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It’s tough to decide who is happier — me or the grandparents. It’s me, of course. Try being apart from your family for five months, a decision we made when I was hired by The Dispatch. I moved over, while Lee and the girls stayed behind to finish school in California.

It’s not every day one has the opportunity to take part in the launch of a new newspaper. Such was the case Monday when, after a three-month gestation, the first issue of The Starkville Dispatch became a reality shortly after 10 a.m.
On March 12, 1922, the occasion of the merger of Columbus’ two papers into The Commercial Dispatch, publisher Birney Imes Sr. offered an editorial, much of it relevant today.
Dear Starkville, My wife Lindsey and I will forever remember Tuesday, June 2, 2009, as a special day. After months of work delivering a vision we believe in for Starkville, you, the people of this community, gave me the opportunity to represent you over the next four years as mayor. We are humbled by your support.
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of the voters and citizens of Columbus for your vote and support this past Tuesday, and for reelecting me to another 4-year term as your mayor.

With less than a month to go in office, Susan Mackay desperately wants to see the realization of one of her political goals, the siting of a recreation complex on the 156 acres of Army Corps of Engineers land adjacent to the Riverwalk and just south of Highway 82.
The recent and unfortunate murder of Dr. George Tiller, an abortionist, who provided late-term abortions in Wichita, Kansas, prompts the writing of this letter.
Tuesday night’s results in the Columbus city election raised a few eyebrows. Most thought Republican Jay Jordan would lose his Ward 5 council seat to Democrat Kabir Karriem. But more than a few were surprised that Republican Susan Mackay was unseated by Democrat Joseph Mickens in Ward 2.
Voters on Tuesday handed pink slips to two incumbents giving the Columbus City Council four new faces. In Ward 5 political activist and restaurant owner Kabir Karriem trounced Republican incumbent Jay Jordan with over 62 percent of the vote. Political newcomer Joseph Mickens ousted Susan Mackay in Ward 2 with a 52-percent margin.
If you live in the city of Columbus, Starkville or West Point, you have a right and a responsibility to fulfill tomorrow; that is to vote.

Columbus-Lowndes Development Link, West Point/Clay County Arts Council, Camgian Microsystems Corp., Wilford and Mary Patterson, Frank Phillips YMCA and the Columbus Kiwanis Club, and Holly Travis

Years ago one of our children had the good fortune to play summer baseball for Joe Dillon. In the 27 years he coached at Propst Park, Dillon became a legend among legends. They’ve since named a field for him. When he coached our son, Dillon was at the helm of a crew of 11-12 year olds called “The Pats,” so named for Pat Patterson, the team’s sponsor.

A rose to Robert McAllister, who “dedicated his life” to helping others and to his family members, many of whom were on hand Thursday, as the Columbus Air Force Base fire station was named in his honor.
I write this as a Roman Catholic Christian, a Roman Catholic Priest, and a citizen of the Columbus, Lowndes County community. Also, may I say that to my recollection, I have never written a public letter of a critical or condemning nature. I do not brag about that, but state it so that you are aware that I have no ax to grind or agenda to advance.
I appreciate the sentiments expressed in your May 21 editorial. The dialogue created by this incident, while at times painful, has been valuable both to the department and the community.
Fifteen days is too long. That’s right, the Columbus City Council went to far when it suspended the Vicksburg 4 — the four Columbus police officers at the center of a misunderstanding at the Vicksburg National Military Park — for 15 days.

“A vision without a plan is a hallucination.” —Thomas Edison On Friday about 15 people spent the afternoon dreaming about the future of Columbus. Leading the conversation was Randy Wilson, who in September will lead the community in something called a charrette.
With city-funded curbside recycling pickup, a “green” city building ordinance, bike and walking paths (and plans for more) and a smoking ordinance, Starkville leads the Golden Triangle in innovative movements.
I can remember riding in the back of a pickup to get to campus. From Main Street, the wreckage already could be seen. Rubble. Twisted metal. Broken glass.
With the punishment of four Columbus police officers Tuesday for their juvenile behavior May 5 at Vicksburg National Military Park, and an apology from the Columbus Police Department, we are hoping all parties can move on.
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1. Our view: Sistrunk is the obvious choice in Starkville DISPATCH EDITORIALS
2. Voice of the people: Gary Holtman LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (VOICE@CDISPATCH.COM)
3. Susan Estrich: An exciting gateway NATIONAL COLUMNS