A rose to Ruth Rast, honored by the Red Cross” Tenn-Tom Chapter this week as its Volunteer of the Year. Rast was honored for doing everything from working in the chapter”s office to managing an evacuation shelter during Hurricane Gustav. Rast”s volunteering doesn”t end with the Red Cross — she also reads to residents at Trinity Healthcare Center and participates in Angel Food Ministries through Wesley United Methodist Church. We commend Rast for making the Friendly City a much friendlier place.
A rose to Mayor Robert Smith and organizers of the Community Unity Picnic, which, despite blistering heat, brought hundreds of residents to Riverwalk park for entertainment, food and fellowship. The first-of-its-kind event is another welcome effort to bring the citizens of Columbus together. Such events strengthen the community; here”s hoping it catches on and becomes a lasting, annual event.
A rose to the organizers, players, coaches and parents visiting the Golden Triangle this weekend for the Dizzy Dean High School World Series. Seventeen teams from around Mississippi are competing in venues in Columbus, West Point, Starkville, Caledonia and New Hope. We hope you have a good time while visiting, and that our local residents make you feel welcome while you”re here.
A rose to the city of Starkville for plowing ahead on its curbside recycling program. The city received word late last week it was approved for a grant from the state Department of Environmental Quality to purchase bags residents can use to place recyclables curbside. While there isn”t a start date for the program to begin, the city should be lauded for working to make the Golden Triangle a little greener.
A rose to outgoing members of city governments throughout the Golden Triangle. Running for and holding elective office takes a special kind of person — someone heavily involved in his or her community, driven to make a difference for all its people. It can often be a thankless job, making decisions from time to time that seem to please no one (and draw criticism from the pesky media). Still, there are few undertakings that are as noble. Here”s a “thank you” to our leaders who leave office officially next week, and a big “welcome” to those coming in. We appreciate your service.
Know of someone who deserves a rose — or a thorn? Send your nomination to [email protected], and we”ll consider it for a future mention
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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