A rose to all those who are entrusted with the important work of educating our children. Next week, schools in the Golden Triangle begin in earnest, so this seems like the appropriate time to offer our support for teachers, administrators and staff as the new school year begins. The beginning of the school year is time of promise and potential and we are mindful that every year is a pivotal year for some students. All of us can recall a year, a teacher, a class or an opportunity that proved to be transformative in our lives. It is with that anticipation that we salute all those who help guide our children through such an important phase of their young lives.
A rose to Yokohama Tire Company for partnering with playground manufacturer KaBOOM!, the city of West Point and group of volunteers in bringing a new playground facility to Marshall Park near downtown West Point. West Point was awarded the grant from Yokohama’s charity fund. The playground equipment, which will be installed on a single day in October by volunteers, is the third playground Yokohama has partnered with KaBOOM! to build. KaBOOM! is a Washington, D.C., based nonprofit dedicated to providing safe playing spaces for children, particularly in low-income areas. We applaud Yokohama’s effort to build bonds with the community through this project.
A rose to consultant K.B. Turner, for his thorough — and sometimes candid — report on the state of the Columbus Police Department. Turner was hired by the city in January to conduct an examination of the police department and make recommendations based on what he learned. His long-awaited report clearly indicates that Turner was thorough, talking extensively with city, police and community members and using that information as the basis for his recommendations. We believe the report will be a useful tool for the city as it plots the future of the city’s police department.
A rose to Columbus native Leslie Frazier, who was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Saturday in Jackson. A three-sport star at Lee High in the mid-1970s, Frazier compiled an impressive record as a player, first at Alcorn State and then with the Chicago Bears, where he helped the team to the NFL title in 1985. He has also enjoyed success as a coach. Today, Frazier is the defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, the seventh stop in his 19-year NFL coaching career. Apart from the professional resume, Frazier has proven the be down-to-earth and approachable, someone who is genuinely interested in others. Good athletes are not always good people. In Frazier’s case, the man is as outstanding as his credentials. We are proud to claim him as one of our own.
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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