A rose to Lee Brand Jr., who recently was sworn as a Starkville School District board of trustees member.
Brand”s appointment draws to a close the political battle that has left the seat open for two months.
Mayor Parker Wiseman vetoed the appointment of Susan Tomlinson, saying the demographic makeup of the board, would not accurately represent that of the school district.
The SSD is 64 percent black, 32 percent white, 2 percent Asian, 1 percent Native American and 1 percent Hispanic. If Tomlinson, who is white, were to serve on the school board, the board would become 80 percent white and 20 percent black.
With Brand, the board of trustees is composed of one female and four males, and two African-Americans and three whites. Four board members are appointed by the alderman and one position, currently held by Keith Coble, is elected to represent the school district outside the city limits.
Roses to the Columbus Police Department and community members who helped to celebrate National Police Week, honoring fallen officers.
The Columbus Police Department has never lost an officer in the line of duty. But Columbus has lost officers in other ways.
The families of officers Tommy King and Ralph Hall, who both succumbed to cancer, were recognized and presented with commemorative items.
Roses to those who carried the “Flame of Hope” during the Columbus Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run to support Special Olympics Mississippi. Representatives from the Mayor”s Office, City of Columbus Human Resources, Columbus Fire Department, Lowndes County Sheriff”s Office, Mississippi University for Women Police Department, 4-H of Lowndes County, Baptist Memorial Hospital Ambulance Service, Columbus-Lowndes County E911 Dispatch, Columbus Municipal Court, Special Olympics of Mississippi Athletes and the Columbus Police Department ran from City Hall to the Municipal Complex for the event.
Roses to area high school graduates. Hundreds of area students have earned their diplomas and will embark on the next step in their journey. Whether that”s college, military or going straight into the workforce, a diploma is a valuable building block. Congratulations on this accomplishment.
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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