A rose to members of the Lowndes Community Foundation, Main Street Columbus and other local organizations working to keep the downtown Columbus post office from being closed. The post office is one of 3,653 locations nationwide under review for possible closure. The U.S. Postal Service lost $8.5 billion in 2010 and is considering closing the offices in order to reduce costs. But while they’re looking at hard facts and cold numbers, we see a different reality — a lovely historic building that is a cornerstone of both commerce and community downtown. Bricks and mortar do not tell a structure’s story, and numbers cannot dictate one’s significance. We’ve lost too many of our historic buildings over the years, from the Queen City Hotel to Friendship House. And we implore everyone to match talk with action now to save the downtown post office, before it’s too late.
A rose to Diane Sturges, who has formed a local chapter of Prayers and Squares, an interdenominational quilting group that makes quilts for children and adults undergoing illnesses or other crises. Quilters pray over each knot of the quilt, offering specific prayers for the intended recipient.
A rose to Columbus Municipal School District Teacher of the Year Rashean Hyde, who teaches third grade at Stokes-Beard Elementary in Columbus. Hyde is battling colon cancer, but she said she would be in the classroom every day if her doctors would allow it. Teachers do more than educate children; they provide positive role models for children who lack parental guidance and they shape the future by equipping the adults of tomorrow with the morals and life skills they will need to succeed and prosper.
A bouquet of roses to Dr. Jim Borsig, who began his tenure at Mississippi University for Women this week. Friday, Borsig delivered his first public speech as president, speaking to faculty and staff during the Spring Convocation. Borsig struck the right tone of candor, confidence and wit, impressing many in the audience.
What impressed us most was his appearance at a gallery opening Thursday night at Rosenzweig Arts Center. It’s good to see a university president — especially one so new — embracing the community so quickly. And it was good to see the community embracing him. He was immediately surrounded by a swarm of people wanting to meet him and welcome him to the area. And though it must have been overwhelming, he handled it all with the unflappable grace we witnessed during his interviews. We see good things with Borsig at the helm, and though we’re not the first to say it, we’ll say it anyway: We’re glad he’s here.
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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