A rose to everyone who helped make Thursday’s Relay for Life Charity basketball game at Columbus High School a rousing success. Although sponsored by The Dispatch, the event could not have been staged without the help of so many – including Columbus Mayor Robert Smith, the staff and administrators of the Columbus Municipal School District for use of the gym, Falcons coach Sammy Smith and his team, the CHS dance team the Columbus Police Department for providing security and, of course, the more than 300 who turned out for the game. It was so successful, in fact, that we hope to make this an annual part of our Relay For Life effort.
A rose to heavyweight boxing champion Deontay Wilder and the organizers who brought him to Columbus Middle School Thursday. Wilder spoke forcefully and eloquently to area middle schoolers about the importance of making a determined commitment to success and was most gracious in dealing with the kids, sticking around until every autograph-seeker had been satisfied. Wilder, a Tuscaloosa native, who fought his second professional fight at Trotter Convention Center, was brought in by a committee that included Glenn Lautzenhiser, Greg Andrews and Rufus Ward. Wilder’s story of rising from poverty to champion is certainly a story that resonated with the students.
A thorn to the Lowndes County Democratic Executive Committee, for their conduct in dealing with a complaint from Supervisor Leroy Brooks that his opponent this fall, city councilman Marty Turner, did not live in the district and should be removed from the ballot. The group conducted what appeared to take on the tone of a kangaroo court on March 17, allowing Brooks to bring up private matters involving Turner that had nothing to do with the residency issue. The board voted 8-2 to remove Turner from the ballot, but after Turner challenged that ruling in court, Brooks rescinded the complaint and the LCDEC voted Monday to return Turner to the ballot, a move that raised eyebrows when the two members who had not voted to remove Turner on March 17 were not informed of the Monday meeting. Given what we have seen, this body appears to be nothing more than a F.O.L. (Friends of Leroy) club. This sort of thing undermines the board’s legitimate role in selecting and qualifying Democratic candidates for local elections.
A rose to Mississippi University for Women, which concludes its homecoming festivities today. Chartered in 1884 as The Industrial Institute and College, it was the first state-supported college for women in the nation. Over the years, the university has changed and grown but one constant has been its tremendous contributions in the field of education and the importance the school has played in our community. Homecoming gives us all a chance to welcome back all those students, friends and supporters. Now, 131 years after The W first opened its doors, the university remains a point of pride for our community.
A rose to Main Street Columbus for a successful kickoff to another season of Noon Tunes. For the next three Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., people will enjoy local music while munching on food for purchase in the Trotter Courtyard.
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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