Roses and thorns
A rose to those candidates who fulfilled what is probably the least pleasant aspect of running for office (aside from concession phone calls, of course) by quickly removing their campaign signage. By law, candidates have two weeks after the election to remove the signs, but we’ve heard reports that many candidates were out picking up signs as early as Wednesday morning.
When signage isn’t picked up in a timely matter, it amounts to little more than visual clutter and says something unflattering about the candidates themselves. So we are grateful for all those who were conscientious enough to remove their signage and encourage other candidates to follow their example.
A rose to everyone who worked behind the scenes during Tuesday’s primary elections, from poll workers to circuit clerk staffs, for whom election day was a 16-hour marathon. By all accounts, the election moved smoothly and much of the credit goes to these workers. Elections are one of the great pillars of our form of government, and those who worked to ensure that Tuesday’s played an essential role in that process. We’ll see you in November for the general election.
A thorn to a proposed amendment made at Tuesday’s city council meeting that would allow Columbus Police Department officers to arrest motorists for having open or previously-opened alcohol containers anywhere in a vehicle’s passenger cabin. While we recognize the seriousness of drinking and driving, we find the proposal is overreaching to the point of infringing on the 4th Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable search and seizure. We have no issue with tough laws on drinking and driving, but feel that the laws on the books are sufficient. Open containers not in possession of the driver do not reach the level of a criminal offense. The mayor and council were wise to table this motion. It should die there.
A rose to Oktibbeha County Hospital Regional Medical Center, which recently received a Hospital Excellence Award at the inaugural Spero Awards presented by Donate Life Mississippi. The Medical Center is one of only nine medical facilities in the state to be recognized for its achievement of national organ donation performance standards. We fully support the hospital’s efforts and encourage the practice of organ donorship. The expression “you can’t take it with you,” should not apply when the organs of the deceased can be used to sustain other lives.
Quote of the week: “I don’t work. I have fun.” — Lowndes County School District vocational director Percy Lee, who has been teaching for 50 years, during Tuesday’s Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce “Educators are Essential” event held at MUW.
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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