A rose to the teachers and staff assigned to English Language Learning Classes in Lowndes and Oktibbeha counties. There are almost 100 students in the two counties’ public schools systems for whom English is not their native tongue. Some speak a little English, some hardly any. For those students, the inability to converse in English is a serious obstacle to acquiring a good education and the life-long benefits that follow. Ours is becoming a far more diverse community than it was even 10 or 20 years ago. That our school districts are taking meaningful steps to make sure that every child has access to an education is consistent with our American ideals. We salute all those who are engaged in this important work.
A rose to Columbus Mayor Robert Smith for his quick decision to comply with the city’s noise ordinance even though it is unclear if the city is bound by the ordinance. When complaints that work crews assigned to renovating City Hall were working two shifts and violating the city statute that says the erection, demolition, alteration or repair of buildings within residential and commercial zones between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays is prohibited, the mayor promised to address the matter. The result: Work on city hall will meet the terms of the code. The mayor’s prompt response was the right thing.
A rose to the Columbus-Lowndes United Way, which held its fourth annual “Little Hands, Big Trucks” event Saturday at the Columbus Soccer Complex. The fund-raiser helps support the many programs offered by the United Way, but it also provides children with an opportunity to do something that kids naturally want to do. For a child, it is often a “look, but don’t touch” world. Not so with this event. Kids were allowed to climb about all sorts of big machinery that is naturally appealing to children — everything from tractors, trucks, fire engines and high powered construction equipment — under professional supervision. Judging by the smiles, Little Hands, Big Trucks is always a smashing success.
A thorn to the East Mississippi Community College football program, which has gone from being the school’s best marketing tool to its biggest embarrassment. EMCC suspended head football coach Buddy Stephens earlier this week after the Lions’ coach was involved in an on-field altercation with a game official during the Lions’ homecoming game on Sept. 26.
It is the second unsavory incident involving EMCC this fall. In August, EMCC signed quarterback De’Andre Johnson, who had been dismissed from the Florida State football team after being charged with battery. A video showed Johnson hitting a woman in the face with his fist at a bar near the FSU campus. While the two incidents are unrelated, they undermine EMCC’s reputation. Now is the time for reflection on the part of the EMCC administration. What sort of program does EMCC want to have? Does the program, as it currently exists, reflect favorably on the school?
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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