A rose to Lowndes County Chancery Clerk Lisa Neese, who has decided not to run for a fifth term this year. When Neese retires at the end of the year, it will mean the end of 36 years of service in the chancery clerk’s office, including 20 years as a deputy clerk. Neese’s cheerful disposition, accessibility and regular presence at almost every county function will certainly be missed. We also applaud other county officials who have chosen not to run again, including sheriff Mike Arledge (eight years as sheriff and 12 years as justice court judge) and supervisor Bill Brigham (eight years). Thanks for your service to our community.
A rose to Amanda Swanton and Mississippi State’s Center for Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach who have teamed up to establish the first non-profit for the center, which serves as a think-tank and business incubator operated through the university’s College of Business. As a 16-year-old, Swanton was diagnosed with an obscure heart condition known as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS and started a non-profit to raise awareness of funding for research. Now as a 20-year-old freshman at MSU, the Illinois native has turned to the Center for Entrepreneurship to establish a POTS chapter in Mississippi. The collaboration, with support from the Partnership, hopes to raise $100,000 this year. It also marks the first time the Center has taken on a non-profit project. We applaud all involved in this worthy cause.
A rose to the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors for approving the funding for a renovation in the county courthouse that will provide defense attorneys a private space in the courthouse to meet with clients. The cost is minimal – $34,000 – but the benefits are real. In our system of justice, defendants are entitled to a fair trial and effective counsel. Providing that space means that the attorney/defendant are provided a secure, private place in the courthouse to discuss their case. We commend the supervisors for understanding that this expenditure furthers the cause of justice in our county.
A rose to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle and trauma surgeon Dr. Brad Beckham for their launch of a program to teach high school students the basics in how to control bleeding during life-threatening situations. On Wednesday, Beckham instructed a group of Heritage High School Anatomy & Physiology students on the Stop the Bleed program, a national campaign launched by the American College of Surgeons. In addition to providing the students with some important information that can be used in emergencies, it also helps students make the connection between what they study in class and the real-world situations. Hospital officials have plans to bring the Stop the Bleed program to all of the schools in the county. That’s a great idea.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.