A rose to Sarah Sepaugh of Starkville for her efforts to preserve the city of Starkville”s support of the library.
Sepaugh, a home-schooled high school senior, presented aldermen with a petition signed by 728 people who were opposed to cutting funding to the Starkville Public Library. Sepaugh and 15 to 20 other area teenagers walked around Mississippi State University last weekend collecting signatures.
Sepaugh then attended the Board of Aldermen meeting to present the petition and argue her case, touting the library as a place for education, fun, resources such as computers and books and a safe haven for kids trying to stay out of trouble.
It”s refreshing to see a person of her age not only see the value in funding the public library but also making a public stand for what she believes in.
A thorn to Columbus Sen. Terry Brown for being so misinformed on the effects of the BP oil spill on tourism along the Gulf Coast. Brown told Columbus Rotarians Tuesday that business is booming and hotels are full. But the Coast itself has a different story to tell, as businesses scramble to draw tourists. Additionally, a report from the Oxford Economics projects the disaster could cost the region $22.7 billion by 2013. With a $500 million infusion from BP to promote tourism, they estimated that figure could drop to $15.2 billion, and travel to the Coast could take until 2013 to rebound. As a lawmaker, we expect Brown to stay informed, so he can both keep us informed and make sound decisions.
A rose to Andy Harkness, formerly of Starkville and a graduate of Starkville High School, who won the Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation at the 62nd annual Creative Arts Primetime Emmy Awards, Aug. 21 in Los Angeles, as art director for Walt Disney Animation Studios” “Prep and Landing,” a holiday special which aired on ABC.
Andy is an art director and visual development artist for Walt Disney Studios in California. His parents are Dr. John and Jenny Harkness of Starkville, and Ellen Butz of West Lafayette, Ind.
“Prep and Landing” also won the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program.
Roses to Columbus High students Jasmine Butler and Shanique Ousley, who joined the home run hitters club, Thursday night.
Butler had a grand slam and five RBIs; Ousley had a two-run home run to lead the Columbus High School slow-pitch softball team to a 19-3 victory against Starkville High in a Class 6A, Region 1 game.
The home runs were the first of the season for Butler and Ousley and the first time Columbus had multiple home runs in a game this season.
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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