What do you believe should be first issues addressed by the new administration?

Now that there will be changes on the Board of Aldermen and in the Mayor's office, what should be the top priorities for the for the upcoming term.

Comprehensive plan?
Municipal Justice Complex?
Convention Center?
Downtown revitalization?
Bike paths and sidewalks?

Covention Center

It is our opinion that the appropriate actions are currently taking place. A convention center is worthy of study due to the perceived need and the potential economic impact. That is exactly what this task force, headed up by the partnership, is doing- determining the feasibility. The economic studies need to be complete, thorough, and conservative in order to prevent a perpetual burden to be buoyed by the taxpayers due to poor planning and overly-anxious leaders. We believe that a public/private partnership should be considered when approaching this project. There are numerous possibilities for private investment in the form of: condominiums, restaurants, retail shopping, office space, etc. We are also of the opinion that this project should be considered and completed (if feasible) in phases. These leaders should take the attitude not to "bite off more than it can chew." While we cannot possibly endorse a location at this stage, we would hope that the leaders of this taskforce would follow up with their goal of keeping it in very close proximity to the university. We would also hope that the finished product would give the community a point of pride both in appearance and function.

(Click here for further discussion about a Convention Center in Starkville.)

Downtown Revitalization

It is our belief that downtowns are the core to any community and Starkville is certainly no exception. Downtowns provide a sense of identity, an object of community pride and a destination for residents and visitors alike. Starkville should embrace the new atmosphere that has been created and take this momentum a step further by implementing some of these ideas. Granted, this plan is a conceptual idea and not all recommendations are feasible; however, the elected officials need to take the initiative to accomplish one or more of these downtown improvements. It is their responsibility to fully educate the public on the need for these improvements, the expected outcome, and how it will be paid for. In the past, some elected officials have tried to demand a tax increase for municipal projects with no public input and without a sufficient sell to the citizens. Lets not make the same mistake again and lose the tremendous potential that this project will bring.

(Click here for more information on Downtown Revitalization in Starkville.)

Non-voting Student Representative on Board of Aldermen

One of the biggest complaints from students throughout the years is their lack of representation in city government. The students sustain this community through ad valorem taxes (either indirectly by rent or directly they own a residence), dining, shopping, and many other of Starkvilles service businesses. Last year, the students sold the leaders on their contribution to the community, and in return, the city fathers granted a portion of the 2% tax to be used by students, for students. Many residents of Starkville feel that students are a nuisance due to the overcrowded roads, loud parties, and the infiltration into neighborhoods; however, those same people will gladly encourage the economic impact that students bring as well as the amenities and events offered at Mississippi State University- which exists because of students. These people want to have their cake and eat it too, but that is a unreasonable attitude to have in this diverse community and will lead to further problems. There needs to be added levels of respect from both students and non-students throughout the community. We feel that students, being an integral part of this town, should have their opinions and perspectives expressed to our city leaders. This can be achieved by a SA president appointed, non-voting student member of the board of aldermen and will help bridge the gap that currently exists. While we encourage any and all to run for public office, it is our opinion that when students win a seat on the city board, it can backfire as it has in former elections and administrations. It is unfortunate but a fact that a student serving on the board of aldermen will not garner the respect and support from the business community or the populous that is so crucial in progressive leadership. The students should organize and vote for a student-friendly candidate that can serve as a bridge between the students and the residents. This coupled with an articulate, open-minded, progress-oriented student sitting on the board will give the students the voice it deserves.

Starkville's Downtown Plan

(To view a picture of the plan, click here. You may want to click on the image to zoom in.)

STARKVILLE, Miss.--Six Mississippi State landscape architecture graduate students recently completed a 15-week challenge to "re-think" the look of downtown Starkville and make recommendations to enhance both its appearance and economic development potential.

The semester-long project directed by landscape architecture professor Pete Melby was commissioned by the Starkville Downtown Business Association and involved detailed fact-gathering and analysis of current conditions, as well as focus group meetings to solicit feedback and ideas. While an educational project, the participating students said they feel it has the potential to come to life.

"We think we have ideas that will make downtown Starkville more economically viable, more visually unified, and more family-friendly," said Eric Stortz of Jackson, the project's coordinator.

The results, which the students titled the "Old Main District," were presented to the merchants' association, which agreed there's much in the plan to think about. SDB president Steve Langston of Sullivan's Business and Office Supply and Sammy Smith of Smith and Byars clothiers provided feedback to students throughout the project and helped coordinate community meetings.

"We were looking for new ideas and the students developed some suggestions we'd never even thought about," Langston said.

Among them is a proposed government center that fronts Jefferson Street. Landscaping, improved parking and a possible stage area for concerts would give a visual "center" to the complex and provide an anchor for a northern sector of the community.

Langston said he and other merchants agree a needed element now missing from downtown Starkville is "upper-end living in the downtown area." Noting that many communities now provide downtown condominiums and other living opportunities, he said, "We've actively been seeking investors to develop properties that would appeal to Mississippi State alumni, retirees and others."

He added: "The student team gave us some good ideas for how to accomplish a residential area."

Among other parts of the master plan that could be phased in over time are: the addition of Main Street plantings to create areas friendly to pedestrians; a Main Street turnaround and clock tower to provide a visual "end" to the street; expanded bicycle paths to link downtown with the Mississippi State campus; a Museum District with a park and lake; and the addition of signage to clearly mark the Old Main District.

"It's a long-term plan and gives us something to guide our thinking," Langston said. "Some things could be accomplished fairly quickly, while others give us a start in planning ahead."

He said the merchant group would continue to meet with city officials and others in the community, including downtown property owners. "Having a plan is a major step in moving ahead," he said.

Melby described the project as "a marvelous challenge" for his students. "They became confident and learned the process for solving problems," he said.

Observing that his students traditionally have taken on projects for communities around the state, he added, "We thought it was important to do this for our own community and give something back to Starkville."

In addition to Stortz, other members of the MSU graduate student team were Paul Boals of Cedar Grove, Tenn., Paul Lanning of Memphis, Tenn., Gene Miller of Starkville, Hollye Raines of Decatur, Ala., and Ying Zhang of China.

Starkville Voters Get No Say in $5 Million Bond Issue

Mayor Mack Rutledge called three times Tuesday for a second to Alderman at Large Vic Zitta's motion.

Three times, the board was silent. Zitta's motion was dead. Zitta had asked that the city thoroughly investigate the petition review process that ultimately killed any chance for a public referendum on the justice complex issue. A few minutes later, after hearing pleas from about a dozen Starkville residents in support of a more thorough investigation, the board voted to sell $5 million in bonds to the federal government to fund the justice complex project.

Barring extraordinary circumstances, Starkville is getting a new police station and municipal court at the Miss. Highway 25 Bypass.

We're glad the Starkville Police Department is getting a new, much-needed facility, but we're a little disturbed by the process that led to the city's decision. Starkville residents are going to have to pay for the complex, and they should have been given a say in how much it should cost and whether to build it near Wal-Mart, in the middle of town or at any other possible location.

The city's actions through the ordeal in response to citizen concerns were coarse. City attorney Katherine Kerby batted down citizens' questions stone-faced Tuesday night. The board was silent through Zitta's calls for a more thorough investigation, only speaking up to correct Zitta when they thought he was in error. After Zitta requested Feb. 1, without making a motion, that the board investigate the petition review process, 21 names that had been erroneously removed from the petition were added back on, leaving it just 64 names short of forcing a referendum. A more thorough investigation could have revealed that 64 more names had been erroneously removed, or that none had.

Whatever the case, the issue is moot now. But we're betting it won't be forgotten on Election Day.

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Promoting Progress While Preserving Starkville's Small-town Charm
Promoting Progress While Preserving Starkville's Small-town Charm