Quality of Life in Starkville

Skip Descant with the Commercial Dispatch sent an interesting letter to several members of the community asking various questions about the status of Starkville. I thought the questions themselves were rather insightful and plan to not only answer his email but also post my answers here in my next post. But I want to take a moment to ask any readers out there what they think and how they might answer the email below? It seems a good time to reflect on the city and has inspired me to do an annual "state of the city" write up of my own.


Hello Everyone:
The Commercial Dispatch is putting together its annual magazine special section. This year's edition is planned around that often over-used cliche: "Quality of Life"
One of the stories I'm working on explores how effective is this region at planning for the future and how does it compare with other parts of the South and country as a quality place to live...
I'd like to explore some of the various initiatives and changes to public policy that have affected Starkville's quality of life, and also look to you regarding where the city ought to begin focusing attention. My hope is for this to be a fairly public discussion that starts to take a long and well-versed look at planning, development and what sort of community you would like to see this town evolve into.

But here's some of the thoughts and or issues I'd like to explore. (Feel free to toss your own in as well.)

Thinking fairly broadly, what do local towns need to do to plan adequately for the years ahead?

Is Starkville being proactive enough in its plans for the future? We’ve seen some
initiatives stop nearly dead in the tracks: the justice complex or historic
preservation districts. While other issues have moved along a little easier
– i.e. the new trash ordinance and an in-progress landscape ordinance.

But when thinking about outside perception and Starkville growing as a modern community, what changes to public policy should Starkville explore? For example, (and now I’ll really pass the political football,) should the city rethink its aversion to
Sunday beer sales? Should this be an issue for the next set of city elections? Or, what changes to planning and public policy should the citizens and elected officials be thinking about when it comes to moving Starkville forward? Does the city need additional money? Should there be an ad velorem tax increase? Where does resistance come from?

Switching gears somewhat, (but maybe just rephrasing the previous questions,) does Richard Florida’s argument in "Rise of the Creative Class" ring true even in this part of the country? Do folks look to community vibrancy, diversity or creativity as reasons for being in Starkville? (Phrased another way, what about Starkville compared to other places in Mississippi...)
How does Starkville’s community life work to attract or keep residents to this area?
Where does it fall short?

Do you believe many people continue to choose more expensive cities because of their variety of place-related amenities like entertainment or cultural experiences, or even people?
How would you say Starkville ranks against other communities its size in terms of having a variety of different neighborhoods and people, all bringing a variety of experiences?

These are just a few thoughts to kick around. Feel free to address any or all of them. Any responses are greatly appreciated. Don't feel like you have to write a thesis or something. I'm just looking for public discussion.

Thanks again,

Skip Descant
The Commercial Dispatch
Starkville Bureau