Thoughts on the Economic Development Luncheon

I had mixed feelings concerning the luncheon we had regarding economic development in the M-Club building on campus. The University was gracious enough to host the event with several people from the community in attendance. My biggest personal complaint would have to be that it seemed too much like it was patting ourselves on the back. The comments were almost glowing without addressing the pitfalls we still need to overcome. Numerous awards were given out for no real reason. Another criticism arose from Steve Rogers who writes a column for WCBI in Columbus. [link to story, scroll halfway down] His opinion was, given that one of the recurring statements made was our need to embrace regionalism, we didn't have anyone from the region at the event (Clay, Lowndes Counties for example)

On a positive note, I do believe the event was a great refresher course for the county in trying to keep us all on the same page on what needs to be done. Five very renowned speakers gave brief talks about what we should do. To recap some:

Gray Swoope (Executive Director - Mississippi Development Authority) brought up 5 points:
1. Define what determines success
2. Give professionals the tools they need and don't keep changing our agenda for them
3. MSU will continue to play an even greater role in economic development
4. Strategic planning is a must, but useless if its not implemented
5. Teamwork is vital

Phil Paradice (Regional Director, Atlanta - Economic Development Administration) mentioned that investors don't want to go to areas that don't have clear, concise strategic plans and introduced Bobby Dennis who is the EDA representative for the area.

Del Boyette (President - Boyette Levy, Inc.) advised that we keep in mind that Starkville is different from much of the rest of the state largely due to the University and that therefore our opportunities will be different. He went on to say that the state of Mississippi itself loses if MSU/Starkville don't get along because many of the higher tech industries that come to this state will likely want to come here. He also said we should adapt our strategy with the times and economy and that we should focus on the TAP study recommendations. *more on that below

John Bradly (Senior Vice President - TVA Economic Development) suggested we establish a series of benchmarks to mark progress towards our goals.

Blake Wilson (Executive Director - Mississippi Economic Council) also gave a talk towards the end; however, by that time the event had gone overtime and I had to leave early.

At our table was a document outlining the recommendations of the TaP (Targeted and Prepared) study. This was done in conjunction with TVA. When the study is brought up, it's often stated that we were selected out of 47 communities for this. While on the surface that sounds great, in actuality the reason a community is selected for this type of study is because they aren't performing up to their potential, which is something I believe we should be mindful of. The study outlined several recommendations, which I'm including in a PDF format for reading and download. [TaP Recommendations] (And here is another document from a previous event with some notes) [Previous Econ Development Handout]

I like what an economic development group in Tupelo did. They had a series of goals they wanted to achieve, so they printed them out on a large poster size document, framed it, and put it on their wall so they were reminded each and everyday of what they were working towards. I think they even marked off the ones they accomplished. Gray Swoope said it best himself when he said that the best plan in the world won't do any good without implementation, which, given we now have a recommended plan from the TaP study, should have been the theme of the event.

Economic Development Conference / Next Infrastructure Meeting

Today at 11am we had a meeting conducted by the University in conjuction with the Partnership. All of the aldermen, supervisors, committee of 100 members, and several university representatives were invited. We had a good overall turnout and listened to five very informative speakers. I'll have a recap of the meeting in a post tonight or tomorrow along with some of my notes from the event.

In other news, the Infrastructure Committee is having another meeting at City Hall on Monday, July 14th, at 4pm. I guess they didn't wrap up everything on their agenda in time for the meeting next week and want to get those issues resolved.

Committee Meetings this Week

There are three committee meetings scheduled for this week at City Hall. They are:

7/8 - Infrastructure Committee
4pm, City Hall
They're going to be discussing revising the false alarm ordinance after complaints from a number of entities around town. This needs to be done, while the idea of trying to cut back on false alarms is a good one, the particular implementation has resulted in businesses feeling unjustly targeted. A good example is the animal shelter, which got sited for false alarms even when people snuck on their property to drop off animals after-hours. The intrusion set off the alarm and the shelter's defense was that it was a legitimate use of the alarm and they shouldn't be penalized for it.

7/9 - Recycling Committee
4pm, City Hall

7/10 - Technology Committee
3:30pm, City Hall
This is my committee and we'll be discussing the issue of adding bandwidth at city hall (to accommodate increased usage in part through our new police vehicle computer system) and the software used in the city clerk's office. A lot of people don't know that the clerks use 3 different pieces of software, one of which is so old it's on one of the old monochrome monitors. Conslidating the three into one will save time and give them greater flexibility when generating reports and other matters of the city.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Independence Day weekend! I have spent the time with my family in Columbus. The previous week has been a difficult one, my car broke, my phone broke, and I became sick and unable to attend our Board of Alderman meeting on Tuesday. Since then I've been feeling better, replaced the car battery which was dead, and have a temporary phone so hopefully I can catch back up on the activities of the past week. Of particular interest to me is the Beautification Committee's interest in the revitalization of 182. I have heard from enough people who saw 182 as their first sight upon driving into Starkville and that is not the kind of impression we should leave with people new to the city. I plan to follow up with a more detailed series of suggestions to implement the recommendations of the Beautification Committee.

TIF Bonds

There is another development coming before the board seeking TIF bond assistance at our next meeting. Separate from the proposed mall/multi-use project by Russell/Spring St, this development will be towards improving and adding on to the shopping center on Hwy 12 where Hudson's Dirt Cheap is located as well as developing the empty lot next to it where the old Coke building used to be. Included in the development is new retail and grocery. I don't have any plans to post just yet; however, as soon as I do I'll share them.

With this talk about TIF bonds for 2 projects now I think I'll do a write up on just what the TIF bond process is. In the meantime there is a wikipedia entry about the concept.

Wikipedia TIF Link

Resolution Regarding the MSU Presidental Selection Process

A JOINT RESOLUTION BY AND BETWEEN THE OKTIBBEHA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, FORMALLY REQUESTING THAT THE MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING MAKE THE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTAL SEARCH PROCESS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

WHEREAS, the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors, Mayor of the City of Starkville, and Board of Aldermen of the City of Starkville, believe it is in the best interest of the public to have an open search process for selecting the next President of Mississippi State University; and

WHEREAS, the best way to insure a healthy, productive, and long-lasting Presidency at Mississippi State University is to encourage and facilitate as much public support as possible; and

WHEREAS, the selection of Mississippi State University’s next President will have an immeasurable impact on the lives of each and every fair citizen of our respective jurisdictions, whether they are the University’s students, faculty, staff, or other members of our community not directly affiliated with the University; and

WHEREAS, the selection of Mississippi State University’s next President will have a significant and lasting economic impact on our region as a whole, will shape the futures of people across the Great State of Mississippi, and will affect the University’s reputation nationally;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE OKTIBBEHA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, that the aforementioned legislative bodies, representing the public interest of Oktibbeha County and the City of Starkville, Mississippi, hereby formally petition the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning to conduct a more open and inclusive search process in the selection of the next President of Mississippi State University.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE OKTIBBEHA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, that the aforementioned legislative bodies also hereby formally petition the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning to, and at the very least, make the final list of candidates to be considered during the search process known to the public before the next President of Mississippi State University is selected.

Upon the motion of Supervisor _______________, duly seconded by Supervisor _______________, that the Resolution be adopted, a roll call vote was taken which resulted as follows:

Supervisor Carl Clardy Voted:

Supervisor Marvell Howard Voted:

Supervisor Daniel Jackson Voted:

Supervisor Orlando Trainer Voted:

Supervisor John Young Voted:

Upon the motion of Alderman _______________, duly seconded by Alderman _______________, that the Resolution be adopted, a roll call vote was taken which resulted as follows:

Alderman Richard Corey Voted:

Alderman Matt Cox Voted:

Alderman Sumner Davis Voted:

Alderman Rodney Lincoln Voted:

Alderman P.C. McLaurin, Jr. Voted:

Alderman Roy A. Perkins Voted:

Alderman Janette Self Voted:

Adopted this the __________ day of _______________, A.D., 2008, at the Regular Meeting of the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors and this the __________ day of _______________, A.D., 2008, at the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Starkville, Mississippi.

___________________________ ____________________________

John Young, Board President Monica Banks, Chancery Clerk

Oktibbeha County, Mississippi Oktibbeha County, Mississippi

(SEAL)

______________________________ ______________________________

Robert D. Camp, Mayor Markeeta A. Outlaw, Clerk

City of Starkville, Mississippi City of Starkville, Mississippi

(SEAL)

MSU Presidental Selection Process Part 3

Most people who know me personally know that I'm not in favor of the Institute of Higher Learning's new process of keeping even the final candidates for MSU president secret until one was decided. This new process was started for the first time 2 1/2 years ago when previous MSU president Charles Lee left. Previously the final candidates were taken to campus and the community as a whole had a real chance to meet the people who may be one of our future leaders. Starkville is what it is today largely because of the university and I believe it to be undeniable that the person selected for that position has a huge influence on the future growth and development of the entire area.

I remember voicing this concern to the Commissioner of the IHL, Dr. Tom Meredith. I was met with rather sharp words in response. It was a reminder to me of a warning a friend once gave. My friend advised that I always take a friend with me into meetings, so that there will always be another person there to bear witness to what is said.

I also remember going to the location of the IHL meetings where the final candidates were being interviewed. I remember sitting outside while they had sheets hung up so no one could see inside the hall leading to the room of the meetings. I remember someone telling me some candidates were being brought up the fire escape so no one would see them. And I remember thinking the entire ordeal was ridiculous. So I sat outside those meetings for two days as a symbolic gesture of how the public in general was being shut out. A one man silent protest is not exactly the most exciting thing in the world.

When Fogelsong was selected and taken to campus to meeting with groups, I mentioned to him that my problem (at the time) wasn't with him, but with the selection process. By the time he was taken to campus everyone knew the deal was done and I doubt any complaints from the groups that met him would have made a difference. Plus it's difficult to get to know someone in such a short time.

When the city interviews candidates for a job, they're always public. And I think we have some fine employees so I fail to see how making the final candidates secret somehow diminishes the quality of applicants.

My next post will be a resolution I've drafted that I plan to present to the board of supervisors and the board of aldermen. Hopefully both groups will pass the resolution and we can make a real lasting statement.

Presidental Search Process - Take 2

So here we are again in the process of seeking a president for MSU. Below is a press release from the Institutes for Higher Learning, IHL, detailing their plans to have the search committee visit campus and compile a list of desired job qualifications from various MSU groups. Below that is also a link to the IHL website where people from the general public can submit their own ideas. I noticed the recurring use of the word transparency in their press releases. I imagine they're still reeling from some of the negative attention gained last time by having a totally secretive search process. Indeed, continually using the word transparent to describe that process is a bit reminiscent of 1984 doublespeak.


BOARD SEARCH COMMITTEE TO MEET WITH MISSISSIPPI STATE CONSTITUENCY
GROUPS

Jackson, MS-The Board Search Committee for the next president of
Mississippi
State University, chaired by Trustee Scott Ross, along with
Commissioner of
Higher Education Dr. Thomas C. Meredith, will meet with various
Mississippi
State constituency groups on Monday, April 28, 2008, beginning at 7:45
a.m. in
the Hunter Henry Center on the Mississippi State campus, 1 Hunter Henry
Boulevard, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, to hear what qualities the
Mississippi State community is looking for in their next university
president.
These qualities will be used to draft the profile and job description
for the
position of president at Mississippi State University. Members of the
Mississippi State Board Search Committee include Committee Chair and
Trustee
Scott Ross of West Point; Trustee Ed Blakeslee of Gulfport; Trustee
Aubrey
Patterson of Tupelo; Trustee Robin Robinson of Laurel; and Trustee C.
D. Smith
of Meridian. All meetings are open to the media. The schedule, subject
to
change, is below:

7:45-8:45 a.m.: Breakfast and listening session with Vice Presidents
and
Athletic Director; Shackouls Room, Hunter Henry Center

9:00-9:45 a.m.: Listening session Deans and Associate Deans; Parker
Ballroom;
Hunter Henry Center

9:45-10:30 a.m.: Listening session with Faculty Senate Advisory Group;
Parker
Ballroom; Hunter Henry Center

10:30-11:15 a.m.: Listening session with Academic and Non-Academic
Department
Heads; Parker Ballroom; Hunter Henry Center

11:15 a.m.-noon: Listening session with General Faculty; Parker
Ballroom;
Hunter Henry Center

12:15-1:10 p.m.: Lunch and listening session with the Bulldog Club
Board of
Directors; Correro Room, Hunter Henry Center

1:15-1:45 p.m.: Listening session with Professional and Support Staff
Advisory
Council and Staff Members; Parker Ballroom; Hunter Henry Center

1:45-2:30 p.m.: Listening session with the Division of Agriculture;
Parker
Ballroom; Hunter Henry Center

2:30-3:15 p.m.: Listening session with MSU Alumni Association Board of
Directors; Parker Ballroom; Hunter Henry Center

3:15-4:00 p.m.: Listening session with MSU Alumni, Community Leaders,
and
General Public; Parker Ballroom; Hunter Henry Center

4:00-4:30 p.m.: Listening session with MSU Foundation Board of
Directors;
Shackouls Room; Hunter Henry Center

4:30-5:00 p.m.: Listening session with Undergraduate and Graduate
Student
Leaders and General Student Body; Parker Ballroom; Hunter Henry Center

*All sessions in Parker Ballroom will be webcast; link to be provided
on
Mississippi State main web page closer to April 28.
**Interactive video links and locations will be provided to
MSU-Meridian, MSU-
Extension, and MSU-MAFES employees on the Mississippi State main web
page
closer to April 28.

Members of the general public interested in submitting their ideas on
the
qualities of the next president of Mississippi State may do so by
visiting
http://www.mississippi.edu/ieo. The Board of Trustees of State
Institutions of
Higher Learning's institutional executive officer search process allows
Mississippi to be on the consideration list of the highest caliber
professionals in higher education. The process is open, transparent and
representative-based, and works in accordance with today's recruitment
standards for high-level institutions of higher learning. For more
information
on the Board's institutional executive officer search process,
including a
timeline of events, visit http://www.mississippi.edu/ieo/.

1% Food/Bev/Hotel Tax

Readers of this blog may be confused to see that, after raising some concerns in my mind in the previous post that I voted, along with the board, to petition the legislature to allow the 1% tax to come up for an election. The board voted 6-0, with Alderman Perkins leaving before the discussion for no provided reason, to proceed with bringing the issue up. There's the potential for some rather significant development to come out of the project, which could make a serious impact on the city's budget and therefore allow more money to be put towards streets and other issues. I think that since it's up for a public election anyway, after time goes by and the proposal is brought before the public it would be worthwhile to see if the citizens of Starkville are willing to support such an endeavor. I, as a voter too, find myself asking the same questions.

Board Meeting Tonight

We have a number of items to discuss at tonight's board of alderman meeting. One item on the agenda is the municipal complex, which is long overdue for more discussion and, more importantly, action. Second is a item of increasing our hotel/food/bev tax by 1% to be earmarked towards a convention center. Now, I would really like to have a convention center, but this is the first move towards that I've heard and I'm not sure this is the step we should take. My biggest concern is that, as nice as having one would be, it seems like a secondary issue compared to the problems we are facing with our streets and drainage. I was knee deep in water a month ago when it rained and flood someone's house. If we were to go up on that tax at all, I'd personally rather see it earmarked towards streets or another critical area, and fund the convention center through some other means. Perhaps through some public/private partnership between the city/county/university and an investment firm. I'm not convinced yet, but I'm certainly willing to listen to any input from readers of the blog and people in attendance at tonight's meeting.