The Mississippi State University Student Association’s Community Relations committee sat down to a roundtable discussion with Starkville’s Board of Aldermen Monday night to express gratitude and exchange ideas. “We wanted to thank them for all of their efforts since there has been tremendous growth and we also had ideas to share,” SA director of community relations Claire Hardin said.
The informal Harvey’s dinner was a time for these groups to communicate and develop an even better relationship.
“We feel it’s necessary that these two groups work together to continue building a positive relationship,” Hardin said.
The discussion began with SA President Parker Wiseman, Hardin, co-chairman Thomas Gregory and 20 committee members expressing their appreciation for all of the help from the mayor and aldermen.
Kristi Brown, vice president of Chamber and Community Development, along with Mayor Mack Rutledge and five aldermen shared a little bit about themselves and their perspective of the MSU-Starkville relationship.
“Of course I am pro-MSU and pro-student,” Ward 2 Alderman Frank Davis said. “We are reaching the students, and they are reaching us, and this is the best relationship we’ve had in years.”
Shortly after the aldermen’s comments, the floor was opened for questions and answers.
Gregory did the research and broke down the numbers on the food and beverage tax. He to ask ed Brown, Rutledge and aldermen if students benefit from any of that taxation.
“We were told that when these taxes are in place it will very much increase the economic growth in Starkville,” Brown said.
Brown said Parks and Recreation receives 40 percent of that revenue, and students who live in Starkville have access to these facilities. Another area that receives some of the revenue is the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
“The purchase of the banners on University Drive is partially funded by the CVB and in turn is beneficial to MSU students,” Brown said.
“If students are going out to eat, this is a small investment in the community and an easy way for students to give back to Starkville,” Brown said. “It is only two cents of every dollar.”
Several SA committee members also requested that another street party similar to Bulldog Bash be held in the spring to celebrate graduation.
No one made concrete plans at the meeting, but the city leaders in attendance were optimistic about the idea.
Committee member Lori Sabbatini asked Davis about having the city fund a student survey to find out how students feel and what they would like to see happen with the MSU-Starkville relationship.
“We need to have this done so students can inform the city board about what they want to see,” Davis said. “That kind of information is useful to us in short-term and long-term planning.”
“I thought it was an incredible gesture from the SA to have this dinner,” Brown said. “Never before have I experienced that kind of openness with the students as I did Monday.