Ward 4 in Starkville, known as the “student ward,” will experience a change in leadership after the election in June when current Ward 4 alderman Richard Corey is replaced.
Corey said the ward is called the student ward because it includes areas in the Cotton District and Fraternity and Sorority Row. Because of the large student population, Corey said this district is heavily influenced by students.
“The heavy student population in that district makes it unique from some of the other wards,” he said. “In 2001, Lee Beck was actually elected as a student to represent Ward 4.”
Corey said anyone who resides in the ward he or she wants to represent and is willing to serve for four years is eligible to run for the position of alderman.
“It’s a four-year commitment, and it carries a lot of responsibility,” he said. “As an alderman, you’ll set the city’s $14 million budget and handle things like hiring and firing city employees. You also represent and address the concerns of people in your ward.”
Corey said recent redistricting added more residential areas, such as the Pleasant Acres and Timber Cove subdivisions on South Montgomery Street, to the ward and removed some other areas on South Montgomery Street that were occupied predominantly by students.
“A lot of the student areas are still here in the ward, but it has changed a bit,” he said. “My only concern is it may not be as student dominant as it was.”
Despite the redistricting, Corey said he thinks the ward will continue to emphasize student concerns. He said he hopes the incoming alderman will continue to work with students to improve Starkville-student relationships.
“It’s important to have someone in this position who listens and represents the wishes and concerns of students to the general Starkville public,” he said. “Students are a big part of our population in Starkville, and their voice needs to be heard as well.”
Shelby Balius, Mississippi State University Student Association president, said having a student voice in this position is imperative to continue MSU’s partnership with the city of Starkville.
She said an important issue for students is continuing city funding for student organizations, the Downtown Dawg and events like Bulldog Bash and Old Main Music Festival.
“Those events are made possible by the 2 percent tax allocation we receive from the city and require board approval each year,” she said. “Having a student or student-friendly voice on the board is vital for those issues.”
Parker Wiseman, mayor of Starkville, said another important issue to students in Ward 4 is bike and walk ability of the area.
“This is something the average student seems to be very interested in,” he said. “It’s always been a priority of this board and previous boards, as well. This community over the last 15 to 20 years has developed a much stronger focus on bike ability and walk ability issues. I believe that’s driven in large part by students taking a more active role in the process.”
Balius said students should consider registering to vote in Starkville in order to vote in the city election.
“When you live in an area for four years, you are likely more invested in the policies of that area than back at home,” she said. “Issues that affect daily life are more pertinent to students in those nine months of the year.”
Balius said students should be aware since the election is in June when many students leave Starkville for the summer, students may have to vote by absentee ballot.