The Starkville Daily News will sit down with each member of the Starkville Board of Aldermen, discussing previous and future accomplishments for the city as the new year begins. Our series began with Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver, and will end with Mayor Lynn Spruill.
MOST PLEASED WITH THIS PAST YEAR
Ward 2 Alderman Sandra Sistrunk said this past year she was pleased with how focused the Starkville Board of Aldermen was on approving and implementing policies to improve the city.
“We are willing to look at big issues like a street plan and compensation package,” Sistrunk said.
One aspect of the board Sistrunk said she was most pleased with, was the ability to work together. She said many times, governing bodies talk at one another instead of actually discussing the issue in a productive manner.
“Generally I thought we’ve been collaborative and willing to discuss those issues,” Sistrunk said. “We share a common goal in making Starkville as good as it can be.”
GOALS FOR THE NEW YEAR
Sistrunk said city officials can learn the most from their constituents if they actually go out and speak with them. She said it brings to light certain issues one may not be aware of from just sitting in an office.
“One of my goals is to go back through and walk my ward again,” Sistrunk said. “That’s where you really learn those things.”
In terms of what are some issues she is wanting to address, Sistrunk said the obvious demands come to mind.
“Of course infrastructure is going to lead the list for everybody,” Sistrunk said.
Sistrunk said parks are another issue that leads the community list of wants and needs. She said there is not only a demand for better parks in the area, but also a stronger parks system.
“Not just the local part of it, but for hosting tournaments and those kinds of services,” Sistrunk said. “So that’s something I feel like we will address city-wide.”
Sistrunk also serves as the budget chairman for the board and will look at ways to “chip away” expenditures and to look at the city’s existing debt to help create more spending money for the city and its services.
For example, Sistrunk said she has finished the first round of meetings with each department head to discuss their financial statements on a periodic basis.
“It’s giving us an opportunity to talk about how we manage our money and how we spend our money,” Sistrunk said. “What I want to focus on is to be sure we are being as efficient as possible as we are moving city resources. I think that fits with my role as budget chair.”
BIGGEST ISSUE FOR 2018
Sistrunk said there are many issues and ideas the city will need to address this year, but the biggest issue will always come down to money.
“What services do people want and what are they willing to pay for,” Sistrunk said. “That loops us back to being efficient with the money we have and try to meet as many needs as possible with that money.”
Sistrunk said she thinks the most under appreciated action the board has taken, is the incorporating the capital improvement plan without requiring a tax increase.
She said this project will likely stay under the radar until residents start to see the plan go from a project on paper to actually getting to the point of seeing physical change.
“I don’t know that people realize just yet the impact of the capital improvements plan,” Sistrunk said. “That’s probably one that over time we will look back and go that’s an important thing that we’ve done.”
One thing she said the board is always looking at, is making improvements to every day issues, making the quality life in Starkville better. She said this brings in new members and businesses adding an overall attractiveness for the city.
“I think it all goes hand in hand,” Sistrunk said.
PERSONAL RESOLUTION
For a personal New Year’s resolution, Sistrunk said she would like to eat more fruits and vegetables. Sistrunk laughed saying or as her husband says, eat less and move more.
Sistrunk said she would also like to get out into the community more and participate in community events.
Tomorrow the Starkville Daily News will take a look at Ward 3 Alderman David Little’s New Year’s resolution