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 4 Alderman Jason Walker said this past year he has been most pleased with the city’s ability to sustain economic growth, improving the quality of life for the citizens of Starkville.
He said proper development is a process that takes time and committed leadership, which goes beyond any one Board of Aldermen term.
“Overall I’m pleased that the city remained on the path that makes our community a more desirable place to live and raise a family,” Walker said. “Over the last several years, there have been many initiatives that contribute to our community success.”
Regarding specific projects, Walker said he was pleased to see the completion of the new Starkville Police Department headquarters and for the completion of the Russell Street redesign project.
Although it took time, Walker said it is these types of decisions, which not only improve the city’s overall quality but also its aesthetics and growth.
“Those were two things that were a long time in the making, that finally you get to see the end product and that’s always satisfying,” Walker said.
GOALS FOR THE NEW YEAR
For the new year, Walker said his overarching goal is to continue to support policies and projects to strengthen Starkville’s overall attractiveness.
“I believe our primary objective in accomplishing that goal is for the city to adopt a new unified development code that’s currently under development,” Walker said.
Walker said in his ward specifically, there is “development pressure” to make sure the right decisions are made to benefit each resident’s quality of life.
One topic he said was overlooked this past year was the approval of the capital improvements plan, which will go underway this year.
He said once people can actually see the improvements, they will be pleased with the outcome.
“People will see how important it truly is,” Walker said.
In addition to his current goals, Walker said he will continue to support the continued investment in the city’s infrastructure needs.
One goal, Walker said, is to be a part of the code rewriting process and to focus on next steps in implementing the parks master plan.
“I believe that this year is the year we invest in our parks system to promote improving the health for all people in our community,” Walker said. “I anticipate being out front and really being an advocate for all of those positions.”
BIGGEST ISSUE FOR 2018
Walker said one of the biggest issues the city will face, is if the Mississippi state legislators will renew Starkville’s two percent food and beverage tax.
He is confident it will happen, but because it is out of the city’s hands, it ultimately is important.
“The implications of this decision is paramount one way or the other,” Walker said.
Walker said going into 2018, the annexation study area and the next steps in the process will prove to be one of the larger issues of the year.
“That issue will no doubt be a big issue, that as city leaders and community members that we will be faced with,” Walker said.
Although the code rewrite, capital improvement plan and the development process for Starkville Parks and Recreation are a part of Walker’s goals, he said he also sees them as some of the larger issues for the new year.
“These are my goals, but I think they are also big issues that have long term implications for who we want to be as a city,” Walker said. “I think that all of those have potential to be big issues in this coming year, that undoubtably the Board of Alderman will address.”
PERSONAL RESOLUTION
For Walker’s personal New Year’s resolution, he said he would like to remember what is important, and spend more quality time with his friends and family.
Tomorrow the Starkville Daily News will take a look at Ward 5 Alderman Patrick Miller’s New Year’s resolutions.