Wiseman/Aldermen inauguration plans
June 25, 2009 by SNEditor
Filed under Happening Now, Starkville
The Committee for the Inauguration of Mayor-Elect Parker Young Wiseman and Board of Aldermen-Elect Announces Inauguration Plans
STARKVILLE— The Committee for the Inauguration for Mayor-Elect Parker Young Wiseman and Board of Alderman-Elect announces plans for a day-long inauguration celebration on July 2, 2009. The Committee hopes Starkville residents will come out and join the new city leaders as they prepare to take office and move Starkville forward.
The Inauguration schedule of activities:
9 a.m. Prayer Service
First United Methodist Church, 200 West Lampkin Street
10:30 a.m. Swearing-in Ceremony
Starkville City Hall (front steps), 101 Lampkin Street
**Immediately following ceremony, reception in the Council Chamber
7 p.m. Inaugural Gala
State Theater, 217 East Main Street
**Cash Bar
All inaugural events are free and open to the public. For more information on the inaugural activities visit www.parkerwisemanformayor.com.
Inaugural Prayer Service
July 2, 2009
First United Methodist Church
200 W Lampkin St
Starkville, MS 39759-2812
9:00am
Invocation – Rev. Joey Sherrard
Welcome
Musical Selection
Prayer for the City of Starkville - Rev. Lee Brand
Prayer for the New City Administration - Dr. Danny Rowland
Musical Selection
Word of encouragement - Elder Eddie Lee Jones
Benediction – Dr. Charlie Barnes
Inauguration Ceremony
July 2, 2009
City Hall (Front Steps)
101 Lampkin Street
10:30 am
Order of Service
Invocation
Flag Ceremony
Oath of Office – Aldermen
Oath of Office – Mayor
Mayor’s Address
National Anthems
Benediction
REFRESHMENTS SERVED IN CITY HALL COURT ROOM
The Committee for the Inauguration of Mayor-Elect Parker Young Wiseman and Board of Aldermen-Elect
Cordially invite you and your guests to an
Inaugural Gala
Thursday, July 2, 2009
7:00 p.m. – until
State Theater
217 East Main Street
Attire: Cocktail
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I really would like to get excited about this new administration, but this annoucement shows that they have little interest in the whole community.
To start with, I think it is depolorable that the words “cash bar” are included in the invitation. It also makes me wonder, if you only have to pay for your drinks, is the city paying for the catering at a local bar?
Further, isn’t the inaguration on the city hall steps set for the same time that the children of the church day care centers hold their annual fourth-of-july parade? This further underlines that families (or people over 30) will have little input in the decision-making of this new government.
I would think IF food is being provided at the gala, that the committee raised private funds to handle this. I doubt very seriously that the city is paying for food. Either way, with the party being held at State Theater, I see NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER in having the words “Cash Bar” on the invitation. Actually, I think it’s good in order to quash suspicions the city might be paying for alcohol.
Fact is, there’s no way to make everyone happy
I feel sure the city is paying for the food and individuals will be paying for the drinks. I wouldn’t be surprised to see “Starkville’s finest” on the corner waiting to show the new administration how well they do their part to raise revenue for the city with DUIs (we wouldn’t want them to get out of practice since most of the students are away).
While I can’t claim to speak knowledgeably about the events next Thursday I would guess that since this is the board-elect and not the current board of alderman they do not yet serve in any official capacity and therefore responsibility for these events cannot be laid at their feet. But I’m glad to see you’ll be approaching the new administration with an open mind and are willing to give this board a chance.
Furthermore, I and many others enjoy the freedom to imbibe responsibly in the wonderful fruits of the vine our maker has bestowed up us and I’m more likely to attend this event knowing that drinks will at least be available. Hopefully this board will have the wisdom to swiftly remove some of the abridgments the city currently places on this privilege.
Unfortunately since I’m over 30 my opinion apparently will have little sway with our recently elected officials.
FYI, they are raising money from the private sector for this.
Excerpt from an email sent yesterday:
“While Mayor-elect Wiseman and the Board of Aldermen-elect are excited to get started leading Starkville forward, we would first like to plan an inauguration celebration. In order to have a successful celebration, we need your help. We are asking you to make a small donation of $100, $200, $250 or any amount of your choice to help the Inauguration Committee plan a successful event.”
I am on the planning committee for the event. The gala is being privately funded, the city has nothing to do with this. The Inaugural Gala was meant to be an opportunity for the mayor-elect and alderman-elect to thank their supporters as well as the citizens of Starkville to meet and celebrate with the new Board. We wanted to start on a positive note, but it is sad to see that some people already have a negative opinion of the new Board despite the fact that they have not had any official action to date. Hopefully the majority of Starkville is willing to give the new Board members a chance to settle into their new position before they pass judgment.
As far as the timing of the inauguration…I hate that the timing of this overlaps with a children’s Fourth of July parade, but is that really something to get upset about? I really do not see how this “shows that they have little interest in the whole community.” Seriously?!? This comment is a little bit overboard considering the situation…in my opinion.
Also, the official invitation is the final portion of the original post. The words “cash bar” was included on the press release, not the official invitation.
We just cannot seem to win no matter what we do.
Jeremy,
Don’t take it personal or start whining with the “we” business. Aren’t “we” suppose to all be in this together (that’s what was rammed down our throats the past few months)? I don’t have a problem with your little party or that the agenda reads like our young mayor’s college resume. I can only hope that the average citizen will finally open their eyes and realize that they better pay attention as to how our city business is going to be conducted. To save you from attacking me, I can assure you that I am not a bitter Cox or Henderson supporter, but I am an average citizen that will be watching.
Amazed, June 2nd proved the “average” citizen was watching.
What is the history of inaugural celebrations for the mayor and board of alderman in Starkville?
Amazed, why so bitter? I think the “average” citizen would be willing to give this new administration a chance. Your comments indicate you will sit back and hope for failure rather than directing that energy to help this new group succeed.
Amazed-
Why attack our Mayor’s age in regards to the agenda for Thursday? The vast majority of voters obviously were not concerned with his age.
I commend the organizers for throwing this privately-funded “little party” and for opening it to the public. Maybe this is a sign our new Mayor wants the public more involved in our city government. That, in my opinion, is a good thing.
I am optimistic we will see some positive changes in our community with our new mayor and board. I will watch with an open mind and voice my concerns about valid issues once the new administration convenes.
Thank you GoState04!!
Someone finally gets it! That was pretty much the idea behind the gala. It would be a night where everyone could lay back and enjoy the night without worrying about politics. It would be a night where the newly-elected Board could thank their supporters as well as meet new friends in the community. It would be a night where the families of all the candidates could celebrate and relax after months of sacrificing time, money, and energy on the campaign trail.
Just as GoState said, it is a privately-funded event that is OPEN to the public. Many people have asked me why we are not selling tickets to such an event. And the answer was that the new mayor and Board (and the planning committee) did not want this to be an event only for the Starkville elite, but open to every citizen of Starkville. We realized that many people would not be able to attend (see holiday weekend) and that many would not be interested in such an event (see Amazed), but we felt that it would be a great way to start off the new (political) year on a positive note. We knew that there would be negative feelings towards the gala and that some people would only see the negative impacts of such an event (again see Amazed), but if we only did things that were seen as “positive”, we would never do anything.
So, if you are interested in meeting or congratulating our new mayor or aldermen, please come by the State Theater Thursday night. We would love to have you stop by and enjoy the evening with us. If you do not feel inclined to come, that is fine too. Maybe Robbie will have live Twitter updates of the gala Thursday night that you can follow.
Jeremy
PS: The new mayor and Board had NOTHING to do with the planning or scheduling of the inauguration ceremony Thursday morning. That was the City. So you will have to find another way to show that the new Board hates children’s parades.
I liked with GoState04 said: “I am optimistic we will see some positive changes in our community with our new mayor and board. I will watch with an open mind and voice my concerns about valid issues once the new administration convenes.”
Jeremy Murdock - as a member of the planning committee, you don’t win friends by attacking others regardless of how ridiculous you think the statements are.
Ko,
I hate that it seemed like I was “attacking” anyone. I did not intend to do that at all. I was simply responding to earlier comments directed specifically to me. And please let me put the disclaimer in here that all comments made by me on SN are MY opinions, and NOT those of the committee, mayor-elect, or BoA-elect. I am simply expressing my views as a Starkville citizen and SN reader. I just had knowledge of Thursday’s events that helped clear up some of the misconceptions about the event.
So let me get this straight. The new Mayor hates kids and churches, and the Board will be hosting a cash bar to recoup funds for new roads?
Is that right?
Jeremy,
You seem very much on the attack. Which has to make one wonder about the rest of the committee and the mayor-elect share your views.
Nick,
Maybe children, but with the number of prayers and religious speakers. It seems like other than the cash bar the event is almost a church service.
chad
Seriously?
Again, I apologize for attacking anyone. I have re-read my comments and I really do not see an attack, but apparently it seems like I am being somewhat aggressive. I was simply trying to clear up misconceptions about the events Thursday night and respond to comments directed at me by Amazed. I have been reading and posting on this site for some time now and these types of conversations are very, very common. For some reason I have offended some of you and for that I apologize.
I can assure you that my opinions do NOT, in any way, reflect those of Parker, the BoA, or the planning committee. There were very negative and sarcastic remarks made about certain things that I felt needed to be addressed. I wanted everyone to calm down, relax, and have positive outlook on the upcoming events. Apparently I have accomplished the opposite and for that, I am truly sorry.
I don’t see Jeremy’s response as much as an attack as I do defense. Someone makes ridiculously uniformed statements and he offers knowledgeable correction. I know Jeremy and it is not his personality to attack or intentionally offend anyone.
Jeremy- you have absolutely nothing to apologize for.
The committee took private donations to open this to the public. Everyone is invited. If they want to go to the party, fine. If they don’t want to go, they don’t have to.
Obviously, some people are bitter their candidate(s) lost and don’t want to give our new mayor a fair chance.
There are a couple of aldermen I am concerned about, but I am not going to attack them or undermine them. I’m going to sit back and give the Mayor and Board a fair chance. I whole heardtedly plan to give them credit for the good decisions they make and give them h3!! for any bad decisions they might make. I am not going to attack them for having a party, though- that is ridiculous.
Let’s try this for a change.
Hey Jeremy. Thanks for volunteering to serve as part of the planning committee. Please pass along my thanks to the Mayor and BOA-elect for giving our city the opportunity to meet them and socialize with each other. Furthermore, thanks to all of those private citizens and/or businesses that donated to this cause and are funding this city wide event. I really appreciate everyone’s efforts and generosity to bring the city together.
Attire: Cocktail
are you kidding me?! who in this town has cocktail attire?
this discussion just makes me feel tired all over. it’s a party. you’re invited. come if you want; otherwise stay home.
to assume that this party is a harbinger of the upcoming administration is just ridiculous.
its like me saying that the football team is going to suck because dan mullen stayed out at the bar at the alluvian later than i did. all it means is that for one night, dan went out and had a good time. and for me, it made him seem more human. if this party accomplishes the same for others in the city with our elected officials, then it is well worth it.