Win $50! Play CASHWORDS, See page 5A ESTABLISHED 1879 | COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI C DISPATCH.COM FREE! MONDAY | JULY 20, 2015 Golden Triangle mayors talk flag issue on the issue, but he could bring er spent all public Several municipalities have removed Miss. it up at Tuesday’s council meet- the money buildings ing. on a sec- from sun- state flag from official buildings Starkville Mayor Parker ond flag rise to sun- BY ANDREW HAZZARD church last month has prompt- Wiseman said this morning pole. set; how- [email protected] ed widespread discussion about that no action has been taken Missis- ever, the displaying Old South symbols by aldermen. sippi vot- state flag Columbus Mayor Robert on public property. The man In West Point, no discussion ers chose Smith Robinson Wiseman may be Smith says he plans to discuss charged in the shootings had needs to be held. to keep a displayed with councilmen the possibili- posed with the Confederate “We’ve never flown the state Confeder- from all public buildings 24 ty of removing the Mississippi battle flag in photos posted on- flag here,” Mayor Robbie Robin- ate battle emblem on the state hours a day if properly illumi- flag from city buildings. line before what police say was son said this morning. flag in 2001, but that election nated.” “I think it’s time for a a racially motivated attack. The town has exclusively did not equate to a universal A separate section of law change,” Smith told The Dis- The flag has been removed flown the American flag at its embrace of the banner. says: “The flag of the State patch this morning. “It should in several Mississippi cities and city hall for as long as Robinson A section of Mississippi law of Mississippi and the flag of have been changed long ago.” towns. can remember. He said the city makes flying the state flag op- the United States shall be dis- The killing of nine black wor- Smith said he has yet to ask has only flown the American tional, not mandatory: “The played in close proximity to shippers at a South Carolina councilmen where they stand flag historically because it nev- state flag may be displayed from See FLAG, 3A DAY CAMP AT THE W City begins comprehensive planning process Public meetings scheduled this week BY CARL SMITH [email protected] Efforts to develop a new comprehensive plan for Starkville begin this week as the city is hosting two public meetings. Starkville’s Comprehensive Plan Advisory Panel met today at 11 a.m., and a public hearing with plan- ners will be held 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at City Hall. In June, aldermen approved a contract for services with the Walker Collaborative LLC, and the Ten- nessee-based firm, along with multiple contractors across the Southeast, will develop a long-range plan for the community. Planners will visit Starkville and analyze core aspects of the city — infrastructure, economy and housing, for example — and develop a strategy for growth into the next decade. The city also tasked planners to develop new sub- division and zoning ordinances that will be “unified and simplified” according to the company’s proposal. Community Development Director Buddy Sand- ers said Tuesday’s meeting will allow residents to meet planners for the first time and offer any com- ments as they begin their work. Consultants are scheduled to return Aug. 11-12 Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff to meet with community groups and receive input Hope Whitfield, left, and Phillip Gandy, 14, play foosball at Mississippi University for Women’s Stark Rec- on growth issues. Planning charrettes and concept reation Center during a day camp program full of activities. Attendees were able to swim, play basketball, make arts and crafts and much more Thursday. Phillip is the son of Phyllis Gandy, of Columbus. See PLANNING, 3A Palmer Home children get chance to think about future MSU program for kids from children’s home helps them decide on paths following high school graduation BY ISABELLE ALTMAN The students were part of a program [email protected] called LeaderState. Approximately 12 students spent five days living in dorm It’s a classic question from adults rooms, touring businesses and inter- to kids: “What do you want to be when acting with special guest speakers Palmer Home you grow up?” from a variety of professions. All the for Children High school students from Palmer students at events and activities were designed to Home for Children, a Columbus-based LeaderState get the teens thinking about their fu- organization that provides homes for meet in Mag- kids who need them, got the chance to tures. nolia Hall on start thinking about the answer to that Jeremy Beavers, director of Chil- the Mississippi State Univer- question at a five-day long program on dren’s Services at the Hernando cam- pus, oversaw the teenagers during sity campus the Mississippi State University cam- Thursday. pus last week. See PALMER HOME, 3A Mark Wilson/Dispatch Staff WEATHER FIVE QUESTIONS C ALENDAR LOCAO L F LKS PUB LIC MEETINGS 1 What actor was first seen as Vid- July 21: Columbus City Thursday Council, Municipal Complex, eo-Game Boy #2 in Back to the Future ■ Sounds of Summer finale: Keith and Part II (1989)? 5 p.m. Margie Brown entertain at the final 2015 2 What is the name of the largest July 28: Columbus Munic- candy, food and beverage company Sounds of Summer concert at the Columbus headquartered in the United States? Riverwalk. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to ipal School District, Public 3 The back of an older $10 bill is the enjoy the free concert from 7-9 p.m. Beverag- Budget Hearing, Brandon Brayden Thrash only American paper currency that es and food available for purchase. No pets Central Offices, 6 p.m. contains the picture of what automo- or coolers, please. For more information, con- Third grade, Caledonia bile? July 30: Lowndes Supervi- 4 Who took his pen name from the tact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305. sors, Courthouse, 9 a.m. High Low distance equaling two fathoms, or August 4: Columbus City 99 75 twelve feet? Mostly sunny Friday Council, Municipal Complex, 5 Which state is the geographic ■ Back 2 School Bash: Columbus and Full forecast on center of the forty-eight contiguous 5 p.m. page 2A. states? Lowndes County students and their families August 10: Columbus Mu- are encouraged to attend CONTACT Helpline’s Answers, 6B nicipal School District Board fourth annual bash from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at of Trustees, Brandon Central Columbus High School for Community Infor- INSIDE mation and Health Fair, distribution of school Offices, 6 p.m. supplies and activities including zumba. For August 11: West Point Classifieds 5B Obituaries 5A more information, call the agency’s office, Ivyaan Taylor lives in Co- Board of Selectmen, West Comics 4B Opinions 4A 662-327-2968. lumbus and loves to dance. Point City Hall, 5:30 p.m. DISPATCH CUSTOMER SERVICE 328-2424 | NEWSROOM 328-2471 2A MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015 THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com SAY WHAT? DID YOU HEAR? “I just waited until about 20 to go and started going after him.” Bub McCool, talking about his strategy to beat Randy Weaver on Saturday in the Southern All-Stars Super Late Model Race at the 12-annual Governor’s Cup at Magnolia Motor Speedway. Monday Story, 1B. GOP sheds cautious approach to Trump — but he may not care ‘It’s not just absurd. Zade Rosenthal/Disney/Marvel via AP This photo shows Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man in It’s offensive. It’s McCain: Trump owes apology a scene from Marvel’s “Ant-Man.” ridiculous. And I do to veterans, not to him think it is a disqualifier ‘Ant-Man’ debuts with $58M; THE ASSociateD PRESS ing he’s fair game as commander-in-chief.’ for criticism as an ‘Trainwreck’ opens with $30.2M Florida Sen. Marco Rubio WASHINGTON — Sen. John elected official. McCain said today that Republi- In an opinion BY JAKE COYLE in its second week. BY JULIE PACE can presidential candidate Don- piece published AP Film Writer “Ant-Man,” starring AP White House Correspondent ald Trump doesn’t need to apol- today in USA To- Paul Rudd as a slightly ogize to him for remarks about day, Trump said WASHINGTON NEW YORK — Mar- more irreverent and dis- his captivity in Vietnam, but McCain has aban- vel’s “Ant-Man” punched — Seeking to blunt McCain tinctly smaller superhero, should tell veterans he’s sorry. doned the nation’s above its weight at the Donald Trump’s came in a little below ear- Appearing in a nationally veterans and made weekend box office, de- summer surge, lier stand-alone Marvel broadcast interview, the Arizo- America “less safe” through his buting with an estimated Republican White films like “Thor” ($65.7 na Republican said, “When Mr. votes in Congress. $58 million, while Amy House hopefuls are million in 2011) and “Cap- Trump says he prefers to be The real estate executive also Schumer’s “Trainwreck” shedding their cau- tain America: The First with people who are not cap- lashed out at fellow GOP presi- also opened strongly with tious approach to Avenger” ($65.1 million in Trump tured, the great honor of my life dential aspirants who have crit- $30.2 million. the provocative busi- - icized his remarks, calling them 2011). was to be in the company of he The result for “Ant- nessman’s political roes.” “failed politicians.” Trump said Dave Hollis, head of Man” didn’t match some rise.