Candidate Forum 3 video

On April 14th, The Starkville Young Professionals invited candidates for Mayor of Starkville, Mississippi for a public question and answer session.

Mayoral Race
Dan Camp – d
Matt Cox – d
Marnita Henderson – r
Parker Wiseman – d

Question 1: Given Starkville’s “Weak Mayor” form of government, why have you chosen to run for mayor as opposed to alderman?

Question 2: What leadership will you provide to alleviate the problems of Highway 182?

Question 3: If you are elected mayor, what specifically will be different here in Starkville in four years?

Question 4: With interest rates at their lowest in years, should we consider borrowing the full 12 million dollars to fund the four year plan for infrastructure improvements?

Question 5: Should the Americans with Disabilities Act be enforced on a local level, and how?

Question 6: What are your plans for the creation of a new justice complex, and where would you put it?

Question 7: What were the best things to happen in the past four years, and what can be improved upon?

Question 8: Will you commit to serving in the office of mayor for the full four years, and would you consider stepping away from your business interests in order to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest?

Question 9: Would you seek to form a Metropolitan Planning Organization in order to acquire federal transportation grant money, and what would you use those funds for?

Question 10: How will you handle your business interests along with being mayor?

Question 11: How will you manage increased traffic from new development?

Question 12: What are some specific things you have done to give back to the community through volunteerism?

Question 13: What will you do to help children in public schools have a quality education?

Question 14: Is there any way the city can get a post office downtown?

Question 15: Can you discuss the possibility of extending Hospital Road and Stark Road so emergency vehicles will have an easier time getting to the west side of town?

Question 16: What will you do to put into action the city’s Comprehensive Plan?

Question 17: Are you in favor of consolidating city and county schools?

Question 18: Would you support a minimal ordinance requiring sidewalks for all new development, and would you promote a more comprehensive ordinance?

Question 19: How can City Hall help bring out the uniqueness of our community and bring out more “sense of place” here in Starkville?

Question 20: What will you do to help existing businesses continue to grow?

Question 21: What will you do to help students become more interesting in city government, and what will you do to retain more of our graduates?

Question 22: Will you support the lifting of the ban on Sunday alcohol sales in the city?