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Nick Gibson provides depth page 6

Women’s leadership panel page 5

Flex dollars should s t r e t c h farther

page 4

132nd YEAR ISSUE 19

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2017

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

Hospital debate heats up in the ﬁnal days DYLAN BUFKIN STAFF WRITER

The ﬁnal vote to determine the fate of OCH Regional Medical Center is quickly approaching and both sides’ efforts throughout this year will culminate during the Starkville special election on Nov. 7. The issue was initially discussed in 2016 by the County Board of Supervisors, who wanted to put the hospital up for sale. The movement quickly faltered, as the hospital’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted against the sale. Shortly after, the Greater Starkville Development Partnership followed the Board’s example and opposed the idea as well. However, in May of this year, a petition gained enough votes, more than 1,500, to force the issue to a public vote in November, instead of strictly leaving the decision to the hospital’s Board of Trustees. Dr. Richard G. Hilton, the CEO of the OCH and main proponent to keeping the hospital locally run and operated, said his job since the Board’s decision is ﬁrst and foremost to educate the public about the issue. “The direction to me was given to oppose the efforts and they said to me,

‘We want you to educate the public about our services-keep them focused on what we do and what we do well,” Hilton said. “We want you to oppose those efforts [the Board’s efforts] and we want you to correct any information that is misleading or misinforming.’” Tactics-wise, Hilton referred to the hospital’s efforts on local TV, newspaper, social media and the hospital’s services themselves as ways the OCH attempted to get its message out. Despite the hospital being prohibited to spend money to directly inﬂuence public opinion, OCH has effectively reached the citizens of Starkville. Mary Kathryn Kight, the head of public relations for the OCH, said OCH’s past successes should prove to the residents of Oktibbeha County the hospital does not need to be sold. “We hope that what we’ve done for the past 45 years has shown the public that we continue to grow, that we continue to add services and recruit physicians,” Kight said. “Not just what we’ve done lately, but we feel like we’ve always been a good service to our community.” Hilton said the hospital plans to secure an afﬁliation deal if the result of the election is not to sell. The deal would pool resources

Olivia Zeringue | The Reﬂector

The controversial vote to sell OCH Regional Medical Center to private entities will take place during the Oktibbeha County special election from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Nov. 7.

from two medical entities in order to improve patient care without the hospital losing ownership. On the other side of the argument, Orlando Trainer is the president of the Board of Supervisors and long-time advocate for the hospital being sold. Trainer said it is an emotionally charged issue, but when viewed from a realistic point of view, the choice is clear. “I think what we have is

a situation where there’s a lot of emotional perspectives, probably on both sides, and I can understand that,” Trainer said. “However, I think we don’t need to pass up on the opportunity and really be realistic about the lay of land.” Trainer’s efforts to reach the public has centered around convincing people the grass is greener on the other side. Trainer is quick to point out the success of other community hospitals

Politicians aim for younger demographic WILL WELLS

LIFE AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Political campaign signs are visible on every main street and corner, all vying for Starkville residents’ attention as the special elections draw near. Although Mississippi State University students were likely aware of last year’s elections at both the local and national level, many forget off-year elections. Though these elections do not garner the same amount of coverage, the importance of the election is not nulliﬁed. Starkville residents who make their way to the ballot box on Nov. 7 will face several decisions which will impact the area. Elections will take place for the local Mississippi House of Representatives’ seat, the Oktibbeha County district 1 constable, Oktibbeha County chancery clerk and the Oktibbeha County circuit clerk. There will also be a referendum on the ballot to decide whether Oktibbeha County should sell OCH Regional Medical Center or not. A key element of offyear campaigning is not only convincing people who are voting to vote the way a campaign would prefer, but to also convince voters it is worth voting in

which have been sold, such as the Lee County Hospital in 1987. Trainer and other proponents for selling OCH invited the potential bidders of OCH to speak to the Starkville community in order to further drive home his point: selling now means future success. “You can look at these other communities that have gone through this before. They’ll tell you they’re just glad that they went through

it when they did, instead of having to deal with it now,” Trainer said. “Because you know, every time you deal with something later, it has a tendency of being worse than what you expect.” Trainer assured if the vote goes in the hospital’s favor the Board will continue to do what they feel is best for the community, including pursuing other options for the hospital. Polls for the special election will open at 7 a.m.

SA Senate recap: Bill 21 fails to pass, ACCESS granted seat

Stephanie Flynt and Senator Laken Vickers, Bill 22 institutes a honorary ACCESS rotational term seat, or HARTS, to allow ACCESS students to participate in the government body. After a graduate student working with ACCESS gave a summary of the program, debate ensued. While no one ever argued the program was a bad idea, some worried it was a bad implementation. One senator proposed a “liaison” program allowing ACCESS students to have their voices heard in the Senate, but without having to alter the SA constitution or add a new senator seat. The counterpoint raised by writers of the bill was the whole point of the bill: to make ACCESS students feel included, not separated, and the Senate could act as an example for other organizations to follow. The bill passed 48 to nine. Additionally, several resolutions were quickly passed. Resolution 28 expressed student support for one-dollar parking in Old Main, as well as earlier parking in the Lloyd Ricks lot. Resolution 29 showed student support for sexual harassment prevention training requirements for Cowbell Cab drivers.

DYLAN BUFKIN STAFF WRITER

the election. Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill said every vote is important, especially in local elections. She has experienced how important a small number of votes can be, as she was elected Mayor by six votes earlier this year. “When you win any election by six votes, every vote counts in a way you don’t always appreciate with a national election,” Spruill said. Jason Walker, the alderman representing Starkville’s Ward 4, which includes the Cotton District and several apartment complexes where many MSU students live, said students can play a big part

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

HI: 79 LO: 64 SKY: T-Storms

HI: 79 LO: 64 SKY: Showers

HI: 82 LO: 64 SKY: Sunny

POP:55%

POP: 44%

POP: 6%

in local elections. Walker said because Starkville’s local elections normally take place in May and June, students who prefer to vote in their hometowns every November can still have an impact in Starkville. “It is pretty easy to move your registration back and forth,” Walker said. Walker said changing their registration while in Starkville will help familiarize students with the process many will go through at some point in their lives when moving. In addition, many MSU and Starkville organizations dedicate time to help students through the process of changing their

registration. Sandra Sistrunk, the alderman representing Ward 2 in Starkville, said she believes the college democrats and other groups’ registration efforts helped her be elected. Sistrunk said once students are registered in Starkville, they are not entirely different than any other voters. “Every voter is very similar, and also very unique,” Sistrunk said. Spruill said social media has become very important in recent years, especially when trying to appeal to younger voters, but ultimately politicians must have a message to resonate with the voters.

FORECAST: This weekend the weather will continue to heat up. Friday will be cloudy with afternoon thunderstorms. Saturday the rain will continue in the morning, but the rain will clear out before the football game at 11 a.m. Sunday will be sunny and warm, where did fall go? Courtesy of AccuWeather

The Mississippi State University Student Association Senate met Tuesday to discuss five pieces of legislation. Bill 21 was reintroduced to the floor and continued to generate strong opposition, even with SA Supreme Court members overseeing the process. The bill was modified from only allowing senators to miss three office hours a term, to four absences a term, two per semester. After a quick introduction from Senator Lindley Williams, the bill was put to a vote. The vote was extremely close, but with only 35 votes out of 42 needed, the bill failed to pass. Therefore, the issue is put to rest until a new bill addresses the topic. The second major bill introduced was a bill centered around the ACCESS program at MSU. The ACCESS program, is a relatively new honorary college. The ACCESS program helps students with intellectual disabilities learn to function independently, as well as receive an education tailored to their needs. Written by Senator