Starkville Report

Starkville Daily News - U.S. House hopeful: MSU needs conference center - Gregg Harper says he would support development of a conference center for Mississippi State University. Harper held a press conference and greeted supporters at Starkville Cafe Tuesday afternoon. Harper says that as a congressman, he would push for a conference center at MSU. “If you have a need for a conference and it’s over a certain number of people, they have to go to Jackson,” Harper said. “As one of the top research universities in the world, there’s a great need” for such a center, Harper said. Another issue Harper raised was improving commercial air service to the region. “If you’re going to take about a conference center, you’re going to have to increase the number of flights and add westbound connections certainly at least to Memphis,” where a major hub exists, he said. He says the nation doesn’t need new immigration laws, just enforcement of existing ones.

Commercial Dispatch - Candidate promotes local initiatives - Bringing a conference center to Mississippi State University and improving the commercial air service to the Golden Triangle are two local initiatives Gregg Harper, a Republican from Pearl and a candidate for the 3rd Congressional District, wants to bring to this corner of Mississippi, if he's elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. “The red-meat issue - it's immigration,” said Harper when asked what were some of the top concerns for the voters in the 3rd District. “Everywhere we go, people want to discuss immigration. It's an emotional issue and people are fed up.” Harper also wants to raise awareness of families - like his own - which have a child with “special needs.” Harper's 18-year-old son Livingston has Fragile X Syndrome, a genetic condition that affects development and learning. “We're going to be very committed and sensitive to those families with special needs,” Harper told the group. “We need to help those families reach their maximum potential. And we need to love them.”

Starkville Daily News - Ross pursues GOP nod for U.S. House seat - Former State Sen. Charlie Ross a Brandon resident who grew up in Eupora, says he has “close and deep ties to Starkville,” where a number of relatives have attended Mississippi State University. “I love Mississippi and I want to give back. I believe it’s important that Mississippi have a congressman who can hit the ground running. My legislative experience and record indicates I can do that.” • MSU. Ross intends to be a “strong advocate” for the university, noting the importance of maintaining its research money and that it has shown itself as “an important catalyst for economic development” with its work with the Nissan plant in Canton. He also said that MSU has been a leader in baseball and basketball, but “their football program has demonstrated to the nation that you can build an excellent Division I program with integrity and honor. The credit goes not only to Coach (Sylvester) Croom but also the institution for standing by him and giving him time to grow the program properly.”