William Winter: We need to put race behind us'

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
Aug. 30, 2003
Former Gov. William Winter, a Democrat, says Mississippi has an opportunity this year to make a huge statement about the elimination of race as a factor in state politics.
Blackmon is running for lieutenant governor, Anderson for state treasurer.
Winter visited Meridian Wednesday to speak at a graduation ceremony for Leadership Lauderdale. He said he feels Republican gubernatorial candidate Haley Barbour has played the "race card" n and that it surprised him.
Winter takes a special interest in education issues and said he has seen a marked difference in the performance of students since kindergarten became mandatory as part of the Education Reform Act in 1982.
Winter said he believes a well-thought-out plan for prekindergarten would greatly benefit the economically disadvantaged.
Winter also said he believes Mississippi has a first-class higher education system.
And, the former governor had a comment about the state flag. He would still like to see Mississippi change its state flag to exclude the Confederate battle flag despite the fact a statewide referendum was voted down by a 2-1 margin in 2001.