Published: October 05, 2008 01:02 am            

A Democratic Mess!

It is obvious the Democratic members of the Meridian City Council failed to count themselves in numbers (3-2) to realize, they are in the “MAJORITY”! Then why are the Republicans controlling all facets of Meridian City Government?

Maybe, long before John Harris decided to switch his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, he realized his other two counter-parts called themselves seasoned Democrats; but he saw them just pretending to be Democrats; all their decisions and votes were going in favor of the Republicans. I’d probably be interested to switch my affiliation as well in order to get at least one of my Ward ideas to just even be considered for funding.

With a Strong-Mayor form of government, obviously the budget lies within the hands of the Mayor, and funding ideas from members of the Democratic City Council must be considered feasible from the Republican Mayor’s stand-point. Other than the Hope VI “Projects”, few city funds have been disbursed toward the Democrats way.

The two other Republicans Council members have had to lobby very little for their proposed projects, considering having a Republican Mayor on their side. Although considered just a Legislative body; doesn’t the City Council have to approve the overall budget as well?

Here-in lays the problem! The Democratic Majority members of the City Council have not challenged Mayor John R. Smith on any of his proposed budget projects. Not one! Neither have they challenged him on any of his Appointments regarding his Boards or Authorities! They allowed this Mayor to appoint (9) out of (10) immediate cabinet members all Republicans. The Police Chief being the only unknown party affiliation appointee; probably wise thinking, considering being the lone African-American appointee!

The citizens of the City of Meridian who call themselves Democrats should be in total outrage; I know I am! We elected these Liberal Democratic individual to represent our economic, social, and political views, considering the level of poverty which exist here in the City of Meridian.

This was done to hopefully counter the many Conservatives Republicans views which are operating at a full fledge level here in the South and especially here in the City of Meridian. Many Conservative views which favor the wealthy getting wealthier (Ronald Reaganomics), and the poor hoping the economic resources will trickle down just a little to give some relief! This is the daily law of the land which exists here in Meridian.

Evident, every time you look around you see the Mayor and (Democratic Council Member Mary Perry) at another business ribbon cutting ceremony. I can’t recall a single ribbon cutting ceremony, where I’ve seen the Majority Democratic Council Members attending a ceremony in their various wards announcing the opening of a new business! (Hmm) And the Majority Democrats (3-2) who sit on the Council! Something is clearly wrong with this picture.

Another view to be considered is the Meridian Public School System and the condition it finds itself in. The Democratic Members of the City Council should be outraged at the (40 to 50%) “Drop-Out Rate and the number of children who are being considered “At-Risk”

Considering the majority Drop-Outs are coming from their perspectives Wards! Oh’ but I forgot, they approved the appointed members of the school board; who by the way are all Republicans, except for Mrs. Harper (wife of William “Bumpus” Harper-Republican friend of the Mayor) who has refrained from declaring party affiliation.

Another wise move, considering this would be a clean sweep of all (4 or 5) members sitting on the schools board. George Myers term expired in February 2008 and has yet to be reappointed to the School Board, but is still acting in his full capacity as a Board Member! Yet the Democratic Members of the Council hasn’t even mentioned this vacancy to the Republican Mayor! Probably too afraid to speak up; revealing their loyalty, or in this case disloyalty to the Republicans.

The Democratic Members of the party, especially Mrs. Melba Clark, Lauderdale County Democratic Chairperson should emphasize to the people and party affiliates the display of disloyalty these members have exhibited, and begin an immediate search for replacement candidates to remove these so-called Democratic Leaders!

The National Democratic Party and the East Mississippi group for Obama are outraged at what is happening here in a city where the Democrats are in the seats of the Majority! The Leaders of these Parties should strongly ask the current Democratic City Council Members not to seek re-election! And if they do, the revealing of their behavior would be strongly stressed to their Ward Constituents.

Why should the citizens of Meridian who deserve so much more, continue to allow such leadership apathy to continue to go unnoticed. The next generation deserve so much more than what this Majority Democratic Council has given them over the last (16 years)! How can we expect Barack Obama to stand-up for change against the Republicans and we have a City of Majority Meridian Democrats holding seats of position allowing the Republicans to go unchallenged?

A community’s existence is dependent upon a good education system. The city government is to help establish that system, and good elected city officials are to explore the economic, social and physical ills affecting their community, and effectively institute programs and ideas to better the plight of its’ people; regardless of the form of Government!

This group of Democratic leaders has had their opportunity to affect Liberal Change. Unfortunately, they have either chosen to serve themselves or became too intimidated to challenge an oppressive Republican system who ruled by their wealth, power, and social status; keeping a system in place to serve their own Conservative needs.

Either way, the time has come where the Democratic Citizens who claim this party, be represented by a core of leaders who take the serious interest of their constituents first!

As we embark upon the General Election in November, let us remember what is about to “Change,” and start holding the very elected Democrats, we put in place, to take the will of the people to govern Meridian City Government. If this cannot be done by those we elect, then the time has come for us to elect someone who will do the will of the people!



Rev. Randle L. Jennings

Education Chair NAACP

Meridian

        

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