Access Denied

There's an old gospel song my mother used to lead at Sweet Beulah. It contained the line, " you dig one ditch you better dig two, the trap you set just may be for you." The songwriter probably penned that line for rhythmic purposes but in reality, when a person digs a ditch for another, there's no need to dig a second ditch because they're going to fall into the ditch they're digging. Proverbs 26:27 says:
"Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them."
Just last week, I went to city hall to view the minute books (public records) and I was denied access. Immediately after making the request, Keenon Johnson (I still don't know her title) told me that they were locked up and she didn't have a key. I later found out she was lying about not having a key because I called my alderman and he went to city hal, to find out what was going on. There's a lot of things I do at my job but I don't think an assistant clerk is getting paid so well that lying is a required part of her job description. But I've always said, people do what they believe. I could say that Merlene forced her to lie but that wouldn't be true. Keenon was in the office alone, Merlene was no where in sight and she chose to lie but that's something she has to deal with because according to Psalms 101:7
"a deceitful person will not sit in my house, a liar will not remain in my presence."
Some people will do anything to please others but, as for me, I will not willifully lie for job security because I believe in pleasing God, not man. Well, enough time has been dedicated to those with a broken moral compass and those suffering from biblical dyslexia. Unfortunately, at this moment, they're the guardians of our public records. Talk about your literal oxymoron.

Back to the subject at hand, I tried to gain access to the minute books but was denied access. I was told they wete under lock and key and later I was told that they needed to wait until the end of the month bills are processed. My alderman was told that there's a law that says a clerk must sit with the citizen while they look through the public records. Amazingly, that information is contrary to the information contained on the Mississippi Ethics Commission website and there's nothing like that memtioned in 10 pages of the Mississippi Public Records Act. At first I was willing to go along with these ethics violations or lack of knowledge regarding Mississippi laws. Thankfully, I came to myself and I refused to be marginalized by people that are ignorant of the laws set forth for the governance of the State of Mississippi and a code charter municipality. Why do I need to set an appointment to view public records? There's a board meeting tomorrow, and I will get my answers then, not over the phone.

The fact that there's no integrity in the situation does not mean I must lose my integrity. Look within yourself and remain true to who you are. Change the world right where you stand and that's what I intend to do. (I paraphrased that based on a scene from Madame Secretary) Hear me clearly now, this barage of detours and smoke screens will not dim the light of accountability. I started this blog over four years ago and I will continue to fight for transparency and truth in government. I speak truth to power and that's why they're bothered.

Comments

  1. I'm praying for you and please be careful. Didn't the last city clerk have you arrested for parking tickets because of your blog? You have a way of rubbing people the wrong way but you only report what's happening. Thank you for your bravery. If it wasn't for you we wouldn't have a voice.

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  2. It's so disappointing to see how so many elderly people haven't gained any wisdom in their years on this earth. Are they all suffering Alzheimer's? If it wasn't for Quincy Rogers this board would have the Collective IQ of a third grader. Wait. Even a third grader would learn from their mistake this board keeps making the same mistakes over and over again. I'm so thankful there's someone like you that won waver in seeking the truth. You are very appreciated.

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  3. We only have 2 years. I pray someone with sense run this time around. The City really need to clean house. Start with a new City Clerk and helper.

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