The Next Mayor of Lumberton 2015 ?!?

Tuesday, November 24, 2015, 5:00 p.m. is the deadline to submit your paperwork to be included on December 15, 2015 ballot to run for Mayor of Lumberton. So far, two candidates have submitted their paperwork, Kent Crider and Jerry Walters. By the time this post is published, you can add Jonathan F. Griffith, the Lumberton Informer to that list of potential candidates. I thought long and hard about this decision. I prayed about entering the race, I picked up a packet, prayed, tore up the packet, prayed, picked up another packet and still and prayed some more. I held on to the packet and then people started coming by the house to offer their support and signatures so I got up finished gathering the signatures needed to enter the mayoral race. I’ve tried to get a list of those running but of course they’re being very protective of the list of candidates. I don’t know who all turned in their packets but I guess the names will be released tomorrow since city hall closes at 5:00 p.m. I’m not certain when the candidates will be certified since this is the week of Thanksgiving. I guess the candidates and the news outlets will know something by November 30 or December 1, 2015. Unfortunately, that does not give the candidates a lot of time to campaign since the election is December 15, 2015.

Since I’m discussing the election, I will use this avenue to share the platforms of the other candidates and I will also share my vision for the City of Lumberton. Some of you may be wondering Why is the Lumberton Informer running for mayor? Well, I’m glad you asked that question. I am running for mayor because I have fought for accountability and transparency at city hall for several years. My fight for accountability became a legal issue that resulted in a court case. The current administration governing the City of Lumberton were so fearful getting exposed that they supported a frivolous case that was filed by the current city clerk, Merlene Wall. I know that there are some that say my blog is “messy” and based on rumors and innuendo. My entire blog was on trial and in the words and final judgment issued by Judge William Andrews.

“It is the opinion of this Court that Wall has failed to produce any evidence of defamatory comments made by Griffith in any of his blogs placed in evidence. While there is no doubt that Griffith has made critical comments about Wall, there is not proof that the comments are factually false..."

As a blogger, my access to public records has been limited. I am running for Mayor of Lumberton to gain full access to public information and to hold those currently on the board accountable for their lack of adequate representation. A letter from an elected official addressed to the Mississippi Attorney General or the Mississippi State Auditor has more weight than a letter from a concerned citizen and that’s another reason why I have a problem with Kent Crider seeking office. Where are his letters to the Attorney General demanding an investigation into the finances of the City of Lumberton? Did any board member write the State Auditor’s office when Merlene Wall failed to submit an amendment to the board when the Labor Board forced the City of Lumberton to pay the police officers that were cheated out of their overtime pay? Where’s the letter addressing concerns about over-extending the budget? If no one on the board brought these matters to the attention of authorities on the state level then their silence is compliance. For the past two years, the board has claimed that the City of Lumberton is saving money by outsourcing garbage collection and cutting our police department down to one officer per shift and forcing the court clerk to work 20 hours a week. So, where’s the savings? Where’s the surplus? One reason why they don’t know how much money they have is because the city clerk is probably paying all the bills from the general fund. One of the first things that need to be done in January 2016 is a full audit, not a compilation audit. Merlene Wall has had over 2 years of on the job training and she’s has proven time and time again that she’s an old dog that can’t learn new tricks or work BBI. It’s time for the City of Lumberton to either get a CPA or a certified clerk at city hall because we can’t go year after year without knowing what we have in the bank and we definitely can’t continue to default on loan payments.

It is my hope that on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, the residents of the City of Lumberton will step up to the plate and usher in the new perspective and demand for accountability I will bring to city hall. Year after year we have learned that simply having the title of leader is not enough. The City of Lumberton is stagnant because of unimaginative and lethargic leaders who serve because it’s their turn. Well, on December 15, 2015, it’s time to show the status quo that it’s not our turn. It’s our time. This election will prove whether or not the City of Lumberton is ready to move forward or stay chained to the past. Help elect Jonathan F. Griffith as Mayor of Lumberton. No Promises. Just Results! Thank you for your support!