Lumberton Informer

It has been 50 years since the slaying of Mack Charles Parker in Poplarville, Mississippi. With the election President Barack Obamba, we thought that America was ready for change. Unfortnately, the City of Poplarville is not ready to engage in the change that is sweeping the rest of the country. They are still bogged down in the swamp of racism. In spite of hundreds of pages of FBI files where the men involved are clearly identified, and their meetings documented, and admissions of complicity verified, no one was ever charged, no one was ever indicted, no one ever was convicted of Parker’s murder. July 19, 2009, Randy Prince was allegedly shot and killed by Virgil Matthews. Matthews spent less than 24 hours in jail before the judge released him for lack of sufficient evidence. This decision echos the sentiment that was expressed 5o years ago in the murder of Mack Charles Parker; that the life of a black man does not matter. It it time for Poplarville to stop being known for these

Beloveds, now we know that we know nothing, now that our bright and shining star can slip away from our fingertips like a puff of summer wind. Without notice, our dear love can escape our doting embrace. Sing our songs among the stars and walk our dances across the face of the moon. In the instant that Michael is gone, we know nothing. No clocks can tell time. No oceans can rush our tides with the abrupt absence of our treasure. Though we are many, each of us is achingly alone, piercingly alone. Only when we confess our confusion can we remember that he was a gift to us and we did have him. He came to us from the Creator, trailing creativity in abundance. Despite the anguish, his life was sheathed in mother love, family love, and survived and did more than that. He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style. We had him whether we know who he was or did not know, he was ours and we were his. We had him, beautiful, delighting our eyes. His hat, aslant over his brow, and took a

Today will be the first meeting of the newly elected Mayor and Board of Alderpersons. Mayor Miriam Holder hosted an Inagural Event on Friday, July 3, 2009 at the 5th Avenue School. The event was based on faith, family, friends, fellowship and food. Now the official business of the City of Lumberton will take place. Seemingly, it has been a long campaign, and we have eagerly waited a new administration. There have been many promises made during the campaign, but now we will see who and what the candiates are really supporting. Those we elected to serve will speak through their votes. Hopefully the winners of the election will perform the responsibilities of their office with diligence, wisdom, foresight, and the best interest of the citizens of Lumberton in mind. Soon, we will see where they stand.

Mayor Elect-Miriam R. Holder and the Board of Alderpersons will take their oath of office on July 3, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. The ceremony will take place at the 5th Avenue School, and will be follwed by a reception and performances by the Lumberton Strings. Typically, the inauguration of the Mayor is a small and private affair but Mayor Elect Miriam Holder wanted to make this one different. She wanted to make it about community. She wanted to make it about all the residents of Lumberton. This is the start of a new day. The day when the word “change” ceases be a campaign slogan and starts to become a reality. Change is an easy word to say. But it’s a difficult word to enact. Together, the newly elected mayor and board of alderpersons can bring about the change that this city and its citizens so rightfully deserve.