Together We Can. . .

If you read yesterday's edition of the Hattiesburg American, you are aware that mayors and boards are clashing all across the state. The article clearly stated that people don't understand what their responsibilities are and everybody wants to be the executive. One of the most relevant points made in the article was the following statement: "Newly elected officials sometimes come to office hoping to push a specific agenda, only to find there are limits to their power. At the same time, longer-serving officials can get possessive about the reins of government and are unwilling to share that authority." I think that statement applies to a lot of what is taking place in the City of Lumberton. P.C. McLaurin, former director of Mississippi State University's Center for Government Training and Technology, said such disputes in city government are not uncommon. But they are not easy to fix. "There is no magic answer to this because you are dealing with humans, and sometimes we don't do the rational things or even the right things," he said. In order for this city to move forward, our elected officials need to find a way to set aside their personal differences and do what is best for the City of Lumberton. The recessed board of aldermen will meet today at 3:30 p.m. to finish the meeting that was supposed to be completed on Friday. Today, we will either see a set of aldermen that are willing to set aside their personal agendas and work together to move ahead with the business of this city, or we continue to bicker and remain stagnant. Hopefully, they will show that they are willing to move ahead.