The end of the year is rapidly approaching and there were a few stories that had the town talking. From the arrest of a Bishop who was given a Key to the City to the rantings of another Bishop who thought he was to high on the horse to be questioned. Last year, the talk of the town was about the arrest of Mayor Holder. This year, the board that put Hobson up to filing the trupmed up charges, did not come to his defense and he was terminated from the not-so-coveted position of Chief of Police. At the beginning of the year, the city was at a fever pitch. There was a lot of tension in the streets because most citizens felt like they were being targeted by the Lumberton Police Department. There were fights all over and every one, except the offenders, were being taken to jail. Team Stephanie/Hoboson, had the city by the cohones because they knew they had the backing of Gibson, Johnson, Crider and Hale. They even went as far as hiring Hobson's girlfriend as the new court clerk. (I think she's going to be the fall person for all the missing fine money collected through the court system.) It's strange that Stephanie Mullings was so proficient in the finances of the city that she actually had Betty Speights fired for allegedly giving a $10 credit for a late fee, but somehow, she did not notice the fact that one person's fines, in excess of $1,700, was never entered into the system. Instersting?!
Another big story of the year was the closing of Little Black Creek Water Park. I speculated that Danny Davis would soon return to the city's payroll, but that was before I discovered the Pat Harrison Waterway Board was playing political chicken with the Lamar County Board of Supervisors. It seems, they had the money to stay open, but they wanted the Lamar County Board of Supervisors to continue to pay without having any say in about the operation of the water park. Needless to say, the Pat Harrison Waterway lost their battle, as well as the citizens who loved to frequent the water park. Ben Barrett, Jr. took over the helm as the City of Lumberton Public Works Director, but he quit again; leaving the city' water system uncheck. But he did the same thing during the Katrina tragedy. Ryan Esaley, is now serving as the new Public Work Director.
There was a lot of changes in the libray staff as well. At one point, we didn't know who would be working behind the desk. Well, we knew that Melinda would make sure that no one of my race would be holding that position, but there's a nice, young lady working there now and hopefully, she will be there for many years to come. Shortly after settling her ex-husband's affairs as well as the affairs of her late grandmother, Rebecca Hale finally left her post as Alderwoman of Ward 2. Jay McGrew won the special election to fill that seat. Hopefully, he will get the opportunity to fill the seat for another four years.
There was a ground breaking for Azela Gardens Senior Living Facility, but there was no other details after the shovels were dusted off. Elsie was finally promoted to Cheif of Police, the green spaces were completed using the funds from the Main Street Rennovation funds (will post pictures), the city is finally getting a "real" audit (thanks to Jay McGrew, there's some kinks in the collection and/or recording of the payment of fines, the board is basically doing the same thing (nothing), the Mayor is still getting blamed for all the problems of the city, Fiorella's reopened, Tic Toc Diner expanded, and the rooster of officers is continually chaning (some for the good and some not so good). I know there's a lot of things that took place throughout 2012 and I'm sorry that I cannot cover them all. I am praying that things are better for the City of Lumberton in 2013. Hopefully, no one will get put out of a church next year. One thing's for certain, 2013 is going to be a good year for the City of Lumberton because we finally get the opporutnity to vote stupid out of office. This board ran on the platform of working for the citizens of Lumberton and they have done everything except work "for" the City of Lumberton. Please note: They now have a record of service that they are accountable for and I am in the process of compling a record of their their voting pattern. It is my hope that we use better judgment when we select our new representatives. Please be safe and may you have a blessed, prosperous New Year and remember to govern yourselves accordingly.
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