Lumberton Informer

There have been a lot of issues that have come to light since this election season started. I didn't want to be accused of political mudslinging but in the last few days, things have gotten really dirty in the Lumberton Political arena. As many of you know, we have lost another good police officer, Jean Rester, and it is my belief that she did not want to tarnish her good reputation because of the actions of an alderman. I don't know the "official" reason why she left, but I must say, she will certainly be missed. I have had to all on Officer Rester on more than one occasion. She is a very professional officer and she was definitely an asset to the Lumberton Police Department. The actions of one or two aldermen should not be a factor when people decide to work in the City of Lumberton. I remember posting about the good work ethic of several of our Public Works Department (namely those working on the garbage crew) but it seems that another name should be added. J...

Election day is rapidly approaching. Listed below are comments made by the mayoral candiates for the City of Lumberton. Mayor Miriam R. Holder addressed the crowd and she gave her platform that Experience Makes A Difference. Mayor Holder outlined three top issues as economic development, establishing recreational/educational facitlities for our youth and joining the Let's Play state health challenge. Mayor Holder listed a few of her accomplishments while serving as mayor. Holder said we finally have a fair contract with the Gold Coast Skydivers. Holder worked tirelessly on getting the $1,000,000 Main Street Renovation Grant passed and completed. Holder also worled to secure the contract for Azalea Gardens, a senior living facility. Azalea Gardens is a $9.6 million dollar gated, senior living facility and it will include medical staff as well as security. Holder was also instrumental in securing the FAA AIP grants for the Lumberton airport. Holder called on her connections in t...

I have received a lot of contacts asking for my review of the Political Rally that was held in Lumberton. I was hesitant about posting a review since I am also a candidate and I didn't want to upset anyone I may have to work with in the future. But I wouldn't be true to myself if I allowed fear to keep me from saying what was said at the event. I will try to stay unbiased but I can't make any promises. The event was sponsored by the LEDC (Lumberton Economic Development Council). There were few in attendance, but that could have been because of the time of the event and not directly related to public interest or disinterest (depending on how you look at things). The last time there was a political rally, it was held later in the evening and not in the middle of the day, and there were a lot more attendants. Well, enough about those attending. For the most part, all the candidates were in attendance. Tommy Dukes, Jr. was not there, but he is not opposed in the upcoming e...

Yesterday, Paul Ockmond, informed me that there will be a political rally held at the Ben Barrett Community Center on Saturday, May 18, 2013 from 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Please attend for your opporutnity to meet those running for office. See you there!

They say experience is the best teacher. After watching the news, my heart was broken. I don't know what she felt, but I certainly know how she felt. If you are not certain, you should have no doubt that we are living in the last days. Jesus preached that he would leave one to go after ninety-nine. Today, the "shepherds" are more than willing to abandon one if they think it would allow them to keep the ninety-nine, but in reality it's more like 20-30. It saddens me that we have come to this, especially in this day and age. And to top it off, we have a person that's running for election, putting allegedly having an 82 year old woman arrested and/or charged with trespassing for praying in the church she was born and raised in. Shameful. In the works of Oladuah Equiano, in his book, "The Slave Trade", Oh, ye nominal Christians, learn ye this from your God." Surely, we know God is a God of love and he beseeh us to live peaceable with one another. Tha...

I wasn't going to give a review of the board meeting because I was peeved at the fact that this board is one month from the anniversay of their election and they still have not masted the ability to conduct a board meeting effectively. But after going to the clerk's office yesterday, I decided to go ahead and post my reviews of the board meeting. First and foremost, I would like to give kudos to Merlene Walls, city clerk. She is literally and figuratively, cleaning up city hall. Have you been in that office lately, the office was actually sparkling. Many have said I am too critical, but when I saw the cleanliness of that office, I was throughly impressed. The water department is the first thing people see when they come to city hall, and the manner in which that office is arranged is representative of the city. Now, I know she's not alone in all the work to clean up our city. There's a guy that's working in the office, I apologize for not knowing his name, but he...

On Tuesday, May 7, 2013, the Mayor and Lumberton Board of Aldermnen will attempt to have a public hearing to discuss the implementation of the Hazardous Mitigation Plan. So, far, the efforts to hold this public hearing has been futile. There seems to have been some issue about the time of the scheduled meeting and somehow, the only aldermen that were confused about the time were, yes you guessed it...Johnson, Gibson and Crider. The not so dynamic trio thought the meetings were to be held at 6:30 p.m. and not 6:00 p.m. I consider myself a logical person. Had I missed the first meeting, I think I would have made a little more effort to ensure I had the correct time before missing the second, third and fourth meeting. Correction, they didn't schedule a fourth meeting because the aldermen had other obligations. The public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. and the regular scheduled meeting will begin right after the public hearing, at 6:00 p.m.; provided there's enough for a quoru...

Just last week, the hip hop community lost half of the duo Kris Kross. Chris Kelly was pronounced dead after being found unresponsive in his hotel room. The toxocoly reports are not conclusive but it is believed that his death was drug related. As I listed to the news of his passing, I reflected on the time the duo burst onto the music scene with their hit "Jump". Parents loved the music, but they were frustrated by the fact that their kids were buying into the Kris Kross phenomen and started wearing their clothes backwards. For those of you that don't know, that was their signature look. They would be arrayed in colorful outfits but they would always have them on backwards; shirts and pants. This was the beginning of the influence of hip hop on the commmunity that listened to their music. Looking back, I'm certain that parents would love it if the only influences of hip hop was the fact that their children are inspired to wear their clothes backwards. Which led me ...

On Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 5:30 p.m., there will be a public hearing about the Hazardous Mitigaion Plan at Lumberton City Hall. The plan will be on the agenda to adop the resolution in order for the City of Lumberton to be in agreement with Purvis and Sumrall. In order for the plan to be adopted, the public hearing must be held first. The plan is required to support and protect the city. The regular scheduled board meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m.; provided there's enough board members in attendance to hold the public hearing/meeting. Mayor Holder wrote the following: "To the board members, we took an oath that we would fulfill the duties required and stated in the Constitution of the State of Mississippi."

I received the following message from Mayor Miriam R. Holder about the hours of operation for voter registration. So, if you're not registered to vote in the upcoming election, you still have time to register. The message was as follows: Last day to register to vote for the June 4, 2013 election is Saturday, May 4, 2013. City hall will be open from 8:00 a.m.-12 noon. Vote to re-elect Miriam Holder as your Mayor. there is work to be completed and I am the one who knows how to get it completed. Economic development is on the list of priorities. A city divided will not survive. Vote for a mayor who has Lumberton best interest at heart with no personal agenda. Vote for Miriam Holder to be YOUR MAYOR, A MAYOR WHO CARES. Post taken from Facebook....If any other candidate would like to make a statment and have it released on this blog, I would be more than happy to post the information you provide.