Game Changer???

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. Just heard of Bryon's willingness to do the right thing; regardless of threats made against him and his job. For those of you that don't know what happened, I will give you some details. Names are not included to protect the guilty. It seems that an alderman wanted to have the water turned on at his mother's home because he and or his family were hosting an event this past weekend. Well, the alderman didn't want to pay the water bill, he just wanted use of water for the weekend. Now I know why he was so hell bent on keeping the former clerks. As I stated, he was apparently part of the Friends and Family Water Discount Program. From what I've been told, this alderman has also been promising former clerks, that he will make sure they get their jobs back while also threatening the current clerks with termination. Really dude. All of this because you don't want to pay a water bill. I guess he don't think either of the women running against him will be able to defeat him. But it's clear who's supporting him, just take a gander at the location of this political yard signs. Does anyone else notice whose property they're on? I think this is a sad case and it's just another chapter in the book of Lumberton's problems. Once this election season began, I received all sorts of information about this candidate and that candidate. There were allegations about this person and that person and I had to weigh what I would and would not post. I know politics bring out the worse in some, but I didn't want the issues plaguing our city to be lost in the political mudslinging. It's easy to say that a person is trying to take away from the issues by bringing up other subjects, but some subjects a relevant, but the timing of the discourse could be questionable. For instance, there was a lot of interest in the Lumberton Volunteer Fire Department and one of the main individuals brining up questions about the budget and spending of the LVFD was a current aldermen. To me, this seemed to be politically motivated. If there were any issues about the spending habits of the LVFD, they should have been addressed long before the candidate petitions were turned in for certification. I tried to stay away from posting about the political rally or other issues because I didn't want to be viewed as biased. As a matter of fact, I was leaving the review of the political rally to another Lumberton writer, but for some reason, she did not attend. So, after I received emails, texts, inbox requests, I posted my review of the rally. Just the other week, another candidate said the fact that charges were pressed against an elderly woman that went to her home church to pray be politically motivated. This allegation was and still is confusing to me. First of all, a trial date was scheduled which meant that charges were filed. So, who filed the charges and did we play the political mudslinging card because News 7 broadcasted the details. As far as I knew, prior to this becoming a news story, a trial date was set. So, I don't think it was politically motivated, it was just that someone's hand was caught in the cookie jar. Today, there was an article in the Hattiesburg American where the candidate said " As mayor, I’ll bring solutions, not the problems, to the table." As a voter, I'm wondering how you can bring solutions to the table for the city when a solution can't be reached in regards to an elderly woman wanting to attend her home church. IJS! I don't know what happened in regards to the alleged stealing of water. I don't know if an arrest was made or will be made. It may be another case of police officers not wanting to get involved because of fear of retaliation or it simply may not be a case at all. Who knows. But the streets are talking and it looks like a few people are ready to abuse their political authority......AGAIN; especially if they're re-elected. I hope people realize that elections have consequences. This election is about Choices, Leadership, and Vision. You, the voters, have the POWER to choose the future direction of our city. CHOOSE WISELY…..

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