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 election. It was said that he was at a previous event and there was a scheduling conflict. Jay McGrew is also unopposed, but he was able to attend the event. He thanked the residents for the opportunity to serve again and gave a brief overview of the projects he was involved with. He is currenlty working on getting signs for the city and he said he is concerned about this city and want to see it grow.
All of the candidates were given the opportunity to address the public. The public was allowed to submit questions to the candidates and the candidates were giving the opportunity to answer the questions as they were presented. Everyone, with the exception of the incumbents, were asked if they would work with the mayor. I found it interesting that those seeking office were asked if they would work with the mayor, but those currently holding office were not asked why they would not work with the mayor. Intersting.
The candidates were selected to speak in a random order. The first candidate to address the crowd was Lea Ann Jones Ulmer, candidate for Alderwoman at Large. As she was about to take the stage, she handed me a campaign card and on the front of the card, there was a crooked sign of the City of Lumberton Corp. Limits. I was thinking to myself, why would she have this on her campaign card. Well, I turned the card over, and it said "Let's straighten Lumberton Up! Ah ha moment. I could see what she was doing and it went along with the speech she made. Lea Ann said she would work with the board and the mayor so the City of Lumberton could move forward.
The next candidate to speak was Jonathan Griffith. As some of you may or may not know, I am seeking election as Alderman of Ward 3. I informed the crowd that our city if plagued with issues of popularity and favortism. I told the crowd that we should no longer select elected officials based last name, church affiliation, friendship or favortism. I said that we are in the shape we're in because we want our buddies in office and not those that will demand truth and transparency. I told the audience that we could either stay chained to the past or decide to move bodly into the future.
Jay McGrew was next to address the crowd but I outlined his information at the beginning of the blog post.
Next on the agenda was Kent Crider, Alderman of Ward 1 addressed the crowd. He said he spent the last four years attempting to get a hospital for the City of Lumberton. He said he was working hard and was able to make a call to former Governor Haley Barbour about getting a hospital. Well, here's where I get on my soapbox. You spent four years to make a call to get a hospital. I wanted to know if he brought the Mayor on board with his quest to get a hospital for Lumberton. Unfortunatley, he was not asked that question, so he didn't have to say. But he did ask the citizens to give him another opporutnity to serve. I'm guessing he is gonna make another call if elected for another four years.
Tina Speights-Holder, Candidate for Alderwoman of Ward 1, addressed the crowd. Tina said she will bring many caps to the table if elected to serve on the board. She said she look at issues as a mother, a grandmother, a resident and a business owner. She said she wanted to become involved in politics because she feel that a large segment of her community was not being represented on the board. Tina Speights-Holder said she will serve ALL the residents of her community and not just a few members. She said it is time for fresh, respectful leadership. Tina said it's time for a board that is willing to work for a better Lumberton. Tina said want to see Lumberton grow and prosper because she is invested in this city and she want to have something better for her grandchildren. From parts of her speech, you could tell that Tina is a woman of faith. She made a reference to Lumberton having an expected end. I immediately thought of the scripture in bible...for I know the thoughts I have for you saith the Lord...thoughts of peace and not of evil...to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11) Tina Speights-Holder said she would use her skills as a business woman as well as a wife, parent, and grand mother, to bring a different approach for the greater good of the City of Lumberton.
Jerry Walter, Candidate for Alderman of Ward 1, said he was concerned about the mismanagement of the city. Jerry Walters is currently serving as Chief of the Lumberton Volunteer Fire Department. Walters said he is concerned about our fire rating and the lack of care in regards to the maintenance of the city. Walters said we have a lot of positive feedback about the new green spaces, but it is being overshadowed by the lack of lawn care and maintenance in regards to our fire hydrants and other areas within the city. Walters said he would like to see some major improvments made to the Wood-Hinton Park. Walters addressed the need for improvements to increase our fire rating as well. Walters said he would like to work to get services to the new industrial park and work to bring industry to this city.
Bobby Gibson, Alderman at Large, also said he worked with Kent Crider in an effort to get a hospital for the City of Lumberton. Gibson said he has worked to get lighting from the interstate installed for safety purposes. Gibson also said he worked to help get the industrial park certified. Like the other incumbents, Gibson was not asked to explain why he and the other aldermen were not willing to work with Mayor Holder.
Cora Rogers, Candidate for Alderwoman at Large, said her skills as a businesswoman and a grant administrator will be very useful if elected to serve the City of Lumberton. Rogers said she will make sure city hall is accountable to the citzens of Lumberton. Rogers said she would buy her some boots and ride on the back of the truck to make sure the meters are being read properly and she will even stay at city hall during the recording process; just to make sure the residents are receiving a fair and accurate water bill. Rogers said she is more than willing to work with anyone that's elected to serve and she will work tirelessly to help steer Lumberton in a postive direction.
Quincy Rogers, Alderman Ward 3, said he would like the opportunity to serve another 4 year term. Rogers has served as adlerman of Ward 3 for the past 8 years and said he would like the opporutnity to see completion of certain projects; such as Azalea Gardens. Rogers said he has always tried to work with all elected officials and have no problem with working with others.
I will review the mayoral candidates in a separte review because this post is getting rather lenghty. The Hattiesburg American will feature interviews of the candidate. They articles will be featured in the paper sometime this week. I apologize but I don't have the exact date. I would like to encourge everyone to get out and vote. The future of our city depends on your participation.
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 election. It was said that he was at a previous event and there was a scheduling conflict. Jay McGrew is also unopposed, but he was able to attend the event. He thanked the residents for the opportunity to serve again and gave a brief overview of the projects he was involved with. He is currenlty working on getting signs for the city and he said he is concerned about this city and want to see it grow.
All of the candidates were given the opportunity to address the public. The public was allowed to submit questions to the candidates and the candidates were giving the opportunity to answer the questions as they were presented. Everyone, with the exception of the incumbents, were asked if they would work with the mayor. I found it interesting that those seeking office were asked if they would work with the mayor, but those currently holding office were not asked why they would not work with the mayor. Intersting.
The candidates were selected to speak in a random order. The first candidate to address the crowd was Lea Ann Jones Ulmer, candidate for Alderwoman at Large. As she was about to take the stage, she handed me a campaign card and on the front of the card, there was a crooked sign of the City of Lumberton Corp. Limits. I was thinking to myself, why would she have this on her campaign card. Well, I turned the card over, and it said "Let's straighten Lumberton Up! Ah ha moment. I could see what she was doing and it went along with the speech she made. Lea Ann said she would work with the board and the mayor so the City of Lumberton could move forward.
The next candidate to speak was Jonathan Griffith. As some of you may or may not know, I am seeking election as Alderman of Ward 3. I informed the crowd that our city if plagued with issues of popularity and favortism. I told the crowd that we should no longer select elected officials based last name, church affiliation, friendship or favortism. I said that we are in the shape we're in because we want our buddies in office and not those that will demand truth and transparency. I told the audience that we could either stay chained to the past or decide to move bodly into the future.
Jay McGrew was next to address the crowd but I outlined his information at the beginning of the blog post.
Next on the agenda was Kent Crider, Alderman of Ward 1 addressed the crowd. He said he spent the last four years attempting to get a hospital for the City of Lumberton. He said he was working hard and was able to make a call to former Governor Haley Barbour about getting a hospital. Well, here's where I get on my soapbox. You spent four years to make a call to get a hospital. I wanted to know if he brought the Mayor on board with his quest to get a hospital for Lumberton. Unfortunatley, he was not asked that question, so he didn't have to say. But he did ask the citizens to give him another opporutnity to serve. I'm guessing he is gonna make another call if elected for another four years.
Tina Speights-Holder, Candidate for Alderwoman of Ward 1, addressed the crowd. Tina said she will bring many caps to the table if elected to serve on the board. She said she look at issues as a mother, a grandmother, a resident and a business owner. She said she wanted to become involved in politics because she feel that a large segment of her community was not being represented on the board. Tina Speights-Holder said she will serve ALL the residents of her community and not just a few members. She said it is time for fresh, respectful leadership. Tina said it's time for a board that is willing to work for a better Lumberton. Tina said want to see Lumberton grow and prosper because she is invested in this city and she want to have something better for her grandchildren. From parts of her speech, you could tell that Tina is a woman of faith. She made a reference to Lumberton having an expected end. I immediately thought of the scripture in bible...for I know the thoughts I have for you saith the Lord...thoughts of peace and not of evil...to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11) Tina Speights-Holder said she would use her skills as a business woman as well as a wife, parent, and grand mother, to bring a different approach for the greater good of the City of Lumberton.
Jerry Walter, Candidate for Alderman of Ward 1, said he was concerned about the mismanagement of the city. Jerry Walters is currently serving as Chief of the Lumberton Volunteer Fire Department. Walters said he is concerned about our fire rating and the lack of care in regards to the maintenance of the city. Walters said we have a lot of positive feedback about the new green spaces, but it is being overshadowed by the lack of lawn care and maintenance in regards to our fire hydrants and other areas within the city. Walters said he would like to see some major improvments made to the Wood-Hinton Park. Walters addressed the need for improvements to increase our fire rating as well. Walters said he would like to work to get services to the new industrial park and work to bring industry to this city.
Bobby Gibson, Alderman at Large, also said he worked with Kent Crider in an effort to get a hospital for the City of Lumberton. Gibson said he has worked to get lighting from the interstate installed for safety purposes. Gibson also said he worked to help get the industrial park certified. Like the other incumbents, Gibson was not asked to explain why he and the other aldermen were not willing to work with Mayor Holder.
Cora Rogers, Candidate for Alderwoman at Large, said her skills as a businesswoman and a grant administrator will be very useful if elected to serve the City of Lumberton. Rogers said she will make sure city hall is accountable to the citzens of Lumberton. Rogers said she would buy her some boots and ride on the back of the truck to make sure the meters are being read properly and she will even stay at city hall during the recording process; just to make sure the residents are receiving a fair and accurate water bill. Rogers said she is more than willing to work with anyone that's elected to serve and she will work tirelessly to help steer Lumberton in a postive direction.
Quincy Rogers, Alderman Ward 3, said he would like the opportunity to serve another 4 year term. Rogers has served as adlerman of Ward 3 for the past 8 years and said he would like the opporutnity to see completion of certain projects; such as Azalea Gardens. Rogers said he has always tried to work with all elected officials and have no problem with working with others.
I will review the mayoral candidates in a separte review because this post is getting rather lenghty. The Hattiesburg American will feature interviews of the candidate. They articles will be featured in the paper sometime this week. I apologize but I don't have the exact date. I would like to encourge everyone to get out and vote. The future of our city depends on your participation.
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