The other day, I made a statement asking were there at least three righteous serving on the Lumberton Board of Alderpersons. After that comment was made, I received a high number of private messages. I don't know why people choose to address me via inbox because I still have a record of your information. Anyway, those of you that are familiar with the bible know that was a play on the process when Abraham was pleading with God; asking him not to destroy the city. I would give a complete overview of the matter but it's found in Genesis 18. Abraham declares "if I find fifty righteous souls" will you spare the city. Well, as you know, the number continued to decrease and Abraham lowered the number to "ten righteous souls". Ultimately, Abraham wins the argument but loses the case. God sends two angels to go see if Abraham’s 10 righteous can be found in Sodom. Generally, I don't respond to inbox questions or comments but since most seemed to accuse me of judging a minister, I felt the need to respond via a new post. For the record, I don't have the ability to judge anyone. Only God knows the heart. All I can do is inspect the fruit that is displayed on the tree. Now, if you say you're a grape vine but all you're producing is lemons; well something is not lining up. Either you are have delusions about your nature or you're not who you claim to be.
Let me be clear, I have no qualms with Ben Winston or his role as a minister. Everything I am addressing about Winston is his service as an elected official. I may use biblical reference in order to drive my point but it is not an attack on his role as a minster. As stated in Ezekiel 33:6, "But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand." In other words, I am seeing the sword that is being wielded against the City of Lumberton and wondering why the watchman is not warning the people. At this point, I don't know how to categorize our mayor. I don't know if he should be called the King of Sodom or Aaron the father of Nabab and Abihu. Before you get your bible pages in frenzy, please allow me to explain.
When I make the reference to the King of Sodom, I mean in reference to the following definition: sodomy is essentially copulation without procreation. As you know, there are those that are copulating with the City of Lumberton but nothing is being produced or pro-created. When Winston ran for the office of Mayor, he promised there were several shovel ready jobs waiting for him to get elected so they can open their businesses in Lumberton. Look around, where are those shovel ready businesses he promised? He promised to bring life (economic growth) to the City of Lumberton but he's doing the opposite; he's taking life from the city. I still don't know the full story behind the closing of Dirt Cheap but those are jobs that are no longer in Lumberton. When you call the Dirt Cheap headquarters, they will readily tell you that the Lumberton location was closed because the owners of the building raised to rent to a point where they would no longer make a profit if they reminded open. Now, you mean to tell me that Wheels and Deals, LLC can pay more in rent that Dirt Cheap or was the rent raised to shut them down so they can have weekly auctions and so Winston's wife can sell gift baskets at the location. I don't have the proof but I think Winston's business partners raised the rent and since I mainly see Winston, Gibson and Ockmond at the building, I think they may be the owners of the building. It's easy to find out; I just didn't feel like going to the land records office to pull the information. Perhaps someone will take the time out of their day to gather this information. Regardless of the outcome, life (economic growth/jobs) has been taken from this city with the closure of Dirt Cheap.
Another area of Lumberton that's about to be taken is garbage collection. We have 3-4 men that will lose their jobs because the elected officials of Lumberton do not want to purchase another garbage truck. They are getting ready to outsource garbage collection to another entity. Essentially, they are going to take the thousands of dollars collected each month and put on the books in Lumberton and write a check to another city to perform the services. The transfer is not going to save the citizens of Lumberton any money. As a matter of fact, it may cost more because those that will be awarded the collection bid will charge extra for certain forms of garbage that's left on the corner.
Another goal of Winston is to rid the city of its police department. I know the LPD has a lot of flaws but overall, I would rather have local police officers than waiting on county officers to respond to a call. We all know how these so called "real ninjas" behave when it gets warm. I don't know how he plan on making this transfer but he's giving away the City of Lumberton piece by piece and most of the residents of Lumberton are sitting on their hands like none of this matter. Otherwise, they would be outraged and demanding answers. Don't wait until the battle is over to shout.
If you would recall, earlier in the blog, I also stated that Ben was acting like Aaron, the father of Nabab and Abihu. Aaron did not correct his sons when they were lighting their censures themselves. Essentially, looking the other way. Winston is doing the same when it comes to Kent Crider and Johnny Buckley. The other night, Alderman Quincy Rogers addressed the board and emphatically stated that the fire department was run by the City of Lumberton. Crier then barked that the fire department is under contract and not under the control of the City of Lumberton. Now how in the Texas Chili cook-off is a department is solely funded by money from the City of Lumberton not under the control of the City of Lumberton. You mean to tell me that the taxpayers of Lumberton pay the gas bill, water bill, fund the petty account for water/Gatorade, pay for training and equipment but have no say in the day to day operations of the Lumberton Volunteer Fire Department? How this happen and whoever approved a contract of that nature needs to be tied to the stakes Joan of Arc style. It's utterly ridiculous that Lumberton pays all the bills but have no say in what's going on in that department. As a matter of fact, it's against the law for an alderman to serve on a board that is under the direction of the Board of Aldermen. This same matter was brought to the Laurel Board of Aldermen and it was deemed illegal for a board member to serve on any board that had to file an appeal or rely on the decision of the Board of Aldermen. But Kent Crider said that is not against the law, but Crider is also the same person that said it was illegal to record a public meeting. I'm guessing Crider will create any law to suit his needs at that moment. There's an attorney general opinion on this matter, I will find it and give you the link so you can see for yourself. Also, while talking about the LVFD and the board, I would like to know who approved to give Kent Crider and Johnny Buckley Fuel man cards and PIN #'s. Again, the takers continue to take. Just remember that the City of Hattiesburg is dealing with individuals having access to Fuel Man cards and some people are about to go to jail over unauthorized charges made on those cards. One thing for certain, they can't continue to get away with taking from the City of Lumberton and that's the reason why I asked, are there at least three righteous people serving on the board. If so, they need to stand on the Word of God and stand together and take back this city from the "Takers." Our former mayor could not get a password to get information about unauthorized charges on the Fuel Man accounts but now we have a mayor that's sitting idly by, watching and delegating his responsibilities to others instead of taking action to get these matters corrected. So, who will stand up for Lumberton? Alderman Quincy Rogers is doing all he can but he cannot fight this battle alone. We all know that a cord of three strings is not easily broken. It's time for our other elected officials to stand up and stand together. Next board meeting is April 1; April fool’s Day. Hopefully, the other board members will stand up and stop Mayor Winston, Kent Crider and Johnny Buckley from making a fool of this city while squandering our finances.
The other day, I made a statement asking were there at least three righteous serving on the Lumberton Board of Alderpersons. After that comment was made, I received a high number of private messages. I don't know why people choose to address me via inbox because I still have a record of your information. Anyway, those of you that are familiar with the bible know that was a play on the process when Abraham was pleading with God; asking him not to destroy the city. I would give a complete overview of the matter but it's found in Genesis 18. Abraham declares "if I find fifty righteous souls" will you spare the city. Well, as you know, the number continued to decrease and Abraham lowered the number to "ten righteous souls". Ultimately, Abraham wins the argument but loses the case. God sends two angels to go see if Abraham’s 10 righteous can be found in Sodom. Generally, I don't respond to inbox questions or comments but since most seemed to accuse me of judging a minister, I felt the need to respond via a new post. For the record, I don't have the ability to judge anyone. Only God knows the heart. All I can do is inspect the fruit that is displayed on the tree. Now, if you say you're a grape vine but all you're producing is lemons; well something is not lining up. Either you are have delusions about your nature or you're not who you claim to be.
Let me be clear, I have no qualms with Ben Winston or his role as a minister. Everything I am addressing about Winston is his service as an elected official. I may use biblical reference in order to drive my point but it is not an attack on his role as a minster. As stated in Ezekiel 33:6, "But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand." In other words, I am seeing the sword that is being wielded against the City of Lumberton and wondering why the watchman is not warning the people. At this point, I don't know how to categorize our mayor. I don't know if he should be called the King of Sodom or Aaron the father of Nabab and Abihu. Before you get your bible pages in frenzy, please allow me to explain.
When I make the reference to the King of Sodom, I mean in reference to the following definition: sodomy is essentially copulation without procreation. As you know, there are those that are copulating with the City of Lumberton but nothing is being produced or pro-created. When Winston ran for the office of Mayor, he promised there were several shovel ready jobs waiting for him to get elected so they can open their businesses in Lumberton. Look around, where are those shovel ready businesses he promised? He promised to bring life (economic growth) to the City of Lumberton but he's doing the opposite; he's taking life from the city. I still don't know the full story behind the closing of Dirt Cheap but those are jobs that are no longer in Lumberton. When you call the Dirt Cheap headquarters, they will readily tell you that the Lumberton location was closed because the owners of the building raised to rent to a point where they would no longer make a profit if they reminded open. Now, you mean to tell me that Wheels and Deals, LLC can pay more in rent that Dirt Cheap or was the rent raised to shut them down so they can have weekly auctions and so Winston's wife can sell gift baskets at the location. I don't have the proof but I think Winston's business partners raised the rent and since I mainly see Winston, Gibson and Ockmond at the building, I think they may be the owners of the building. It's easy to find out; I just didn't feel like going to the land records office to pull the information. Perhaps someone will take the time out of their day to gather this information. Regardless of the outcome, life (economic growth/jobs) has been taken from this city with the closure of Dirt Cheap.
Another area of Lumberton that's about to be taken is garbage collection. We have 3-4 men that will lose their jobs because the elected officials of Lumberton do not want to purchase another garbage truck. They are getting ready to outsource garbage collection to another entity. Essentially, they are going to take the thousands of dollars collected each month and put on the books in Lumberton and write a check to another city to perform the services. The transfer is not going to save the citizens of Lumberton any money. As a matter of fact, it may cost more because those that will be awarded the collection bid will charge extra for certain forms of garbage that's left on the corner.
Another goal of Winston is to rid the city of its police department. I know the LPD has a lot of flaws but overall, I would rather have local police officers than waiting on county officers to respond to a call. We all know how these so called "real ninjas" behave when it gets warm. I don't know how he plan on making this transfer but he's giving away the City of Lumberton piece by piece and most of the residents of Lumberton are sitting on their hands like none of this matter. Otherwise, they would be outraged and demanding answers. Don't wait until the battle is over to shout.
If you would recall, earlier in the blog, I also stated that Ben was acting like Aaron, the father of Nabab and Abihu. Aaron did not correct his sons when they were lighting their censures themselves. Essentially, looking the other way. Winston is doing the same when it comes to Kent Crider and Johnny Buckley. The other night, Alderman Quincy Rogers addressed the board and emphatically stated that the fire department was run by the City of Lumberton. Crier then barked that the fire department is under contract and not under the control of the City of Lumberton. Now how in the Texas Chili cook-off is a department is solely funded by money from the City of Lumberton not under the control of the City of Lumberton. You mean to tell me that the taxpayers of Lumberton pay the gas bill, water bill, fund the petty account for water/Gatorade, pay for training and equipment but have no say in the day to day operations of the Lumberton Volunteer Fire Department? How this happen and whoever approved a contract of that nature needs to be tied to the stakes Joan of Arc style. It's utterly ridiculous that Lumberton pays all the bills but have no say in what's going on in that department. As a matter of fact, it's against the law for an alderman to serve on a board that is under the direction of the Board of Aldermen. This same matter was brought to the Laurel Board of Aldermen and it was deemed illegal for a board member to serve on any board that had to file an appeal or rely on the decision of the Board of Aldermen. But Kent Crider said that is not against the law, but Crider is also the same person that said it was illegal to record a public meeting. I'm guessing Crider will create any law to suit his needs at that moment. There's an attorney general opinion on this matter, I will find it and give you the link so you can see for yourself. Also, while talking about the LVFD and the board, I would like to know who approved to give Kent Crider and Johnny Buckley Fuel man cards and PIN #'s. Again, the takers continue to take. Just remember that the City of Hattiesburg is dealing with individuals having access to Fuel Man cards and some people are about to go to jail over unauthorized charges made on those cards. One thing for certain, they can't continue to get away with taking from the City of Lumberton and that's the reason why I asked, are there at least three righteous people serving on the board. If so, they need to stand on the Word of God and stand together and take back this city from the "Takers." Our former mayor could not get a password to get information about unauthorized charges on the Fuel Man accounts but now we have a mayor that's sitting idly by, watching and delegating his responsibilities to others instead of taking action to get these matters corrected. So, who will stand up for Lumberton? Alderman Quincy Rogers is doing all he can but he cannot fight this battle alone. We all know that a cord of three strings is not easily broken. It's time for our other elected officials to stand up and stand together. Next board meeting is April 1; April fool’s Day. Hopefully, the other board members will stand up and stop Mayor Winston, Kent Crider and Johnny Buckley from making a fool of this city while squandering our finances.
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