Lumberton Informer

As we get closer to the November 3rd election, it’s time to get to know the “real” candidates. There’s a lot at stake in this election and voters need to truly know the candidates seeking the position as Lamar County, District 2 Supervisor. The candidates are Incumbent, Warren Byrd and former supervisor and current Mayor of Lumberton, Ben Winston. I received campaign materials from both and will break down the claims made by each candidate. Let’s start with Ben Winston. On Winston’s flyer, he makes the claim that he is dedicated, responsible, has fiscal responsibility, a unifier and a strong voice for our youth and seniors. Well, let’s see. I’m not sure Winston is able to say he’s dedicated since he actually left his position as a pastor to pursue political interests. Winston claim to be a unifier but he has failed to unify the Lumberton Board and before getting elected he actually went to court to have an elderly member put out of church. I guess that also dispute his ...

In Hollywood, there’s a Walk of Fame where celebrities are recognized for their achievements in the entertainment industry. Well, here in Lumberton, there’s a Walk of Fame that recognizes academic achievements. Those visiting LHS will notice that there’s an ACT STAR WALK OF FAME at the front entrance of the school. This ACT STAR WALK OF FAME has been implemented to recognize students who have scored 18 and above on the ACT test. Currently, there are 18 ACT STARS , with 15 scoring 20 +. Also, there are students that have the distinct designation of being recognized as SUPER NOVAS because they scored 25+ on their ACT exam. The SUPERNOVAS are Parker Thompson, Kristal Bethe and Jessary Evans. The STAR students are Madison Barrett, Tanner Bounds, Dymon Buckley, Takiya Buckner, Jordan Gatewood, Austin Hollinhead, Mathan Jenkins, Zachary Knue, Vincent Lee, Jasmine McGill, Jashawn McLemore, Blake Ray, Savannah Smith, and Eli Taylor. If I omitted or misspelled any names please ...

Surprisingly, I received my water bill before the month of November. Kudos for finally doing something right. I was looking over the bill and it’s a little higher than usual. Unfortunately, there’s no way to find out where the error took place. For some reason, the electronic wand is not getting used because no one is on payroll that knows how to use the expensive paper weight. I added up the fees we’re paying for the once a week garbage collection and something is not adding up. We pay $13.20 per household for garbage pick up one day a week. I can’t remember the exact number of water bill accounts in Lumberton but I think it’s around 700-750 accounts. However, based on 700 water bill customers (that does not include business accounts), the City of Lumberton is collecting $110,880/year in garbage fees alone. Based on the monthly fees paid to WastePro, the City of Lumberton is paying them $96,000/year for service the residents of Lumberton once a week. However, a lot of...

After court, I started reading the comments on the blog and I’m taking some of your suggestions. Just last week , someone sent me a comment and a link about a blogger that won a case after he was jailed over creating a Twitter account about a public official. He was arrested and won a lawsuit after he was arrested about his social media site. I’m still considering filing a lawsuit against the City of Lumberton but before I take that step, I have decided to create a weekly column called The Lumberton Chronicles: A Parody. We all heard about the antics of the public officials, from public drunkenness, prescription drug abuse, selling of marijuana, extra-marital affairs, theft, bribery, etc. Well, I think it’s time to post some of those street committee stories in a paradoxical manner since everyone is so offended. I’m doing it for comic relief and to vent about certain issues that others are afraid to talk about. That way, I can focus on being more professional in my ...

When I think of the executives of MRHA, I think of the Borg. They move in to assimilate and continue to let the residents know that resistance is futile. They claim they’re in the housing business but they have very few obligations to the tenants but the tenants are burdened with a litany of requirements. For instance, in a city with one officer per shift, residents are evicted for defending themselves when attacked. There’s all this talk about people’s right to bear arms but a mother cannot protect her child and remain a resident. Interesting. At one point, residents were evicted for failure to pay a $13/month lawn care fee. Keep in mind that management moved them in knowing they had zero income but that didn’t matter. It was later discovered that residents could not be charged lawn care fees due to a HUD regulations but the tenants that were evicted were not permitted to return to the property. Mississippi Housing Authority has several properties in Lumberton and they also fund...

Waste not want not! An interesting concept. If you use a commodity or resource carefully and without extravagance, you will never be in need. Well, the City of Lumberton has had its collection plate out begging for donations to the building fund ever since Ben Winston took office (everyone that attends black churches knows that the building fund has been collected all their life but they haven’t purchased a door knob for the church). Under his leadership we have no accountability, no one accept responsibility and no forward mobility. Just last Tuesday, I saw one man reading the meters for Mississippi Power and on the same day, I saw a few people reading water meters for the City of Lumberton. Well, on Friday, I received the bill from Mississippi Power but I’m guessing the water bills from the City of Lumberton will be mailed out October 30, 2015 at 1:57 pm. Keep in mind that one person read meters for Mississippi Power with an electronic wand to enter the data, a truck and some com...

For the past few weeks, there’s been a power struggle between one police officer and a group that hang out at the Shell Station in Lumberton. I heard about the run in with the law but shrugged it off because I thought it was a group of teenagers. Well, to my surprise, it’s a group of adults and just this past weekend, the group was informed by this officer that they were banned from congregating in the vacant lot next to the Shell station. So let me get this straight, an elected official can steal from the store, avoid arrest/prosecution, pay $25 and agree to never enter the store again but citizens are banned without due process or even a complaint from store management. Welcome to Lumberton! (sarcasm fully intended) After hearing of the matter, I went to get a copy of the curfew ordinance because I didn’t know about a curfew for adults. Also, there’s always gatherings of loud, disruptive individuals in my neighborhood but they’re never disbanded by police officers. Intere...

I know there’s a lot of negative news about the City of Lumberton but there’s a lot of GREAT things happening at the Lumberton School System. I just received news that Daylon Burks was selected by WDAM as Player of the Week. Yesterday there were a lot of proud parents posting their children’s report cards. I know I can’t name all the students but there’s some outstanding students attending school in Lumberton that are making great strides athletically, academically and through community service. A prime example of the Spirit of Excellence at Lumberton High School is Dymon Buckley; she’s the epitome of brains and beauty. When I saw her report card and she had a 100 in every subject I was beaming with joy (like I had something to do with it.) Kudos to her parents because they’re raising a stellar student that is destined for greatness. I know there are other students that are excelling and I hope they continue to keep up the good work ethic and soar to heights that others couldn...

As I was driving along Main Street Wednesday morning, I noticed there were workers from Lamar County mowing the grass on Main Street in Lumberton. I control of the Lumberton Public Library, Wood-Hinton Park and the South Industrial Park has been turned over to Lamar County but it was just odd to see County workers doing a job that should have been performed by Lumberton’s Public Works Department employees. Just another reminder that Mayor Ben Winston has turned Lumberton into a city of beggars; incorporated welfare queens. Welfare queen is a pejorative phrase that is used to refer to people, usually women, who are accused of collecting excessive assistance through fraud and manipulation. That sounds exactly like Ben Winston’s administration. Since Winston took office, he has cut programs and slashed essential services while going to Lamar County Board meetings asking for handouts. I’m trying to upload the videos of those meetings but they’re in the cloud somewh...

As I was driving past the airport, I noticed the large number of trailers stationed at the airport. Keep in mind that someone looking to build a home in Lumberton was forced to jump through fiery hoops just to get approval to put her trailer on her property. Since I’m not your average bear, I wonder if there’s water /sewer services at the airport? I wonder how much visitors are getting charged to use those housing units? Trust…they’re paying and Gold Coast Skydivers are banking the profits. When it comes time to renegotiate their contract, they claim they’re barely making ends meet but somehow they’ve made enough money in Lumberton (on saving alone) to buy another airplane and set up another diving school in Louisiana. Must be nice to have control over an entire airport for $350/month while the City of Lumberton use their resources and taxes to pay for ALL the improvements. Well, the Gold Coast Skydivers cut the grass every now and then. What a deal! (sarcasm fully intende...

As you know, I was in court yesterday defending my first amendment rights. My attorney presented a good case but if you follow the videos I post, we were told that a verdict would be issued in 15 days; election day. So, that gives me 2 weeks to focus on other things and it also give me 2 weeks to post videos of Ben Winston and his shenanigans at the board meetings and when he went begging for the Lamar County Board of Supervisors to bail out the City of Lumberton. When I was in court, I learned that the case was based on the idea that I called a person an incompetent liar and thief. I don't recall calling anyone a thief. What I do remember is stating that there was some mismanagement of city funds; there's a difference. However, I stand behind the claim that city hall is filled with liars. When I was listening to testimony that claimed that I was a stalker and following people to the grocery store I was puzzled. I rarely shop at Ramey's in Lumberton (I usually shop...

If you have followed this blog, you are aware that I am going into court on Monday, October 19, 2015 to defend my first amendment rights. One of the star witnesses in this case is Mayor Ben Winston, the same man that was on the news for failing to pay the City of Lumberton's jail bill of $19,732.95, caused the City of Lumberton to default on their MDQ loan payment's that resulted in having a tax lien to on the city's sales taxes (the City of Lumberton is now in a repayment plan that will cost $266,198.07) and this is the same person that will be on the ballot in 16 days seeking election as a County Supervisor. So, I think it would be fair to say that Winston has a vested interest in getting this blog shut down because many of his poor business decisions are not featured on WDAM. Another witness is former alderman and business partner of Ben Winston, Bobby Gibson. I am still confused about his willingness to take the stands especially with all his not so secret sec...

If you’re like me, you’re tired of hearing about what’s wrong with Lumberton. Admittedly, there are plenty of things wrong with the City of Lumberton; especially at city hall but there’s always another vantage point to consider. Whenever you look at the Lumberton School System, there’s always some good news to report. Based on Facebook statuses, there are a lot of students excelling academically. Just before the fall break, I saw photos from a weekend clean-up effort by the Beta club. I haven’t followed the Lumberton Panther 2015 Football season but despite the changing of the guards, there are still players that are standing out and making a name for themselves. This is the year of Daylon Burks. I Googled him and it seems that he’s been making headlines since 2012. I’m not sure if it was before or after the homecoming game when I noticed an increase in posts about Burks but a lot of people has spoken very highly of his athletic prowess. Now before everyone jump on the fac...

If you watched the six o'clock news, you saw Mayor Ben Winston , dressed in his Sunday best, holding two checks, making claims that the City of Lumberton has the funds needed to pay the $19,792.35 Lamar County jail bill that has not been paid in over a year. It seems that a year ago, under the direction of Mayor Ben Winston, the City of Lumberton stopped paying certain bills. Just the other day, the board held a special called meeting to settle an agreement to repay $266,198.07 on a defaulted MDQ loan. The mayor and board scrambled to get an agreement in place because the MDQ was granted a tax lien against the City of Lumberton's sales taxes. As I stated time and time again, Ben Winston wants to serve as a Lamar County Supervisor but for the past year, he has made a decision to NOT pay the bills for the City of Lumberton. He's a prime example of poor leadership. While watching the interview, several points caught my attention. While Winston was talking from...

It seems that there’s a particular officer that insists upon enforcing a curfew ordinance on adults. Generally, it’s very difficult to obtain access to public records at Lumberton’s city hall but after yesterday’s special call meeting, I went into the office to look at the minute books and to obtain a copy of the curfew ordinance. Well, at least part of my request was granted. The deputy clerk informed me that they had a copy of the curfew ordinance and gave me a copy after I paid $1.75 (fee for printing). After looking over the ordinance, I realized it was temporary curfew ordinance that was specifically adopted for enforcement in Turnkey (that’s what it had listed on the ordinance) and not the curfew ordinance that was adopted by the board in 2009. Since I am still awaiting permission to view the minutes, I don’t know the exact date when the new ordinance was adopted but let’s say this is the only ordinance they have on file. If so, then Officer Unfriendly is not operat...

Today at 2:30 p.m. there was a special call meeting at Lumberton City Hall. I barely made it to the meeting on time because I didn't see the posting until after noon. At the meeting, there was a couple there that also said they almost missed the notice of the meeting posted at the library. It was a short agenda but there was plenty of propaganda being spread. The first agenda item was discuss and vote to receive quotes to purchase two diffused air type aerators for use that the city's sewage lagoon as part of the CDBG Sewer System Improvement project. It was said that the aerators are being paid for using the $150,000 grant that was obtained to provide sewer services to residents of Lower Airport Road but since they rejected the project, the money is now being used to improve the city's sewer lagoon. Well, the next agenda item was to allow the mayor to sign the order of settlement with the MDQ for payment in the amount of $50,650.45 and subsequent payments o...

Over the weekend, people were talking about how Ben Winston was purchasing support for his bid to become District 2 Supervisor of Lamar County. There were some that were concerned how I would feel about the matter but if Ben Winston has sunk to a new low by paying for support then allow us to see another side of his flawed character. Why would anyone that running for office find it necessary to pay crackheads and crackwhores to campaign for him? Ben has pulled out all the stops. He's preying I mean paying anyone that needs a few dollars to support his cause; even if they don't support him. Most campaigns are filled with people that volunteer because they believe in the candidate. Ben is so desperate to gain support or give the illusion of support that he's allegedly paying people to put the Help Ben Win signs on their cars, trucks and in their yards. Personally, I don't care who supports Ben but I can not and will not put a sign in my yard if I do...

Are you interested in joining the Family Y? Do you want to get a free preview of their facility and classes? Well, here's your opportunity. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Family Y will host a Workout for Pink event every Saturday during the month of October. The event is open for members and non-members. The kick off for the event was Saturday, October 3, 2015 but you still have time to join in and get a chance to see what the Family Y has to offer. WHEN: The Family YMCA: 3719 Veterans Memorial Drive, Hattiesburg, MS 39401 DATES: October 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2015 TIME: 9 am-11 am (each Saturday) For more information contact Chrys Holmes at 601-583-4000

Those of you that follow my blog know about the case I'm dealing with regarding the protection of my First Amendment Rights. Well, did I tell you that I was served again on Monday. As I stated in earlier posts, I knew this case was going to become the City of Lumberton vs. the Lumberton Informer based on the individuals that were showing up to testify. It's interesting that Mayor Ben Winston, candidate for District 2 Stupervisor I mean Supervisor is always there, Jay McGraw was absent at the last court hearing but I have a feeling that he will think Zippo-gate is over and he will probably show up, Bobby, the crack head hunter or should I just say the head hunter, Gibson, Tommy, slanger of dirty meat, Dukes was there and Cora Rogers was there with her good wig. Oh, and that troglodyte they hired as a third deputy clerk, Melissa, was there studying my blog in the corridor. According to the documents I received, I allegedly violated a gag order that was in place. Personally, I ...

The first item on the agenda was to go into executive session to discuss personnel and litigation issues. After they returned to the board room, Mayor Winston explained that it was a matter involving the Mississippi Regional Housing Authority and the fact the City of Lumberton owes them a considerable amount of money. This morning, I was looking through some old papers because I attended a lot of those meetings in Gulfport with the Housing Authority and I discovered I still had a copy of a Memo from J.P.Lawrence regarding this very issue. Now, this should be interesting since the City of Lumberton employees that were involved in this transaction are no longer employed and I have a key piece of information that could save the City of Lumberton thousands of dollars but there's this little matter of The City of Lumberton vs. The Lumberton Informer. You see, the people they have on board now are just learning how to open their handbooks but I've been attending meetings for a long...

Yesterday, I received an anonymous text that said I needed to take several seats. First let me say, I went to Google to see how was it possible that I received an anonymous text and the amount of work required to accomplish that cowardly feat is just too time consuming for me but hey cowards do what cowards do. However, I agree with the text, I should take a seat as a matter of fact I need several seats. I think 100 is a good number. Don't you? Now, I'm going to discuss the various comments that were posted yesterday and hopefully this will put this matter to rest. Hopefully, you Gerber Christians will learn something from this post because it's obvious that you're not getting any meat on Sundays. Whenever criticism is rendered towards a minister we often hear people defend their spiritual or religious leaders with such words as "touch not my anointed" when such leaders are being questioned or spoken against regarding their ungodly ...