The past five-plus years have been punishing for Clarksdale, with population decline, decline in retail stores, decline in property values and a decline in safety and security.
So what will Clarksdale look like in five years?
Will we have done away with 250 burned-out houses by demolishing 50 a year in a tough and aggressive neighborhood clean-up program like our Mayor said he would?
Will the streets paved this summer still be in good shape by not allowing heavy trucks and cars leaking oil and transmission fluid to be parked indefinitely on city streets like our Mayor said he would?
Can we get 50 junk cars out of people’s yards each year and 250 hauled off in five years like the Mayor said he would? With a neighbor on each side and one across the street that’s 750 happy voters.
Will we have our homicide rate in single digits by adequately funding police and then holding judges’ accountable so those convicted of crime are justifiably punished?
Will we have collected half a million dollars a year in unpaid fines to finally get the $2 million owed off the books?
Will we clean up and fix three empty downtown store fronts a year and have 15 marketable business properties that add much to the charm and appearance of our town?
Will our two public school districts be consolidated and the $55 million spent annually on two school systems, bring $275 million in quality education to today’s middle schoolers who will graduate in five years?
Will ten percent of our people continue to leave over the next five years sending our population under 10,000?
Will highways and interstates be built to bring goods to our stores and carry away products manufactured in our factories?
Will our hospital be here and will we have found the solution to solve our healthcare crisis that is affecting the entire Mississippi Delta?
Yes, it is easy to ask these questions and sadly, many will nod their head and not do anything to help solve these problems.
We would like to point out Clarksdale will see city candidates file for public office in a little over three months. Who are the men and women who can turn this town around?
Clarksdale need leaders who can honestly get people to come to the table and make a plan for our community.
If we don’t . . . well, what will Clarksdale look like in five years?
