Do you realize that in 44 days we will elect new city officials in Clarksdale?
With all the change we are seeing after the November national election, we can only hope that change will trickle down to the local level.
We saw change in the Coahoma County election two years ago and it appears some of those changes were a move in the right direction.
But let me assure you that the winds of change are fickle and often stop blowing.
Federal change
Can you believe the number of Executive Orders President Donald Trump has signed in less than 30 days?
“The Donald” has signed 60 executive orders in an effort to stop the talk and get things done in this country.
We wish our Board of Mayor and Commissioners would take a hint. Most of you have had eight or more years to accomplish your goals.
Trump’s first Executive Order proclaimed ending the weaponization of the Federal Government. He also revoked more than 53 Executive Orders of previous Presidents.
Then he signed one of my favorites: Executive Order 14149, restoring freedom of speech and ending state sponsored censorship.
“The First Amendment to the United States Constitution, an amendment essential to the success of our Republic, enshrines the right of the American people to speak freely in the public square without Government interference,” says EO 14149.
“Under the guise of combatting ‘misinformation,’ ‘disinformation,’ and ‘malinformation,’ the Federal Government infringed on the constitutionally protected speech rights of American citizens across the United States in a manner that advanced the Government’s preferred narrative about significant matters of public debate.”
And it happens in Clarksdale, too.
We have come a long way since 1776. I hope we never lose our trust in our government and what it stands for.
State stuff
Can you really believe Mississippi is about to pass significant change in the way it taxes poor people? Doing away with an income tax and a drop the sales tax on groceries are real possibilities.
Local legislators have also sent a bill to the Senate floor requiring anyone who buys a car tag to show proof of insurance.
I have been hit by uninsured motorists twice in my life.
I had someone call about having a fender bent on a downtown street last week. The culprit drove off and it was only thanks to some nifty police work of looking at business security cameras and matching paint that they found the lady involved. She has promised to pay for the damages out of her own pocket, but the victim is not holding his breath and stands ready to hire a lawyer.
The state has also put teeth into a law that lets property owners evict squatters – or those who don’t pay rent – by having law enforcement give them notice to leave. Renters then have two to eight weeks to leave and can be held liable for damages done to the property.
Local Law
City leaders call them ordinances, but they are the laws of Clarksdale.
I have often wondered why our Mayor and Commissioners don’t spend more time enforcing the ordinances rather than spending tax-payer dollars on their friends – or voting themselves hefty pay raises.
We can clean up Clarksdale by making property owners take care of their property. People should be cited for health or safety concerns and then make them pay a fine.
We can stop panhandlers on city streets in 24-hours. Clarksdale has an ordinance against panhandling and the minute these guys know police will pick them up, they will find work or head out of town.
We can stop crime by stopping cars on simple traffic violations. The bad boys will quickly realize the police are watching and either turn from their evil ways or find somewhere else to live. How long has it been since you have seen a major drug bust in Clarksdale? Pulling over cars and searching them for drugs and guns would cut crime in Clarksdale in 30 days.
We can improve education by hiring more truant officers who make kids go to school. Parents need to be threatened with fines if they don’t make their children go to classes.
We can stop domestic violence by letting couples know someone is going to jail if the police show up. This process also requires judges to not cut the perpetrator any slack and making sure both parties get counseling.
There is a better way
We hold revival at Oakhurst Baptist Church this week. The pastor who ministered to Billy Graham upon Graham’s retirement will be the speaker. The doors are open to all and you can find the dates and times in a big blue ad on Page 3 of today paper. I hope to see you there.
I took part in a march sponsored by a local church when homicides reached their peak last summer.
We have had several pastors step up and host city-wide prayer meetings begging God for deliverance.
We have had four new pastors move into this community over the past 18-months.
Things always change. They either get better or they get worse. They don’t stay the same.
Clarksdale is ripe for real transformation and in a little over a month you can vote for men and women who are willing to work for positive change.
Look around Clarksdale. Don’t be fooled by smooth talkers looking for a paycheck. We can’t stand another four years of that.
Don’t let someone say they are going to bring a skating rink, bowling alley or movie theater to our town for the kids. Entertaining you and your children is not the role of city government.
Ask candidates if they are willing to cut their high-price paychecks and put taxpayer dollars to good use.
Ask candidates if they will support police and let them do the dirty job of making people act right.
And don’t be led astray by someone promising jobs and grand development schemes. Jobs are created by businessmen and women who want to live and work here and not politicians.
Clarksdale can make the winds of change quickly blow through this town.
I can’t wait until those new Spring winds gets here.
Floyd Ingram is the Editor of your Clarksdale Press Register. He has seen towns elect poor leaders and suffer from it too many times. Call him at 662-627-2201 with your words of hope.
