Orlando Paden has been the Mayor of Clarksdale since July 1 and he is already working on his two top priorities – eliminating blight and bringing economic development to the community.
Paden talked about those priorities as the guest speaker at the Clarksdale Exchange Club meeting at Stone Pony on Wednesday. He also attempted to clear up a misconception about his plans with city department heads during his talk.
Paden acknowledged the city posted job listings saying the different department head positions were open.
"I want to be completely transparent about this,” Paden said. “No one has been removed from any position. What we have done is ask those currently serving in key roles to reapply by also opening those positions to new applicants. This is not about politics. This is about progress. The world is changing rapidly."
Paden said technology, expectations and needs of citizens are evolving every day. Looking forward, Paden said he wants the best, most passionate and prepared people for each department head position. He said reevaluating things every four years was part of what he did as a State Representative for 10 years and is continuing to do as the mayor.
As Paden talked about his goals, he stressed his love for Clarksdale.
"Let me say this plain,” he said. “Clarksdale is the greatest city on Earth. As someone who was born and raised here, educated here and mentored by the best right here in this city, I consider it the highest privilege to serve as your mayor of Clarksdale. Clarksdale shaped me into the person that I am today and I carry that pride every single day."
Paden said the city had already made tremendous progress toward eliminating blight and bringing economic development to the community.
"As we all know, perception is everything,” he said. “Like many of you, I want to see new businesses invest in our city. But to attract that kind of growth, we must first clean up our own backyards."
Paden said, on July 18, the Board of Mayor and Commissioners met with the Coahoma County Board of Supervisors to affirm their shared commitment of working together. He added the city and county are working together to clean up blight. He noted the Clarksdale Public Works team and the Coahoma County Road Department have already removed seven of the identified 28 demolished structures.
"We are just getting started,” Paden said.
Paden said 512 individuals have picked up the 'Communities Unlimited' Healthy Homes Program applications from the mayor’s office applying for grant funds available to help address health and safety hazards in owner-occupied homes.
Paden said the government cannot do things alone and it is everyone's responsibility to clean up after themselves.
In the coming days, Paden said the city will be rolling out several educational and community focuses aimed to increase literacy and readership among the youth and adults and expand the workforce.
"Our challenges are real,” Paden said. “We know that, but Clarksdale is something special."
Paden thanked everyone for being a part of the community.
"I believe in Clarksdale, not because of what we have been, but because of what are becoming,” he said. “The future is something we build."
Concluding his remarks, Paden quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saying, “‘Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.’”
