By Janice K. Neal-Vincent, Ph.D.,
Contributing Writer,
For several weeks now, Jackson’s mayoral candidates have been delivering stump speeches expressing why they each should become city manager. Each candidate is striving to convince voters that he or she is the only one qualified to be Jackson’s new mayor and bring it to restoration. During calm and heated moments while on the campaign trail, each contender stuck to his/her original position and stressed the above appeal.
The Afrikan Art Gallery on North Farish Street and Millsaps College were two venues that held forums Monday and Tuesday of this week for the public to get the candidates’ priorities to improve the City of Jackson. The tone of the debates was established at Afrikan Art Gallery and Millsaps, and contenders were required to adhere to the rules of “civility.” They were also held to time frames for their “thinking” and “speaking” responses.
In striving to allay residents’ fears regarding the status quo, the following issues were dealt with extensively: infrastructure, economic development; public safety, including policing efforts; domestic violence, status of the Jackson zoo; the Dialysis Center at Jackson Medical Mall; the Metro Center; population decline; lack of city attractions; shopping outside Jackson; taxes, work-related responsibility and accountability; funding for Jackson Public Schools; city-friendly mentality vs. disrespect; and youth programs. In many respects, candidates were on one accord in reference to disunity in Jackson. They talked about the need to establish “unification,” but failed to identify the true meaning of “effective communication” and what it would take to bridge the communication gaps from the citizenry to governance.
Building a relationship “with the people” was an overarching element for both forums. Based upon that, leadership ranked as a priority. Candidate James Hopkins emphasized that on the first day as Jackson’s mayor, “I want every employee to apply for a job, and give them 90 days to turn it around. We’re going to do it with unity and love.” On another note, Socrates Garrett commented he was going to establish who is in charge and his personnel to revive the City of Jackson. Mayor Chokwe Lumumba pitched, “We have to understand that one person doesn’t have all the answers to solve a problem. The Peoples’ Assembly is a strong mechanism for problem-solving.” Senator John Horhn pitched, “We need to adopt a customer-service first attitude.” “It’s going to take all of us working together. [I will utilize] a task force to go after crime,” Tim Henderson said.
Apart from these concerns, David Archie quipped, “Corruption is my number one issue when it comes to governance. Following that is crime…We must stabilize our communities.” Then Rodney DePriest said, “Implementing policies to make our people safe is [vital].”
As they continued to emphasize their viewpoints, contenders for the 2025 Mayoral Campaign for Jackson seemed to be on one accord regarding the need for Jackson to be stabilized. They stressed a dire need for “partnerships” to be established. Working with the governor, the legislature, and all parties needed to improve the city was a crucial point of the two forums. Even at that, children’s social development was a driving edge for community partnerships: parents, homes, churches and schools. Lastly, many concurred that candidates’ resumes are good in and of themselves, but “being doers of the pages” is what matters.
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