As I read the headlines in The Natchez Democrat regarding the board members walking out of a public meeting on Tuesday, I felt anger, sadness, frustration and embarrassment among other emotions.

It was like a children’s game of follow the leader. Do any of you have minds of your own? If one of you jumped in the river will the rest of you follow? Based on Tuesday’s meeting it seems like you would.

I don’t care who you are or what race, creed, nationality or ward you represent, walking out of that meeting was unacceptable.

Did your widdle feelings get hurt? Shame on all of you! Your job is to represent the people of Natchez. Your agenda should be to uphold the laws in Natchez.

How is Natchez going to move forward when you are not there to vote on issues? You’re getting paid taxpayer dollars to sit there, conduct city business and do it in a timely manner.

You ran for the position, so you knew what it entailed (or perhaps not…). Do your job! I don’t care if you don’t like what you see or don’t see, hear or don’t hear during a meeting. You get the respect you give during those meetings.

I have watched a few and have had to change the channel. It is laughable how the meetings are conducted.

Let’s be honest here. Natchez is a town divided and under siege, racially, morally and ethically.

I see it, neighbors see it, and tourists see it. No big surprise. And you know who is encouraging and participating in the drama? The people we elect.

Again, no big surprise. And, the reason our elite board of aldermen/alderwomen and mayor act as they do? Because we allow them to.

Once more, no big surprise. Do we call for them to step down? No!

It is our fault. Yours, mine and ours. Again, sad, but no big surprise.

I have had enough of all the political drama.

It is immature, unprofessional and comical at best.

Is Natchez better off than it was four years ago, eight years ago? How many jobs have been brought to Natchez? Are our infrastructure and streets in need of repair? Do we have abandoned and unsafe buildings? Is our city safe? How do our neighborhoods look?

If you answer these questions honestly, I don’t know how all of you sleep at night.

Think of your position as though you worked in the real world and were held accountable for your job.

Act accordingly. Learn what is required of your position. Represent your constituents. Earn your pay. And leave the drama outside the office.

Otherwise, voters will be forced to exercise their electoral rights and say, in the immortal words of reality TV, “You’re fired!”

 

Johnnie Galer

Natchez resident