Prichard Mayor has a choice

A standing room crowd fills the council chambers for the Prichard City Council meeting this past Thursday, and none of the visitors and citizens attending the meeting was there for any other business but info on former Police Chief Jimmie Gardner termination.

Former Chief Jimmie Gardner

Former Police Chief Jimmie Gardner was terminated because his contract had expired and an extension was not approved by the City Council in October. However many in the city like the former mayor Ron Davis, his supporters and his former defeated rival Severia Campbell Morris is spear heading an attack on the newly elected mayor Troy Ephraim about Gardner termination. But it is no surprise the former Mayor Ron Davis will be in support of Gardner whom he hired as police chief during his administration.

A statement by Mayor Troy Ephraim stands out in this matter, "The citizens asked for a new direction for the city of Prichard," Ephriam said. "That's exactly what (the mayor's office is doing)."

By now regardless how the former Police Chief tries and decided to argue his termination and drum up support in his favor, the law stands and the citizens made a choice. In this previous election, I can’t recall that Jimmie Gardner was on the ballot for mayor.

Mayor Ephraim is right, the citizens of Prichard has made a choice and ask for a new direction when they elected Troy Ephraim as mayor by overwhelming margin.

In the midst of all this is Severia Campbell Morris a former candidate for mayor, she is a big supporter of Jimmie Gardner now that she has been defeated for mayor.  Not only does she support Jimmie Gardner, but she also now a big support of the former mayor Ron Davis. I now question the motives of Severia Campbell Morris, was she really running for mayor to make a change for the people of Prichard, are was she running just to capture votes to help Ron Davis. There is something very strange about Severia Campbell Morris.

I interviewed Severia Campbell Morris for a post here on the Political Beacon last fall when she was a candidate for mayor, some of those answers I did not post but I will post today to inform you on why I question her leadership and character.

Severia Campbell Morris is now the voice of the so-called movement that is supporting the former police chief of Prichard, and organizing the same people from her non-profit citizens group and people of Ron Davis camp to attack the mayor.

Severia Campbell-Morris now a resident of Prichard whom moved back here from Illinois has really came back here to stir up flames that she can’t put out.  

I recall last fall when I interview the former mayoral candidate, I asked her did she approve of the leadership of the current Police Chief and the Police Department. Campbell -Morris stated that she did not and that if she was elected mayor she would seek to overhaul the police department and possibly hire a new police chief, because she believes the City was headed in the wrong direction same as the mayor office.

Mayor Ron Davis did everything he could to try and keep Jimmie Gardner in the position. Regardless of the decision that was made by terminating Gardner, the newly Elected Mayor has the right to choose whom he pleases to represent the city and serve in his administration.

There is a lot that goes on that these crooked politicians do that they don’t want you the citizens and voters to know about. Maybe they think you just would look over it and pay it no attention and forget about it.

The council did not vote on Ephriam's termination order. A court hearing into whether Ephriam requires the City Council's endorsement of that move will be held at 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Mobile County courthouse downtown. A judge upheld a restraining order against Jimmie Gardner.

Once again the people of Prichard has spoken and new leadership should take place.

A crucial election that matters for the City of Prichard

As the 2012 runoff election nears it’s an election that will decide who will lead Prichard for the next four years. There are two different views from two candidates that seek to lead the struggling city. On October 23^rd the citizens of Prichard will chose between Councilman Troy Ephraim or the incumbent Mayor Ron Davis.

The City of Prichard is at its crossroads…indeed, and it’s a hard stake on change for the City or the status quo that continues to hold Prichard in its current position of failure.

There is a choice to be made, a choice for the same ole politics or leadership that will provide the citizens and businesses of Prichard with an equal and fair opportunity with a descent quality of life and not the same ole watered down politics.

Over the last decade we have watch a once thriving city become one of the nation poorest cities. In a few weeks the citizens and voters in Prichard will have a chance to cast a vote that matters, a vote that will change the direction for which Prichard will take. The question is will it be a choice of the Status Quo or will it be change that Prichard so desperately need.

***Sideline Spectators***

As the election nears, many or sitting on the sidelines watching and claiming to be neutral, instead of fighting for what’s right and what the citizens deserve…which they deserve better. Do they have the seniors, children, education, working families, government, retirees and businesses at heart? It seems as though they don’t...because if the silent spectators did they want be sitting on the sidelines watching and instead be embracing change for the betterment of Prichard.

Over the past four years many has cried out for change, rallied for change and even went on to hold their marches…but now that the 2012 election is upon us, they are all choked up.

Choked up for what? It seems to be fear of politics that associate itself with favoritism and the behind closed doors handshakes. I think it’s time to call it what it is.

Question, how many of your pastor’s, educators, businesses leaders, elected officials or community leaders have come out and voices their support for change in this crucial election in the City of Prichard. That answer is easy to answer and don’t need any thoughts…a very few.

***Just A Quick Note You Should Know***

Pastors that lead the citizens of Prichard on a weekly basis and collect their tithes and offering when they (the) citizens at the same time fighting poverty, These pastors is being silent on what matters the most in their city.

Community leaders that rallied and voiced their opinions for change have now become silent, what happen to hope?

Politicians that seek your vote are silent, why because they also fear the back lashes if they voice their support for one or the other. These are the ones that say they have your interest at heart and they are concerned…Really?

If so why aren’t they speaking up for you now in a crucial election that decides where Prichard is headed in the future? That’s not leadership. I think it’s safe to say Prichard is democratic and elects democrats in other elections outside of the municipal election.

***Prichard the time is now***

As Prichard face its darkest days, all voices need to unite together for the better cause of the city and its citizens. So Prichard can once again be that thriving city again. Not only do the voices need to cry out, but the voices need to translate into votes. It’s time to fight for what we believe and that hope that our fore fathers once had.

Question again, how can we go out and campaign for change and hope, better yet move forward…no doubt which is good, but on the other hand watch our local community in which we live degrade its self?

My view is simple…if you are going to sit on the sideline and watch your local city degrade, then you should go ahead and throw away your voting card.

If you look at the image of Prichard and have the city at heart and not the special interest or politics, then you will step up and step out and be that man or woman you claim to be.

Our leaders should want the best for Prichard after all that it has been through and not the status quo. 

Let us say in unity, no more decline, no more poverty, no more crime, no more mis-management, no more politics as usual…but a new Prichard for all people.  

Don’t let the people of Prichard continue to suffer, speak up and speak out now and vote for change, for the betterment of the City and its families.