Immigration

Well if you read the Clarion Ledger or watch WLBT, you may have seen that I have been in the news. This week was the Mississippi Muncipal League, Mid Winter Conference. Being on the Executive Committe I was there.

We held a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday. The main thing we talked about was asking that the state not pass any unfunded mandates onto the cities, towns and counties. In case you don't know what an unfunded mandate is, that is where the federal or state government passes a law or puts into place new regulations we must abide by or be severely fined if we don't follow them. However, they do not provide the funds to implement the law or regulations they demand for us to follow.

When we concluded the press conference the first question we were asked was do we support the Immigration bill that had been passed by the Senate. After our President (Charley Dumas, Mayor of Prentiss) answered the question they then interviewed other Mayors and Aldermen who were in attendance, with me being one of them.

So with all that said, let me clarify my position. First, let me say that I am not against Legal Immigration. I am against Illegal Immigration. Second, why are we at the state level telling those at the local level that we must be the enforcers of Illegal Immigration laws, especially when this is a federal problem to begin with. Third, this bill that passed the Senate put about 90 to 95 percent of the cost of enforcing the bill on the local cities and counties. Yes that is an unfunded mandate. Fourth, there is a provision in the bill that if a citizen thought that we at the local level were not doing enough to enforce the bill that we could be sued both in our capacity as an elected offical and personally. Basically the state was saying that John Q.Citizen could sue us at will for not doing what the federal government should be doing.

So again I say we need to get a grip on our borders. We have a legal way for people to enter our country and I respect that and applaud it. However, when we do discover an Illeglal person in our country they should be sent back to their country immediately.

Now let me ask you this. Do you really believe that Illegal Immigration is the biggest problem facing Mississippi? I don't. What about education, clean water, better roads, making Mississippi more job friendly? I think we would be better off putting a little more effort into this and encourage the federal government to take care of a problem that is theirs to begin with.

And always remember "Monticello it just feels like Home."

MLK Day

I hope everyone enjoyed their day off yesterday. It is fitting that we honor Martin Luther King Jr. He helped this country through a very trying time. An era we call the Civil Rights Movement.

My daughter had to have some medical test done yesterday and that reminded me that not everyone got to enjoy the day off. So first off to all of you who had to work, thank you for the jobs you do. From medical, police, fire and the workers in stores and resturants your sacrifice has not gone unnotticed. Now on to Martin Luther King Jr and the reason we celebrate.

I do believe that things are better today than they were years ago. However I also believe that we have a long way to go. But I believe that the biggest thing is how far Mississippi has come. We for all the wrong reasons are still pictured as a backward and racially biased state. And I take offense at that. We have more black elected officials than any other state in the union. We have had many black leaders in the arts and sciences and we continue to improve in many other areas of race relations. So the next time you hear someone on the streets or in the media putting down on Mississippi don't feel ashamed go ahead and be rightfully proud of your state.  Now I am not saying that we are perfect because we are not, we still have improving to do.

Now here is the but. But other states who continue to look down on us are further behind. Look to Massachusetts where they have had bus rioting and racially motivated fights at athletic events. Look to California and Rodney King. There are plenty of other examples as well. Now please don't think I am picking on these states because I am not. What I am trying to get you to see is that we all have room for improvement. weather you are black or white, we can all do more.

My God does not see color. My God sees people created in his image and he loves us all. And my God calls us to love one another. I think we do that here in Monticello, and I think we are still trying to improve.

Remember, "Monticello it just feels like Home."

First Priority

I was invited to deliver a devotional today at First Priority at Lawrence County High School. What a awesome honor to speak to these fine young men and women of Lawrence County.

First Priority is a christian organization at LCHS. The students choose to give up one of their breaks to hear and share the word of God. That's right They Choose to give up their break. It only lasts about 15 to 20 minutes but these were very respectful young men and women that want to hear the word of God.

I don't know if my message meant anything to them or not, but I will tell you this I received a blessing from them all the same. I am so proud of these young people. Folks we have some pretty good young men and women at our High School and some local youth pastors that we need to make sure we support.

This weekend all the Baptist churches in the county are sponsoring D-Now. You don't have to be Baptist to come. If you want to draw closer to god this is for you young people. Call any church and I am sure we can find room for you.

Our young people are definitely why 

"Monticello it just feels like Home.""

Cold Weather

The weather is supposed to get colder. I hope you have wrapped your pipes and winterized your vehicles. If you have not now is the time to do so. Also don't forget to take care of yourselves. Drink plenty of fluids, layer your clothing and limit the amount of time you have to be outdoors.

Also don't forget to check on the elderly and to take care of your outside pets. Put a blanket or old towels in there houses. Or even better if you can, bring them in.

The great thing about the weather in Mississippi is that it's always changing. So you know this won't last to long. So until then stay warm and

Remember "Monticello it just feels like Home."

Switching Parties

So Senator Cindy Hyde Smith has switched to the republican party. Do you think this is a real shock or big move? I don't. Senator Smith has for the most part been a conservative. She has represented the majority of her district well. This has been evidenced by her re-elections, and the evidence is also there to prove she has pretty much always been a conservative. You don't get appointed to be a committee chairman and one as prominent as the Agriculture Committee if you have not voted with the party in power most of the time. And during her tenure the Lt. Governor has been mostly Republican.

I personally wish we had a third party called the Moderates. You see I do believe in some of the Democratic agenda just not all of it. I agree with most of the Republican agenda, just not all of it. I guess the biggest thing I have against the Democrats is their desire to shove down our throats Abortion on demand and Gay Rights. Now you may say at the local level this does not matter. However when you pay your dues to run as a Republican or Democrat your money goes to support those issues and causes. That is why I wish we had a Moderate party. I do believe in some Welfare programs, the ones where people really do need it, I do believe in Early Education like Head Start, but I also believe that somethings like museums and art galleries should be supported by the General Public and  not by Government. But as long as we only have two really influential parties, I to am also a Republican and have been for many years. So I say to you Senator Cindy Hyde Smith, Welcome.

And always remember "Monticello it just feels like Home.""