Alderman need to focus on issues

Bruce Laird

Published Friday, January 30, 2009

Here we go again.

Natchez Aldermen Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis and Ricky Gray pull the old card.

For once in their political life, can they forget that they are black?

Who cares what color they are? Just do your job. Help Natchez.

It’s always been black or white in Natchez politics. That’s why we never over achieve; instead more often we under achieve.

I don’t blame Bob Pollard for walking out. If he’s like me, it’s better to leave than to say or do something he would regret later.

Why can’t Mrs. Mathis and Mr. Gray look at it this way — Natchez sent two aldermen to Jackson, and now we are sending two aldermen to Washington. They aren’t black or white. They are just two good people going to do Natchez some good, both in Jackson and Washington.

America just elected a man. “You look at yourself as a black man. I look at myself as just a man.”

Move on Mr. Gray and Mrs. Mathis —most of America has.

Be proud of your family history, but know that it has nothing to do with today’s politics.

Bruce Laird

Natchez resident