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What is this?
Alderman's decision based on safety
Published Sunday, March 29, 2009
Natchez Alderman James “Ricky” Gray says skin color didn’t have anything to do with his recent opposition to the city’s annexation plans.
“This is not about race,” he said Friday. “This is about not hurting people.”
The “people” in question aren’t real at this point. The people may, eventually, occupy the now unoccupied land off Old Country Club Road in north Natchez.
The site is one of two sites the City of Natchez plans to annex. The other site is off U.S. 61 South. The southern site is also unoccupied, but the owners have plans to develop it.
The Old Country Club Road site has no current development plans.
But it’s the possibility of a future development there that has Gray concerned. And, he’d have good reason to worry because the land would likely become a portion of his ward if and when the annexation is completed.
Only recently, Gray said, did he learn the land included a former dumpsite used by the now defunct Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company.
“All the details were not laid on the table,” he said. “I didn’t realize at the time that this was a dumpsite, and I’ve got to be able to sleep at night.”
Gray said he’s worried that the dump could be contaminated and pose a health risk.
“I’ve got a call in to the DEQ,” Gray said, referring to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
Gray said he simply wants the site tested.
“If we do a study and find that the site is safe, I don’t have any problem with (annexing the site),” he said.
Gray’s point about the environmental concern is well taken.
“I’m doing this for the health and safety for the people that might have to live out there,” Gray said. “I don’t want it on my conscience.
“Our first responsibility is for the safety and welfare of the people of our community.”
Gray said Friday that during a recent annexation hearing, he said he simply “concurred” with Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis’ suggestion that annexing the site on U.S. 61 South would violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as it would “dilute” the minority voting population.
But Gray said his overriding concern is only one of safety.
Gray’s move last week to rescind the alderman’s earlier vote failed with a vote of 4-2, with Gray and Arceneaux-Mathis the lone supporters.
Unless a recent study exists showing that there’s no environmental danger, the city should pursue the matter with the MDEQ to clear the air.
But at the same time the annexation plans should continue. Even if the site is contaminated, that’s not a reason to kill the entire annexation project.
The arguments over dilution of the voting population are thin at best, since both pieces of property are unoccupied.
Until the Voting Rights Act’s restrictions forcing elections changes in Southern states to be approved by the U.S. Justice Department are lifted, such arguments will continue to pop up — even when unmerited.
At the national level the U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case next month that may modify the manner in which the Voting Rights Act will be interpreted and applied in the future.
In the meantime, local leaders and judges must use common sense and logic as we come upon issues facing our community and we must do so without regard to skin color.
Kevin Cooper is publisher of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3539 or kevin.cooper@natchezdemocrat.com
Comments
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on March 29, 2009 at 12:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Put his "foot " in his mouth?
Posted by coldad (anonymous) on March 29, 2009 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mathis is Clown #1 and Gray is Clown Jr. Neither have any credibility and are puppets of the former mayor, Clown Sr, who was ousted by Natchez voters. Mathis has other other motives to continue her undying support for Clown Sr. Too bad for this community that these two incompetents occupy positions that allow them to slow roll or stop progress for Natchez.
Posted by jlmorris (anonymous) on March 29, 2009 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There must be a "Incompetence Award" for aldermen. It certainly seems that Gray and Pollard are doing their best to win the award.
Mathis and Dillard would be in the running if they were up to the incompetence level. Maybe next year for them.
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on March 29, 2009 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Me thinks Grey and Mathis should change occupations and work for the NAACP.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on March 29, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
From his own mouth, in his own words, professed to be Mathis' puppet.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on March 29, 2009 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Horse puckey.
Posted by kenpeoples2 (anonymous) on March 30, 2009 at 1:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think people who attack a person's character by calling them clowns and fools lack good judgement. To say a person does foolish things is one thing but to call a person a fool because of their opinion is ridiculus. This is America and African Americans are not slaves and have a right to speak out. However; some southernbelles seem to think this is inappropriate so they consider these people clowns and fools. We all know that the majority of the people living in the area surrounding the old Armstrong Tire & Rubber Co. are African American and I do think if it was mostly Caucasians living there, everyone that's lashing out would feel differently. I think the issue is if it would be safe to build homes in the area and anything else is irrelavant.
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on March 30, 2009 at 7:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
But kenpeoples2....when someone opens their mouth and inserts foot, many times over, the general concensus is that only fools ("buffoon" works well, too) keep gnawing on said foot. Over and over and over.......
Everyone should have a voice but when it drowns out reason, it becomes ignored after awhile and sifted through the brain as "outside noise". Both Gray and Mathis' collective voice is not unlike a grinder...pervasive and overriding for awhile....then one just ignores it after chalking it up to ignorance.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on March 30, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Excellent kpage. xxxxxxcilent(Monty Burns)haha
Posted by bootsonglovesoff (anonymous) on March 30, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmmm… Where should I start? The very comments that each of you post on any issue posted on this site clearly shows that this is a divided community. It shames me to say that I’m a product of this community. A lot of you need to look at life outside of Natchez, to see that you are clearly being left behind. What major company or business operating on a national or international level would want to subject its employees and their families to such an environment? Here’s a secret major companies have a lot of individuals that look different from you and me. Get it right or continue to waddle in the filthy bed that you made… And stop being cowards… Learn to continue to fake it, to you make it… cause right now there are now major players that are generating the type of revenue that all of you seek…. Get your foot or fingers out your mouth…. “Go Ricky Gray!!!” or future Natchez Mayor James “Ricky” Gray
Posted by Latech74 (anonymous) on March 30, 2009 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is it just me or do most of Kevin Cooper's articles always tend to stir up some type of "racial issue?" What is the deal? Everyone has the right to express his or her own opinon; but please go ahead and at least be honest with youerself and everyone in Natchez...Are you a racist deep down? Be sincere and answer honestly. It appears that most of the fine, "honest" citizens that respond to your columns most definitely are (probably just undercover racist.) Anyway, I truly feel as if you are always trying to instigate some type of racial conflict in your articles. If I am wrong, I apologize. But I usually can pick up on these things, especially after living in Natchez for over 17 years and then moving outside of the Miss-Lou Area to experience life in other communities.
Posted by stateofnatchez (anonymous) on March 30, 2009 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
These are some of the most stupid posts I have ever read.
Mr. Gray, the smoke and mirrors tactic is best utilized as a diversion and not an attempt to make matters more confused.
I have to admit this could have gone another direction, but the momentum that Gray and Mathis have gained with this fodder will be their undoing.
Those districts WILL change for the better eventually.
And I really don't understand what all the fuss could be about because CHANGE was what everybody wanted right?
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on March 31, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
bootson...do you suggest we listen to this "grinding" noise that has no reason just so we won't be hurting anyone's feelings? Just let Gray and Mathis do what they want and keep mouths shut? It ain't gonna happen buddy. When citizens see corruption or feel the hot air...they're gonna blow the whistle. Color is not the issue...ignorance is.
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