“He whom the gods would destroy will first make mad.” (Beware)

Since July 2, I have read newspaper articles that are, to me, alarming. My granddaughters have helped me go on Facebook to view articles regarding persons I hold in high esteem. Those individuals are my friends — namely, Darryl Grennell, mayor of our city, and Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis, alderwoman for Ward 1 in Natchez.

I have know Alderwoman Mathis since the early 1980s. She was, then, an exceptional music educator in our school system. In addition, she was concerned with political involvement in our city and state. Needless to say, I admired her ability to get things done. I still do.

I have known Mayor Grennell since he was a teenager. He showed leadership acumen at an early age. His intelligence and drive landed him at city hall on July 1, 2016 with the “top job.”

What I find alarming is that two brilliant leaders appear to have different views on who best to serve as city attorney. The appointment of a city attorney is vital to the city’s legal security. Our mayor should be comfortable with the choice, but the aldermen should also be comfortable with the choice. All are answerable to the voters.

For the first time in the history of our city — we have true representation, the “one man, one vote” concept. This spring, we elected the people we believe will represent our wards and city fairly. For too long the north side of town gets the “droppings” when it comes to projects that benefit the northern portion of the city. Hopefully all of our elected officials will not forget the people who put them into office.

Now is the time to make a difference. Now is not the time to become divided. Now is the time to remember that some who do not control things — will seek to divide us from ourselves. When we wash our “dirty linen” for all to see — it diminishes our strength.

Remember — “He whom the gods would destroy will first make mad.”

 

Mary Lee Toles is a former Adams County Justice Court Judge and a Natchez resident. Toles most recently served at the interim alderman for Ward 2.