Think Hattiesburg » Who will be the next mayor of Hattiesburg?

Who will be the next mayor of Hattiesburg?

February 22, 2005 on 12:17 am | In Information, News |

Well, the Hattiesburg mayor’s race is off and running. There are many candidates pining for the position that Johnny Dupree is now filling. Republican candidates includes State Rep. Lee Jarrell Davis, Walt Coker, Betsy Rowell, and David Senne. The list of Democrats who’ve qualified includes incumbent Mayor Johnny Dupree and Catherine Starr.

If there have been press releases about what these candidates are going to do for Hattiesburg, I have missed them. I’ll save my thoughts about Johnny Dupree’s term and let the voters decide if he did a good job or not. Although, unless these candidates get out and start campaigning, I doubt he will even have a chance of not being re-elected.

The Hattiesburg Republican primary is on May 3rd, where the field will be narrowed to who the Republicans think will be the best person for the job. Whether the voters will agree, is yet to be determined.

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http://hiredaveformayor.com/

I’m pulling for David Senne, but I agree with you. If they don’t start campaigning Dupree is a shoe-in.

Comment by ccs178 — February 23, 2005 #
I saw his commercial earlier, the first I’ve seen. He promised to fix the roads in Hattiesburg. I’ll agree this is a big problem, but I was hoping for a little more about what he’s going to do from the commercial.

Comment by aaron — February 24, 2005 #
I just posted about this in the forums, but his site shows a lot about what he’s about, even his credit score. Smart city spending though, that’s what I want to hear.

Comment by F150 — February 24, 2005 #
I have seen a lot of activity from Republican candidates. Perhaps the editor of this site doesn’t watch the news that much. Lee Jarrell Davis has already opened a headquarters and already has hundreds of yard signs around town. I think Dave Senne seems like a good man, but his commercials are horrible and the fact that he is self-financing his campaign gives me the impression that he thinks he can buy this election. So far, Davis has my vote because he seems to have the most experience.

Comment by Don Green — March 2, 2005 #
So, self-financing your election is a bad thing? I fail to see anything sensible in that, for lack of a better word, logic.

I have the utmost respect for David Senne. I do not know him personally but I am familiar with his accomplishments and have many close friends and family members that do know him personally. I have never heard them say an ill word about him.

Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for Davis. I also don’t know him personally, but I was involved with the Young Republicans when he ran for Mayor before. I was not surprised that he didn’t win the primary after the conversations I had with many party members who knew him and had worked with him.

Just my take on the two candidates.

Comment by ccs178 — March 2, 2005 #
Ladies and Gentleman…..David Senne’s campaign manager I’ve seen poll numbers conducted by the state party and Senne hasn’t broken 5% even though he’s been advertising since October. I’ve heard that the few people that know him respect him but have reservations about his wife. They say she does most of his talking for him and is a little off her rocker. If she isn’t careful she will be his biggest liability. And yes, self-financing a campaign is overwhelmingly viewed as trying to buy an election. I’m not saying Davis is the greatest GOP candidate since Reagan, I’m just saying that he has the most experience and from the polling I’ve seen, he’s the frontrunner in the primary by some 30 points ahead of the next candidate. He is also the only GOP candidate that, according to the poll, could beat Dupree. I would rather send up Dupree’s toughest competition than someone with a bad city council record or someone who is trying to buy the election. I leave in the good graces of the Lord.

Comment by Don Green — March 3, 2005 #
Setting up a headquarters and sticking signs in people’s yard does not constitute informing people about your campaign. I agree, David Senne’s commercials seem a little detached from what the cities main problems are, but I still have not seen anyone else saying anything. Will there be a debate or equivalent that lets me know where these people stand?

Comment by F150 — March 4, 2005 #
I may have to keep up with the news a little better, but we get news reports on this site everyday and I haven’t seen anything about it. I’ll set up a blog for anyone who wants to voice their opinion though so that everyone can read it.

Comment by aaron — March 4, 2005 #
Well,Donny. You make snide remarks at me, then disparaging remarks about David Senne’s wife and then claim to “leave in the good graces of the Lord.” Typical. I’ll bet I can guess what denomination you are. Probably even which church. Insult, slander and defer to God. Yes, good ol’Mississippi politics. There are few things I won’t miss about Mississippi and that is one of them. Vote for the guy who will win, not the one who will do the best job. Praise the Lord. One thing I do know about the election, you’ll elect who you deserve. As you always do.

Comment by ccs178 — March 7, 2005 #
I will be supporting Betsy Rowell. Since she is a member of the City Council, she is aware of the many problems which are going on and ones in which the citizens of Hattiesburg rarely hear about but NEED to know. For instance, since Dupree has taken office, approximately 65 of the 120+ Hattiesburg Police Officers have left the department. Something is wrong with that picture. Rowell will do everything she can to change the moral throughout the City. She will be a Mayor who will abide by the rules and above all employ people who are qualified.

Comment by Rowell Supporter — March 10, 2005 #
I agree with “Rowell Supporter” about the mass exodus of police since Dupree took office. I hope that point is made very public during the campaign. I have researched Mrs. Rowell and she seems like a good person. The only problem I have with her is that her donors are the EXACT SAME people who funded ed morgan all those years. We need Dupree gone but i’m not sure we need to revert back to the ed morgan years, that would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Also, she doesn’t have enough city-wide support to beat the Dupree machine. Remember, just because someone gets the GOP nomination doesn’t automatically make them mayor - we still have to get past Dupree and his questionable campign tactics. Several good candidates on the GOP side in my opinion, I’m actually pleased to see that we have such a deep bench.

Comment by Don Green — March 10, 2005 #
does Betsy Rowell, or any of the other candidates have a website?

Comment by aaron — March 11, 2005 #
I’m not sure if Rowell has a website, but her campaign headquarters is located at 1513 Hardy Street in Hattiesburg next to Simmons Furniture. They are open 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. weekdays. Those hours will expand in a few weeks.

Comment by Rowell Supporter — March 11, 2005 #
thanks for that information

Comment by aaron — March 11, 2005 #
Actually I have passed by Betsy Rowell’s headquarters several times and there is NEVER anyone there. There is furniture inside but the lights are always off. I heard she is having trouble recruiting volunteers. Her website is http://www.rowellformayor.com but there is no info on it. Lee Jarrell Davis has a very extensive website at http://www.leejarrelldavis.com. Dave Senne also has a pretty informative website at http://www.hiredaveformayor.com. I don’t know about any other candiate websites.

Comment by Luther Wilcox — March 17, 2005 #
thanks for that informative comment. I’ve linked all those sites and I’ll add them to my log of information about the mayor’s race.

Comment by aaron — March 17, 2005 #
Betsy Rowell’s website is probably the worst use of the internet that I have seen. A website has a lot of possibilities, and using it as a billboard is a waste of a person’s time.

On the other hand, Lee Jarrell Davis has an example of what I would use a website for. To further explain what your about, and what you stand for. I would even use it to address issues that pop up everyday and how you would handle them.

Comment by subnet_rx — March 17, 2005 #
Betsy Rowell has had experience in
city management having served as a member of the city council for a number of years. She is a very intelligent, thoughtful person who has the ability to solve issues facing this city. One of the most important is the state of our police department, which at present is not good. Do we need a mayor, who as a legislator, would vote to dismiss without solving the Medicaid problems? Was Lee G. Davis is such as hurry to get home that he forgot the thousands of Mississippians who were depending on him? What kind of leadership is that!

Comment by Rowell Supporter — March 18, 2005 #
Thanks for giving the Rowell Headquarters’ hours. I will be there at 11 o’clock sharp on Monday to volunteer with her campaign. She is a winner. If Hattiesburg folks do not choose her as mayor they will be disappointed.

Comment by A New Rowell Volunteer — March 18, 2005 #
i could not see how anyone could vote for johnny dupree ..a vote for dupree is a vote for rev. fairley..and he is the guy pulling the strings behind the mayor …that has to stop…plus under him 95% of the police officers have been there less then five years ..he has distroyed our police force..and the chief is an imbarrasment

Comment by sid davis — March 19, 2005 #
please give us an update on the Rowell campaign and how it’s going if you do volunteer today.

Comment by aaron — March 21, 2005 #
Wow! That place is buzzing: 7 or so volunteers there throughout the day, phones ringing, folks coming in to volunteer. Lots of events scheduled.

Comment by A New Rowell Volunteer — March 21, 2005 #
What events are scheduled? Will she tackle any issues at these events?

Comment by F150 — March 21, 2005 #
Interesting site…Senne, I saw a letter to the editor of the negative newspaper we have in H’burg from his wife…apparently he had a couple of heart attacks and she had to call 911. The mayors job has to be very stressful, why is he running? He resigned from the Pine Belt Airport to take a job in Washington State, did not stay there long…what happened. Did he resign or was he fired? What type job did he do there?

On another issue…is there anyway to get attendance records for the city council members that are running for re-election?

Comment by Charles — March 21, 2005 #
Ok, first of all I think it is hilarious that Rowell Supporters are posting on this forum telling us that her campaign office is buzzing with activity. I passed by the office on Monday at 11am to see if volunteers would actually show up and not to my surprise, the place was EMPTY with the lights off again!!! I passed by again at 1pm and it was the same ghosttown it always is! haha! Second, I would like to ask the Rowell supporter that criticized Lee Jarrell Davis’ vote to adjourn and try to save the taxpayers some money why they support spending 82,000 dollars on a special session for an issue that could have easily been solved the following Monday? Can we assume that Betsy Rowell would have voted to waste our money so she could make some extra for herself? I applaud Rep. Davis’ attempt to save our precious tax dollars and I also applaud the fact that he has stated publicly that he will be writing a check back to the state for the extra pay he receives for the special session. I want a mayor that will save money, not waste it like Dupree or Rowell. This shows how little Rowell and her supporters know about operating a government. Finally, this Rowell supporter also talks about Rowell’s intelligence. I find it ironic that she is the only candidate in the GOP primary that does not have a college degree. I’m not saying there aren’t smart people that didn’t finish college, but having a degree proves that you can finish what you started. This is one of the many reasons why Rowell will lose. As far as Senne, he seems like a good man but he keeps bragging about self-financing his campaign. Everyone I talk to says they feel he is bragging about being rich and is trying to buy this election. Time to change your strategy Mr. Senne!

Comment by Luther Wilcox — March 22, 2005 #
We had a candidate forum at Hattiesburg High last night and the only Mayoral candidates that showed up were Walt Coker and Lee Davis. They both gave pretty good speeches. Johnny Dupree sent a letter explaining he was absent due to a family emergency but the rest of the candidates were no-shows. Just thought y’all might like to know who really supports Hattiesburg High!

Comment by HHS Tiger — March 22, 2005 #
thanks for that report HHS Tiger, and thanks goes to Mr. Wilcox for letting us know about Betsy Rowell. I would like to know what events were being done by Betsy Rowell’s campaign. I’m not attacking her, I’ll be glad to report about events that she’s going to be at.

Comment by aaron — March 22, 2005 #
Any thoughts on the Johnny Dupree Kamper Park commercial? Political ploy using taxpayer money?

Comment by F150 — March 22, 2005 #
Good Point F150! I did some research and found out that Comcast produced the spot for free and is running it for free as a PSA. This is absurd considering that Dupree has been at serious odds with the “Friends of the Zoo” group who raises private funds for the zoo. They wanted their fundraising efforts as well as the new admission fees to be earmarked for the zoo specifically. Dupree put the money straight into the city’s general fund to spend as he sees fit. Now he has the audacity to use the backdrop of the zoo for a free political commerical. I think all candidates on both sides should demand equal time from Comcast as this is obviously free political advertising.

Comment by Luther Wilcox — March 23, 2005 #
Very interesting. I can’t believe this is going on behind the scenes and that the uninformed voter, which is probably a majority, will not know about this when voting.

Comment by aaron — March 23, 2005 #
Anyone except Johnny DuPree.

Comment by visitor21 — March 23, 2005 #
Johnny Dupree has done a great job as mayor for Hattiesburg. He has led us through a difficult time and our city has continued to progress and grow.

The train depot is on its way, much new construction in my neighborhood downtown. A new community center is under way on the East side. The list goes on and on. The man has a wonderful presence and represents our city in a way we can be proud of.

He answers calls and emails which is more than Betsy ever does as a council person. Most important he leads the city with a professional and honest presence. He does not lose his temper which is a Rowell characteristic to the max. As for Reverend Fairley, no one pulls the mayors strings he is an asserted man.

I can not imagine electing a mayor like Betsy that does not have a college degree. As for Lea Jerrel all we need do is look at the mess in Jackson to think he is a bad idea.

For me while it would hae been great to see more done, the accomplishments completed during this administration are nothing short of astonishing. Carter Caroll read a long list of accomplishments during his time at city Hall this week at the HHS event. It was as if he was giving a endorsement to the mayor as it all happened on his watch. Of course there are many to thank in the past who got it started. Truth is this administration took over a mess and got the job done.

Comment by Richlain Robinson — March 23, 2005 #
I think everyone agrees with Mr. Robinson regarding Betsy Rowell’s candidacy. On the radio this morning all she did was copycat the answers previously given by Rep. Davis and Johnny Dupree. You have to have an original thought if you want to be the Mayor! I can tell you that knowing Carter Carroll personally, he is definitely not endorsing Dupree so its not a good idea to promote misinformation like that. Carroll will support the Republican nominee whomever that may be. I also agree that Dupree did take over a mess, but the problem is that he has turned city hall into a bigger mess. The police dept. is in crisis, the Dupree administration is blatantly anti-USM amd anti-business, and EVERYONE knows that Fairely reallly runs the show so the claim to the contrary is nothing short of laughable. I think deep down Dupree is a moral man, he is just either to incompetent to run the city, or he has surrounded himself with incompetent people. Either way, he is GONE on June 7th!

Comment by Luther Wilcox — March 24, 2005 #
What is the Bobby Chain connection to Betsy Rowell?

Comment by joe blow — March 24, 2005 #
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, unless the Republicans make a better showing, he won’t be gone.

I hate that I missed that radio interview this morning.

Comment by aaron — March 24, 2005 #
Couldn’t have said it better Mr. Wilcox

Comment by vistor21 — March 24, 2005 #
Mr. Blow-
Bobby Chain is rumored to be the bankroll behind the Rowell camp. I don’t know that to be fact, but I do know that there are a few businessmen whose companies survive off of city contracts and are financing her campaign. A friend showed me an invitation to a Rowell fundraiser and the names on it matched the names off of Johnny Dupree and Ed Morgan’s finance reports. Amazing what you can find out on the internet!

Comment by MSpoliticsjunkie — March 24, 2005 #
Mr Wilcox I did not intend that you thought I said that Carter Caroll was endorsing Johnny Dupree. I apologize for any misunderstanding.

What I meant to say was that Carter listed a long and impressive group of accomplishments as why he should be on the council again. All of those accomplishments took place during the Dupree administration.

From where I see the election if Carter Carrol is to tout the train station and the many other great things happening in our city; surely he must be giving our mayor the credit as well. The endorsement I spoke of was a endorsement by Carter of the accomplishements during Mayor Dupree’s ter,.

For me that is as good as it gets when you tout what has been accomplished. Carter Carroll did that quite well at HHS and I for one am impressed at all that has been done these four years. I appreciate Carter’s part and the Mayor’s as well.

Comment by Richlain Robinson — March 24, 2005 #
What’s with this conspiracy theory that Rev. Fairley pulls Dupree’s strings? What are you all saying has happened exactly?

Comment by joe blow — March 24, 2005 #
My current grievance (among many) with Johnny DuPree: I am profoundly disappointed and offended that he picked today (Thursday 24 March 2005) to conduct his annual “State of the City” address…While I approve of the spirit behind this DuPree-initiated tradition, his timing this year is seriously troubling because for us “high church” (i.e. Catholic, Episcopalian, et al) Christians, today is “Holy Thursday” (a key part of “Holy Week” [Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday])–a day of “Holy Obligation”–whereby we are required to attend evening Church services or be guilty of “mortal [serious] sin”…This is insensitive on the Mayor’s part at best and insulting/offensive at worst…Although I believe him to be a generally well-intended genuine Christian, there’s no excuse for him and/or his staff to cause such an unnecessary conflict for the substantial numbers of Hattiesburg citizens who are active members of these respective Christian Churches…Simply check your [Church] Calender: Next week (or last week) should have been selected for this important City review…

This is NOT a “minor” mis-step to me, but possibly a very telling one!

Mr.(or Madame) [future] Mayors: Please do not make this same serious mistake again!

Comment by HubCityMan1912 — March 24, 2005 #
We Have 2 Republican Wards left in Hattiesburg Ward 1 & Ward 3. I promise you Ward One will be Democrat by the next election. The Country Club is keeping it republican now. Hattiesburg is gone if we dont have a new mayor. If Dupree wins and the council can stay 3-2 we might make it. Im scared to death what is going to happen to our city.

Comment by savehattiesburg — March 24, 2005 #
I�m still puzzled about the zoo money. I thought the admissions money was supposed to be put back into the zoo for repairs and upkeep. That is what the Dupree people sold to us to get everybody to cough up a few bucks to get in the zoo. I understand there has not been one single red cent of admission money returned to the zoo. To me, a promise is a promise.

Mayor Dupree and Director Terrell hoodwinked us!

Comment by concerned citizen — March 25, 2005 #
This administration does not care for this city. The only care here is getting Mt. Carmel congregation a job. Thats a fact folks. We need a new administration for the city soon.

Comment by visitor21 — March 25, 2005 #
I’m wondering when I’m going to see some of these great political analysts in the Hattiesburg American? I’d love for Dupree to pick up the paper one morning and read this stuff. And promptly use some Kamper Park money to respond.

I’ll sign a petition to get Luther a political column

Comment by F150 — March 25, 2005 #
I have read the comments about the mayoral Race. each one of the candidates believes he or she could do a better job than the other one..
But what all this boils down to is that we need someone in office that is not gonna be afraid to get the job done and look out for the employees that actually run the city.Not the ones sitting behind a desk taking credit for it.

The concerns that I have is that half the police officers have left. what is that saying for our city. and as for the city streets that need repairs.well lets not fix them correctly lets put flowers in the middle of the street instead.

As for the Hattiesburg depo yes it needed a face lift but for what it is costing a new one could have been built for less and the rest of the money could have been used better other places.

I would like to know what the canidates is gonna do for the city and the people that live here. and do the mud slinging thing that is rather patetic.

thank you.

Comment by MsAttitude — March 25, 2005 #
There are several questionable acts that have been committed by Rowell. One very serious criminal act. The media will be reporting it soon.

Comment by AskBetsy — March 27, 2005 #
After almost 4 yrs its time for a change. The last post talks of questionable acts by mayoral candidates. If I remember correctly, didnt one of the mayors children get busted for shoplifting? Didnt the police chiefs son get busted on some sort of drug charge? Whatever happened to that? Swept under the rug and hushed up more than likely. That sounds pretty questionable to me. I assure you if it were you or I, our charges and evidence against us wouldnt have mysteriously disappeared. We should really check into our candidates backgrounds. Some of our current officials have had a bad time balancing their own checkbooks and bouncing checks….I dont think they should be balancing the citys’. Its even been rumored that one council member even had their car repoed while at a council meeting. The current administration has done nothing but handed out upper echelon jobs to the congregation of Mt Carmel church i.e.: CAO Beverly Commodore, Parks and Rec Dir. Clemon Terrell, Police Chief David Wynn,(Title Unknown) Mark Jordan, as well as people in lower ranking jobs throughout the city. As long as Rev. Fairley is the mayors puppet master, nothing will change. Rev. Fairley was instrumental in the failure of the USM bond issue. A bond issue that would have benefitted everyone in the city. But thats the problem, because it helped everyone and not just his side of town, it was deemed unfair and harmful. Have you ever noticed how the mayor wants everyone in the city to be on equal footing, but does everything to prevent it? How come whenever there is a city sponsored event thats supposed to be for everyone, its never in a central location such as Kamper Park. When was the last time there was a community center, playground or walking trail built on the westside of Hwy 49? Currently a walking trail is being built around the James St. lake…just how many people will make use of that? Not enough to justisfy the cost Im sure. And the new community center planned for the Tipton St. area. What about the train station…what a fiasco that is. While Im glad to see it once again looking nice, there is no need in expanding it or extending the canopy all the way out to the street. They dont use all of what they have now. And the fact the city is building a new office complex for Norfolk Southern with taxpayers money is also disturbing. Im sure city officials will say this is part of the rail crossing closing deal. There is talk of even expanding the Longleaf trace through the eastside of town all the way to the train station. This would also be millions of dollars wasted. Im quite happy stopping at USM, at least there I feel safe. I cannot see how spending that kind of money can be justified. City Hall has consistantly neglected city employees. Always saying “well we can only give employees a 3 or 4% raise”. This is only about 35 cents to the average employee. It doesnt seem like the higher ups have any trouble getting nice raises. But while claiming theres not enough money, the city can buy division directors a new loaded out vehicle almost every year. Example being, Clemon Terrell having a double cab Ford pickup with a fiberglass bedcover. Was this really practical. Unneeded and expensive if you ask me. There are very few people in the city that need a full size gas guzzling truck. Im pretty sure everyone else could make due with a smaller truck like a Dakota or a Colorado. City Hall is constantly dictating to its General Managers and Division Managers as to who to hire, whether they are qualified for the job or not. These Gen. Mgrs. and Div. Mgrs. have 20-30 yrs of service in most cases. If they werent qualified to make these types of decisions, they wouldnt have their positions. The morale throughout the city is at a all time low. The police dept is a prime example. The turnover rate has been extremely high due to the management or more correctly the mismanagement of the day to day operations. And another thing…when former Parks and Rec Director Pam Hollifield, former Police Chief Charlie Sims and the former Fire Chief all left….why not promote people from with in those departments to those positions? It was totally wrong to bring in people from the outside. Im sure there were more than enough qualified people to fill those spots. People with roots here, people who have worked for years striving to one day have the chance for that position. You have General Managers and Division Managers for a reason…LET THEM DO THEIR JOBS WITHOUT THE INTERFERENCE. Please get out to vote and vote for someone who cares about ALL of the city, not just his buddies at. Considering how he knows the inner working and the goings on in Jackson…Lee Jarrell Davis is a good choice. By the same token, so is Betsy Rowell. She has served this community for years, both on the city council and while at Forrest General Hospital. All I ask is to please stand back, evaluate your choices and vote to make a change for the better. Vote for Davis or Rowell, they are Hattiesburgs best chances for improvement.

Comment by Bueshaex — March 27, 2005 #
By the looks of the comments on this blog, maybe more people are educated about what’s going on than what I think. It looks like it’s going to be an exciting Mayor’s race this year, and probably East vs. West, much like the bond issue.

Comment by aaron — March 28, 2005 #
I just hope people get out and vote.

Comment by visitor28 — March 28, 2005 #
Bueshaex-
That was one hell of a post. You certainly do your research, you should put all of that info into a few letters to the editor at the HA. I know they won’t usually print negative things against Dupree, but if enough people do it they will have to. Also, you can send it to the Independent and they will definitely print it. Just a thought!

Comment by MSpoliticsjunkie — March 28, 2005 #
The current administration is a joke.
I’d vote for Shawn O’ Hara before I would vote for Mayor DuPree.
In fact, I think everybody should consider voting for Shawn O’ Hara to send a message: The days of politics as usual at city hall are over!

Comment by Lunchbox Larry — March 28, 2005 #
By the way everyone, I’m not sure if it was posted before, but there is a Mayoral candidate debate at the Saenger theatre Tuesday March 29th at 7pm. All of the candidates are supposed to be there except Dupree (go figure). The event will be taped and broadcast on Comcast sometime in April.

Comment by MSpoliticsjunkie — March 28, 2005 #
Shawn O’hara? Surely youre joking? One would think this nut would give it up after running for every political office there is, and losing time after time. I shouldn’t knock him though, everyone has dreams I guess. Maybe one day he will win office of some sort. Dog catcher perhaps?

Comment by Bueshaex — March 28, 2005 #
MSpoliticsjunkie -

thanks for that info.

Comment by aaron — March 28, 2005 #
I KNOW WE NEED A CHANGE I AM MARRIED TO SOMEONE WHO WORKS FOR THE CITY AND HE HAS GOTTEN A TOTAL OF .74 RAISES IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS. THE NEW EMPLOYEES ARE BEING HIRED IN AT MORE THAN HE MAKES RIGHT NOW. I KNOW SOMEONE WHO STARTED A NEW JOB WITH THE CITY TODAY MAKING .25 CENTS MORE AN HOUR THAN MY HUSBAND WHO HAS BEEN WITH THE CITY FOR 4 YEARS. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GET OUT AND VOTE AGAINST THIS ADMINSTRATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by City Emp Wife — March 28, 2005 #
City Wife: I know exactly how you feel. Youre not alone in that very situation. Thats what really irks you, me, as well as several other people who have put in numerous years of service. The way the raise thing was explained to me once before was…a employee could get up to 4% raise but that wasnt guaranteed. If the supervisor felt that an employee didnt deserve it, the supervisor could give that employee 2 or 3% and give the difference to a employee which he felt did a better job. Now whether or not this was true, I dont know. But I havent heard of it actually happening. It really sucks that the administration jacks up the minimum starting wages, but doesnt adjust everyone elses pay accordingly. I only remember it happening once in the last 10yrs, and that was just last year. I wish I could remember just when it was in the Hattiesburg American, Im thinking it was a year or two ago. But the city said they only had enough money for a 4% raise for its employees, but then gave some of the administration and directors nice fat raises. Surprisingly, the article gave the old salaries and the new salaries. Not only was I shocked but I was rather ticked off as well. You know as well as I do that it does no good to complain, because nothing will change. The general attitude is “if you dont like it, quit”…well sometimes thats easier said than done. One cant exactly just up and quit when trying to support a family and keep food on the table. Maybe if we get another administration into office, they will appreciate our hard work and pay us accordingly. Lord, I hope so.

Comment by Bueshaex — March 28, 2005 #
I have enjoyed reading all the comments found here…good site..and I would like to respond….
1. GET OUT AND VOTE!!! Remember EVERY vote REALLY does count!!!! AND if you don’t vote you really do need to keep your mouth shut!
2. NOTHING will change unless YOU are willing to help make the change!

I agree with Boucheaux, his research seems to be excellent! Sounds like he/she is a person in the know! If the people of Hattiesburg REALLY knew what was going on within the city they would all have a heart attack! It is a shame that H’burg used to have the finest police department in this state…but NO MORE! The chief has seen to this! You would think city administrators would get a clue! Not only has the department lost valuable officers but civilian employees as well. Some with many years of service..all because of an egotistical racist! If you don’t believe that statement ask people who have worked for him or with him…ask other MHP (MS Highway Patrol) personnel…and hey…it doesn’t seem to matter what race the person you ask is…black or white…you will be hard put to find someone who likes the chief because he is arrogant, gruff and tries to make you feel and look like a fool.
Actually I have to wonder if he likes himself. It is simply amazing to me that someone who has only been at the department for less than ten years can go from patrolman to asst. chief or major in such a short time…makes you wonder what they are doing to get promoted. It does no good to bust your butt if you are an employee there…it is not recognized or appreciated. The ones who do the most get kicked in the teeth…ones that do little or nothing other than just draw a salary get accolades! Something is wrong with the system when you have supervisors who can’t do the jobs of all their personnel…alot of departments are the same…so just check with employees or former employees…you will surly get an earful!

Comment by visitor — March 28, 2005 #
Why don’t you ever read about these things in the Hattiesburg American? And why don’t I see candidates harping on these types of issues? I’d love to hear comments on the Saenger Theater debate. I read about it here just a little too late.

Comment by F150 — March 29, 2005 #
By the way, good commentary by everyone. I enjoy reading what’s going on “behind the scenes” and it’s really helping me choose a candidate.

Comment by F150 — March 29, 2005 #
3 posts ago sounds like a current city police dept employee or former employee. I will tell you I have worked for the police department for 14 years and it WILL NOT MAKE ANOTHER 4 YEARS IF WE DONT HAVE A CHANGE.

Comment by savehattiesburg — March 29, 2005 #
The Hattiesburg American and WDAM know about the problems but no one will talk to the media. Look what Danny Rigel has done at Lamar County and guess what every story you see is a former Hattiesburg officer that left in the last year. The 225 lbs of Marijuana they got on easter was a Former Hattiesburg Police Officer that left less than a month ago. He couldnt wait for the election had to get the blank out of dodge

Comment by savehattiesburg — March 29, 2005 #
AskBetsy-
You said that the media will be reporting criminal activity committed by Betsy Rowell in the past. Are you talking about the credit card fraud where she was involved with buying mink coats with stolen cards and reselling them? I heard this rumor but didn’t know if it was true or if anyone would actually investigate or report it. Do you know something we don’t know?

Comment by MSpoliticsjunkie — March 29, 2005 #
Wouldn’t someone immediately drop out if they thought something like that could get out?

Comment by F150 — March 29, 2005 #
in responce to richlain robinson on betsy rowells education..i would like to remind you that Abraham Lincoln had only one year of formal education and turned out to be an excellent public servant..
and as for dupree cleaning up the mess at city hall ..i can not remember a bigger mess than under the present administration…our police officers are leaving in droves, our neighborhoods are deteiorating, our streets are worse then they have ever been.{and i remember dupree in his campaign saying he would fix all our streets) only now right before an election do you see work being done..this is not leadership..and as for as Rev(and i use the term losely) fairley pulling the strings, you have to be either blind or part of the problem if you can’t see it…dupree was for the usm bond issue until dupree got so envolve…never have i seen in my life time a more divided city..more money has been spent by the city on the east part of town for the past 12 years then on any other part.. im 55 and have lived here all my life and we are more divide along race lines then in 1965. Mayor dupree is not a uniter he is a divider..before blacks and whites worked together because it was obvious that we were in this thing together..but now we seem to be in two seperate boats, rowing in opposite directions…and i personally believe it is farley from his political pulpit that is at the sourse of this division…this is without a doubt the most important election in our history…we have never been very lucky with having good mayors.but i believe we are very lucky that Betsy Rowell is willing to take on the task…she is above reproch ,she has done an excellent job so far ,all you have to do is look at her record..she is a very distingished lady and she is willing to fight for what she believes is good for our town..i think we need a woman in the office..one we could be proud to call our mayor…and anyone that has met betsy knows she is a very dignified person who would work tirelessly to make our city united again…one city pulling together not two different citys ..east and west…we see all these ads about us being the top 100 places to live and how we need more people to come and live here and enjoy what we have..but i say we cant even take care of the people we have..until we can do that we dont need to invite more.. its like inviting people to a party before the food is ready and the room is clean..lets solve the problems of the people that have been here and call it home frist..lets fix our roads and lets restore our police department to somekind of place where police officer dont leave in droves but stay and make it there home..how can we feel protected when 95 percent of our force has been there less then five years…that is unexceptable to me..the best officers are the ones that have the most experience ..it is that type of job.. as for lee davis he has not done anything that i can see while in the congress. what makes you think he can do something as mayor…while betsy rowell has been at the very heart of our city for years and knows what is goin on as much as anyone…she has more experienc in city government than dupree…and i urge you to look at her record…lee davis talkes about what he would do for usm but betsy has already done things for usm..she has fought battles on behalf of usm and will continue to..in my opinion out of all the candidates she is the most qualified and she is a hard worker..mr. davis hasnt done one thing you can point to in his job in congress to help our city..and as far a saving us 85,000 dollars i have no doubt that was not the reason for what he did…
i hope everyone will take a good honest look at the people running for this important job and vote there concience…

Comment by sid davis — March 29, 2005 #
I can’t believe that you’re actually comparing Betsy Rowell to Abraham Lincoln. You’re a riot, Sid.

Comment by Lunchbox Larry — March 29, 2005 #
Oh yeah, while I’m thinking about it…awhile back I believe Bobby Chain donated the city some land on the eastside of town. Im pretty sure its at the end of E. Hardy St. just as you get to the Leaf River Bridge. This land was to be used for a golf course. A golf course!?! Arent the others we have good enough? Besides, isnt this land in question in a flood zone? Just how in the world can you play golf underwater? And as in one of my earlier posts…will there be enough people using these facilities to justify the cost of building it? I think not. Just how much money will it take to repair the fairways and greens should it flood and mess everything up? Oh whats the difference, the hardworking city employees wont miss a raise that year. YEAH RIGHT!!! Lets spend our tax money somewhere else and more wisely. If you want to play golf, my I suggest: Timberton, Purvis, Shadowridge, Hattiesburg Country Club, the one at Pine Belt Regional Airport, or any of the many others Ive surely forgotten.

Comment by Bueshaex — March 29, 2005 #
This is definitely giving an unbiased view of what’s going on to our 2000 or so visitors.

Comment by aaron — March 29, 2005 #
Off-topic - Re: Underwater golf ….

Gives a whole new meaning to “Goofy Golf”

I always thought Hattiesburg would be a perfect place for a coliseum … one that could take all the events from the coast and Jackson … Think about it, Hattiesburg has all the major arteries running right thru it, 49, 59, 98e, 98w, 11, 42 … I hated to see that the Multi-purpose center was so under-built. Could have been a great concert hall/hockey rink/basketball arena, etc. AND .. when is the convention center (which we so badly needed as to add a 2% sales tax on motels and restaurants) going to become self-sufficient enough to repeal the 2% tax? Like Bueshaex, I see valuable tax moneys squandered on downtown revitalization projects and walking tracks in decimated areas of town .. places which will never provide revenue or any economic benefit to a growing city .. one which is growing in the OPPOSITE direction of where the money is being spent. Keep downtown looking nice, fix up older neighborhoods, but don’t invest the whole pot there! Big out-of-state businesses which are looking at the Hub City for expansion will not notice. Neither will industry. What they WILL look at is infrastructure in the areas of greatest economic expansion, and investment in the future of our young people and their education (i.e.: The Bond Proposal…). If industry is to locate here, it will need educated individuals to fill jobs. What would be the purpose of locating a plant here, having the city give it a 10 year exemption on its property taxes, then having it hire out-of-state employees? USM is our lifeblood .. face it! Without it, Hattiesburg would wither away .. joining the chorus of failed, economically depressed towns of the past. Looking rather Laurel-ish.

Comment by S.R. Hagar — March 29, 2005 #
I know Clem Terrell like softball. He should organize an annual softball game between east and west Hattiesburg.
The winner would earn the most favor from the city when it comes to projects and services.

Comment by Lunchbox Larry — March 30, 2005 #
Why does Dupree have to consider the schedule of a handful of local churches when planning his state-of -the City address? I saw that post earlier and it kind of rubbed me the wrong way. Just because your church has a special service thta night, it doesn’t mean that the city should stop everything to accomdate you. I am sure there were plenty of other events that night too that would’ve like the mayor to consider them. I see it as you had a choice, church or this city meeting. I know that’s a tough decision, but that is the cold hard truth.

Comment by Ender Wiggin — March 30, 2005 #
i have never in my life seen anything to compare with the mess we have here now!!! no police, no money, only now for the election are we getting out streets fixed (we in the western section have tried for years to get this done). i thought i was dreaming when i heard the big trucks the other day on our street…we all had a good laugh!!! this is a great site, thanks.

Comment by 40 year h'burg resident — March 30, 2005 #
LUNCHBOX..(cute)..im not comparing anyone to anyone..im pointing our that a college education is not good reason to discount someones leadership ability..and lunchbox larry, if you want to know what a riot is…it would be the outcome of a softball game determinng our cities fate…what do you have in that lunchbox, its obviously not serious ideas..and by the way i live in the eastside of hattiesburg.

Comment by sid davis — March 30, 2005 #
and in answer to Ask Betsy, i think it is degrading for someone to be apart of a group that would put out, outright LIES about someone,you called Mrs. Rowell a criminal and should appologize or come up with some proof..that is just pure and simple slander. I cant believe people would behave like yall are out of pure revenge for not getting your way on the zoning issue..the majority of the people who live in that neighborhood did not want that rezoned and mr. barefiel whom i know and like has voted every other time to keep it from being rezoned…only now that money is envolved does yall call foulplay. Yalls organization is mean spirtited and you should be ashamed of yourself…i noticed you did not give your name..i wonder why.

Comment by sid davis — March 30, 2005 #
I think we should look at all the candidiates, Johnny has not managed our city very well and has filled the key positions with friends rather than qulified leaders and yes Rev. Fairley has played a big part of this adminitration, Johnny knows that hasn’t been looked on favorably, thats why you haven’t heard from Rev. Fairley lately but if you want to know where to find him, look whos running Johnnys campaign, Lee Jarrel Davis is one of many in Jackson that has totally screwed up our states finances and we sure as hell do not need anymore of that than we currently have in Hattiesburg, Ms Rowell speaks of reuniting our city but she can’t even do that in her own neighborhood, she acts like this mess has just begun since Johnnys adminitration, it was there before and it has just gotten worse, but you didn’t hear her saying this when Ed was Mayor. Ms Rowell in my experience and from very reliable scources is a bit racist, Remember that Ms Rowell has been a part of this adminitration and has quitely sit on her hands with her mouth shut until now, she is out to benifit herself and those like Bobby Chain that are holding the purse strings. David Senne has not been involved in our city and really has no connection with our city except that now he needs a job to help pay for his antique car hobby. why hasn’t David been attending our city meeting, in 12 years of attending meetings and i have attended to many city meetings to count i have never seen Lee Jarrel Davis or Mr Senne at any of them. But watch out for the quite guy in the corner, he attend many council meetings, budjet meetings, zoning meeting, he attends meetings of neighborhoods and the downtown assc. he has been very quite but a major mover in his community and has used his own money to bring back a very bad area of Hattiesburg, He straight talks, and puts his own money where his mouth is, to work for his comminity He is a qulified college Graduate with a deep love for Hattiesburg, and its citizens. He is out Shaking hands and finding out the real concerns of ours citizens like they use to do before websites, tacky yard signs and expenssive unattatched T.V. and radio commercials there are seven people running for mayor but only one is walking for it,His Name is Walt Coker and you don’t need to wonder what he thinks because you can just call him at home and ask him 601-545-9774 he is always glad to talk to anyone with concerns of the city

Comment by tlaw01 — March 30, 2005 #
watch the debates decide for yourself, just vote!!!!

April 5th 8:00p channel 11
” 13th 6:30p ” 11
” 19th 8:00p ” 11
” 27th 6:30p ” 11

Comment by tlaw01 — March 30, 2005 #
If Johnnie Dupree goes back into office for another 4 years, the City of Hattiesburg is heading in the same direction as Jackson. For the love of the City of Hattiesburg, PLEASE get out and vote for Lee Jarrell Davis or Betsy Rowell.

Comment by Pridenjoy — March 30, 2005 #
To tlaw01: I would sure hate to know you are a part of Walt Coker’s campaign team with all of the typos in that long posting above. That was absolutely pathetic. Anyone who knows Walt Coker knows he’s a bit on the looney side anyway. If people are going to vote, and I hope they do, I would hope they wouldn’t waste their vote on Coker nor DuPree. Hmmmm… maybe that was Coker posting an ad for himself? ha!!

Comment by visitor — March 30, 2005 #
I just recently joined, so I am just catching up on everything, but I have to comment about one thing Bueshaex said. While I agree with everything you said, I have to let everyone know Hattiesburg Police Chief David Wynn is not a member of Mt. Carmel. I’m not sure why Dupree brought him in, and it’s very hard to understand why he has kept him with all of the problems at HPD. Wynn knows nothing about how to treat people, that’s for sure.

Comment by Intheknow — March 30, 2005 #
I was at the mayoral debate tuesday night. Shawn Ohara and CAtherine Star kept it entertaining for us. David Seene was great. I was undecided on who the best choice was for mayor. I will tell you that David Seene has a plan and is going to stick to it. All the other candidates kept saying I will or I support this and that. David said heres my plan it will work and he stood by it. I was impressed he didnt look for the right answer for the voters. He has a plan.

Comment by savehattiesburg — March 31, 2005 #
Wow where do I start? I’m glad someone called Sid on the comparison of Rowell to Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln lived in a time where a vast majority of people didnt graduate from college. Betsy Rowell just dropped out, period. Second, for anyone that is interested I found out one of the illegal things that Rowell did in office and it doesn’t have anything to do with Stone Barefield. Betsy Rowell sent out a mailing to her neighborhood urging people to oppose the sale of Barefield’s land for an apartment development. The problem is that the moron used city stationary as well as the city postage meter. This is absolutely illegal and is technically a misdemeanor embezzlement. She’s lucky the mailing didn’t go out of state or it would have been federal mail fraud. She is no better than Dupree who is using city employees and vehicles to out out campaign signs. Sid, I can understand that you want to defend your candidate, but you really should do some research because none of this is hard to find. Rowell’s campaign has started to crumble over the last few weeks and I would imagine that this story will put her away for good. I doubt she will drop out because she is way too egotistical, but I can’t really guess what she’ll do. Finally, I too went to the debate and I agree that Ohara and Starr were very entertaining. Senne was pretty good but just keep repeating a vague plan that he has yet to explain. Rowell read every word she spoke off of cue cards. Coker was pretty good on his feet but I think his homosexuality will hurt him in a GOP primary (not judging just being honest). I really felt Davis came off as the most honest and well prepared. He gave out his website address which is http://www.leejarrelldavis.com and has very detailed info on his plans as Mayor. SId, I’m sorry but everything you said about Davis was made up. His record is very easily retrieved and disputes every charge you made. I think I have decided after seeing all the candidates there. Dupree was absent of course but I wouldn’t vote for him anyway.

Comment by MSpoliticsjunkie — March 31, 2005 #
First I would like to say that when Dupree was elected I was not disappointed. I felt that he was an honest man with the guts to make his own decisions, and that he would be fair. Boy was I wrong. He went to Kenneth Fairley’s church an gave many people there jobs in high places. Now, I don’t care if someone is black, white or yellow all I want to know is why are they qualified to be there. What is their history and what have they accomplished? There were many people who were very capable and willing to do the job. These people had lots of experience in everyday city functions and it’s government. Dupree surrounded himself with unqualified people who only seem worried about their personal agenda rather than what’s good for the city. This was his downfall. Kenneth Fairley pulling the strings is NOT a conspiracy theory. It’s a fact, and let me tell you some history on him. The man is a crook and a liar. He sleeps with other women in his church and although their husbands know, nothing is said. They are afraid of Fairley. His sons are criminals who get away with anything if it is dealt with by Wynn. I mean, what other “preacher” could get away with having a large amount of narcotics in their church by using the “someone turned it in to me routine” And then he says “I can’t release the persons name because of confidentiality.” What a crock. He couldn’t say anything because his son would have been in trouble and he knew it was beyond his power to get him off. These are not personal attacks on Fairley they are facts being stated. Believe me people, if you only watch News 7 and read the Hattiesburg American then you know nothing of Fairley’s true character. The things i’ve told you come from many people who live around him and have known him for years. Now for the police department. Four years ago Hattiesburg Police was well respected. The applicants were always there and wanted to be in the Hattiesburg Police Family. This is not true any longer. It makes me sick to see what the police department has become in four years. I worked there and know what kind of place it was. The officers were happy and loved doing their job. Let me tell you that 10-15 years ago the gang problem in Hattiesburg was getting bad. They were well organized. The police department’s solution was to become a proactive force rather than reactive. It’s a proven fact that proactive law enforcement works and it worked in this case. The gangs were not allowed free reign anymore and kept in check. By 1995 or so there was no more organization in the gangs. If you had a robbery or shooting it was a big deal then because they just didn’t happen very often. The officers were respected and criminals knew that if you messed up we would get you. The past year has been a telling account to what the city has become. There is a gang shooting 1-2 times a week. There have been at least 2 officer involved shootings that I know of and the armed robberies are common. The violent crime will eventually spread all over the city and will be out of control. Guess what David Wynn’s solution was to the gang problems. He had a meeting with the gang leaders at the police department. Why even give them recognition!!!! It’s these types of decisions that have killed the moral at Hattiesburg police and made the officers so unhappy. And then they put this article in the Hattiesburg American saying that the turnover rate is so high because of pay. This is absolutely not true. The turnover rate is high because of one person and one person only. Yep, It’s David Wynn. He doesn’t need to be there and has no experience with municipal law enforcement, which is much different than being a state trooper. The fact is..everyone who has ever worked for or with David Wynn hates him. At least that’s true with the people I know and believe me that is alot! The experienced officers at hattiesburg police are few and far between. Many of the officers on patrol have less than two years experience and most are fresh out of the academy. This is scary. I hurt for the officers who cannot leave there because they have to much time. I have no idea why Dupree has left Wynn there. I can assure you that it hasn’t helped Dupree’s image and definately not helped the City of Hattiesburg. I don’t know who will be mayor but I can tell you this. College degrees mean nothing to me when it comes to politics. Some of the dumbest people I know have college degrees. Many can’t fold a paper airplane without an instruction book. Common sense, vision, understanding of city budgets and how the city functions is what I care about. Dupree has proven that he can’t do the job. Hopefully Dupree will be gone and the whoever is put in can start the long process of repairing the city.

Comment by thetruth13 — March 31, 2005 #
Betsy Rowell sent out a mailing to her neighborhood urging people to oppose the sale of Barefield’s land for an apartment development. The problem is that the moron used city stationary as well as the city postage meter.
MSpoliticsjunkie CHECK THE FACTS!!!

Comment by savehattiesburg — March 31, 2005 #
How come noone has said anything about Beverly Commodore? I think she’s just as much of the problem as Rev Fairley is.

Comment by Reekingfromthestink — March 31, 2005 #
MSjunkie, you sound like you have a problem with gay people you must work for Davis or Rowells side. Well, I am Walt Coker and let me tell you, if in fact I am gay what the hell would that have to do with this election. This is the biased partisan politics that i want to remove from our city. It is people like you and your comments that have devided our city. The finger pointing is easy. But not as easy as name calling, when no one knows who you are. And as for being a bit looney, I guess i might be a little, but my desire to see that all of Hattiesburgs citizens get equal treament with their own money in their own neighborhoods is something I have been fighting for for more than ten years. I have been called worse by better people, I’m sure. And if any of you would like to talk with me yourself then pick up a phone and call. And tlaw01 i’m not sure who you are but I like the name, and thanks for the vote of confidents. As for you MSjunkie, that was a judgment call. Anyone not passing judgment would have never brought up such a thing in the first place. I do not harbor ill feelings for your ignorant remarks, nor does my wife of 23 years. But we’re just trying to remember when you were last in our bedroom!!! And yes anyone who would throw their hat into this mess we call our city gov’t has to be a bit looney. I have had great success in my own business and have no monatary reason for seeking this office, but a true concern that some of the biased, partisan politics that is deviding our state and city, comes to a stop. It does not bother me what a few ignorant people say about me or the names they call me. But people like you that pass judgment on others because of their race, religious beliefs, or sexual preference are the people we are trying to get out of our city gov’t.! Davis has a record he can stand behind, and cover his face. It is ashame what he and his counter parts have done with our state finances. We told him once four years ago, we do not want him nor his politics in Hattiesburg!

Comment by walt coker — March 31, 2005 #
I would also like to say, that I have many gay and lesbian friends. And if they were in charge, our books would be balanced, our streets would be fixed and our city would be a cleaner and healtier place to live in, for everyone. Shame on you MSjunkie, this is 2005 are their people like you still alive?

Comment by walt coker — March 31, 2005 #
Lot of great thoughts here but let us not blame the Mayor or chief for exit of officers. First 21 or more have been deployed. Second as long as the pay is low we will have exits.
That is how it works in the work marketplace. YOu get what you pay for in any industry. As for police we ask them to put it on the line for short order pay.

Comment by Visitor and concerned citizen — March 31, 2005 #
Exactly, but how do we solve these problems? From what I read in the American, it was only Coker and Rowell that put the police problems first.

As far as the homosexual comment, I think MSpolitics was saying it would hurt Walt Coker in the long run. Even though I don’t know if a majority of voters would have known that in the first place.

Then again, I wouldn’t have known a lot of things about the candidates if it weren’t for this site. I don’t always catch the news, and the American tends to leave things out.

Comment by F150 — March 31, 2005 #
Save Hattiesburg - I urge YOU to check the facts!

Comment by MSpoliticsjunkie — March 31, 2005 #
Walt- Well you obviously didn’t read my post all the way through, but far be it from a poltician to have fact paralysis! Actually four years ago Dupree supporters cross voted in the GOP primary for Ed Morgan because they knew he was the weaker candidate in the general - that actually was in the paper. I heard they may do it again and vote for Rowell because her racist record on the council will make her easy to beat this year in the general. Anyway, it’s probably not a good idea for a candidate for public office to rant on a message board, I guess you weren’t kidding when you said you were new at this!

Comment by MSpoliticsjunkie — March 31, 2005 #
Hey Sid…just thought I’d add a little comic relief to the comic relief already being provided by Catherine Starr and Shawn O’ Hara.
I have plenty of serious ideas about this city and its future.
I have a pretty good idea where this city will be headed if the people re-elect Johnny DuPree — further down the toilet.
I’m concerned about our city’s police department, which has fallen into shambles under this current administration.
We need somebody who is tough on crime and who won’t run off good men and women officers to run the police department.
What we have now is a joke.
We need people to run departments based on qualifications - not based on who they know and where they go to church.
While we’re on that subject, we need a mayor who calls his or her own shots not a puppet.
We need a mayor who is going to support USM and William Carey and who recognizes the value of these fine institutions to our community.
We need new businesses and industry.
We need a mayor who will work with the ADP.
We need a mayor who doesn’t see an east Hattiesburg and a west Hattiesburg but one Hattiesburg - a mayor who genuinely wants to work for all the people of Hattiesburg and not a mayor who wants to be mayor for the sake of prestige.
We need a mayor who is fiscally competent and responsible.
We need a mayor who is going to boast of his or her own accomplishments rather than a mayor who feeds off the success of others.
We need a mayor who is above all the political crap.
I’m casting my vote for David Senne.

Comment by Lunchbox Larry — March 31, 2005 #
I’m not saying that the pay doesn’t need to be raised for police officers. I’m also not saying that deployment hasn’t hurt the department. I’m not sure what the numbers are but approximately 75-80 officers have left the department since 2000 most being during the Dupree administration. This is not counting deployment. These numbers are astounding considering that the department has 128 slotted positions. I know each officer who left personally and pay wasn’t a factor. It was David Wynn. I would like to know what the turnover was like before Wynn came. I don’t know the numbers on this either, but I would bet my life savings it wasn’t even close to now. You will never convince me that this administration is not the sole culprit for this.

Comment by thetruth13 — March 31, 2005 #
MSpolitics just to set the record straight, I am not a politician, but I do believe that less politics and more concern about our state of the city is needed.I know what needs to be done to get our house in order. My plan on spending is very simply.

1. We must make sure our neighborhoods are safe and justice and protection are served equally to all( I will seek to bring back Charlie Simms in some capacity, to fix our troubled police Dept. he has a great record of serving Hattiesburg)

2. We need a 5 year budget that takes into account all the repairs that are needed immediatly, and to maintain what we have

3 We must only let USM know that the city Administration in behind them to repair that damage ( it does not have to be a prority)

4. We must reduce that amount of monies being spent on unnessary projects that are not supported by all the taxpayers

5.We must make sure that our city council knows that they are there to serve us all and work together, not just for what best for their wards.

Comment by walt coker — March 31, 2005 #
Walt-
If you run for office you are a politician, period. Saying you’re not is an insult to the intelligence of all voters. Second, Charlie Sims has said publicly that he is not interested in coming back to work for the city, so make sure you can deliver before you make a promise. Third, I’m glad that you admit that USM is not a priority for you. This should ensure that you don’t get any USM votes. Fourth, you call yourself a liberal Republican, I didn’t know there was such a thing, but I can assure you that you’re the only one in Mississippi. Last, your comment during the debate that “we should give East Hattiesburg what they need, and west Hattiesburg what they want..” should ensure that you won’t receive any votes in east Hattiesburg. By the way that is an idiotic thing to say when you live in east Hattiesburg. Finally, I thought you said that you were the only candidate walking the streets (which isn’t true). You must have a wireless laptop that allows you to post on this website all day while you’re knocking on doors! Is technology great?

Comment by MSpoliticsjunkie — March 31, 2005 #
I read these comments about the police department and just want to cry! I KNOW what the department WAS like…I WAS an employee! NO, I wasn’t fired. I quit…WHY you may ask…because it was not worth all the headaches, heartaches and hassles that I had to endure each day. I think I can speak for many employees, past and present…or at least ones who have been employeed there for over say..10 years…the department just hasn’t been the same since Chief Charlie Sims, Kathy Blackledge, Larry Moore and several others left the department. At that time, everyone was one big happy family…didn’t matter what your job was, police officer of civilian…you were treated fairly and with respect. Those supervisors doors were always open and they would listen to employee comments…be they good or bad…they would listen and things would often be changed because of that heart to heart talk…at least you were given a chance to speak your mind and make suggestions without fear of reprisal…there were no hard feelings on either side…if the idea had merit it was at least tried, if not you were shown why it wouldn’t work and thanked for the effort put forward.
When you went over and beyond doing your job, you were given a pat on the back…not just ignored…and you were NEVER talked down to…
Sure I liked getting a raise…everyone does, BUT I wasn’t in the police line of work to “get rich.” It was something I enjoyed doing and tried to do to the best of my ability…whether it was for the black citizens or the white ones…I just wanted to give back to my community and help as many people as I could…
It is hard for me to fathom that someone in a supervisory position would go out of their way to show racism, as someone remarked on in a previous post but let me tell you it happened almost daily, especially after Chief Wynn took over. I got a kick out of always being told to be a “team player” but the rules never applied to him or some of the other supervisors who are under his watch.
I saw one supervisor in particular who refused to let an employee who had her head over the trash can being sick go home because she could not get anyone to work her shift for her…the supervisor refused to come down to work in that persons place. Her excuse was “I don’t get paid to come down after regular business hours to work…it is not my responsibility, if you want to go home YOU find someone who will come take your place.” I don’t know where she got her supervisor training at but I have never heard of such a thing before…previously when I was a supervisor that was exactly what I had to do…work when there was no one else…come hell or high water! I saw that with my own eyes,that is not hearsay…and how can a person like that be a supervisor over maybe 25-30 people and not be able to do those peoples jobs? What if she HAD to fill in?
I tell you this, both sworn officers and civilians are tired of being treated without respect and common courtesy…like I told MY supervisor…”I had a job BEFORE I came here and I WILL have one AFTER I leave…you can take this job and shove it”!
Oh yes, another thing about the police dept….have you seen their working conditions? Why this administration has continued to pump multi-hundreds of thousands of dollars into that old worn out building is beyond me..It has been condemed so many times by the grand jury I have lost count. It is strange that MONEY and grants can always be found to fix everything else in town but not get a new modern police department….I am really surprised that the department got accredited as they did….
If you don’t beleive how things are, like the previous post, just take time to ask former employees or the ones that are there now…I am sure they will tell you, better yet go over and ask for a complete tour of the building…from the TOP to the BOTTOM…it is falling in! That is another reason people are leaving the police department…it is actually making them sick…the building is FULL of MOLD, MILDEW, ASBESTOS and just plain filth! The band-air approach was recently given only because several employees are trying to sue the city because of the damage they have to their health due to the poor working conditions…remember, just ask the employees…you will get an ear full!

Comment by visitor — March 31, 2005 #
Charlie Simms has stated he would consider returning in some compacity, but only after the removal of the present adminitartion. And that is for the record!

Comment by walt coker — March 31, 2005 #
I agree with Reekingfromthestink!! Beverly Magee Commodore is just as bad as Chief Wynn. She is so racist!! If your not the right color, you WILL NOT be hired for the City of Hattiesburg with this administration. If your white, you might as well forget getting a job.

Comment by Pridenjoy — March 31, 2005 #
What ever happened to the case where the Mexican was hit on 28th Ave. by FGH? Why didn’t Chief Wynn investigate that hit and run. Was the reason behind it b/c someone from Rev. Fairley’s church possibly hit the guy?

Comment by Pridenjoy — March 31, 2005 #
I applaud retlaw, Lunchbox Larry, visitor and thetruth13’s comments! I am glad to see that people are aware of what is really going on with the inside politics in the city of Hattiesburg. The statements about the condition of the Hattiesburg Police Department are sad, but true. Scores of excellent police officers with years of experince fled the city ranks after realizng that the struggle for truth justice and the American way was and impossible battle to win with a crooked Mayor and crooked chief! I spent four wonderful years working at the Hattiesburg Police Department. Those years, under the direction of Charlie Sims, were some of the happiest years of my life. Hattiesburg Police Department was the envy of every law enforcement agency in the state. The Hattiesburg Police/Fire Training Academy turned out the best trained police officers of this generation. The academy was the most coveted place to graduate from because everyone knew that HPD had the best officers, the best training and the most professional and upstanding department in the state. I was proud to work with the members of the Hattiesburg Police Department. Since I moved on nearly five years ago, I have kept in touch with nearly all of the people that I worked with at HPD. I have heard the stories of injustice by the current administration. I have seen dozens of police officers move on to other agencies because they could no longer work at HPD and hold their heads high. They were ashamed of the administration that they worked for and were fed-up with the racist, egotistical dictator also known as David Wynn… I refuse to call him Chief, because Chief is a title that I use for someone I respect. I have no respect for a man who is in a leadership position and who does not lead… He has made it a point to promote “yes men” - men who will quietly do his bidding and ignore the right thing to do… He has driven away through unfair treatment and blatant lies and unethical treatment some of the finest police officers that the city of Hattiesburg will EVER know! It is a shame to see that the current administration gives more consideration to drug dealers, gang bangers and thieves than to the very people who keep them safe! It is a shame that HPD officer are no longer allowed to conduct any form of proactive police work and that their time is spent going from call to call to call… It is a shame that armed robberies, shootings, stabbings, burgleries and major drug deals have become common place. When I worked for HPD, the crime rate was MUCH MUCH lower than it is now. I pray that the citizens of Hattiesburg will request answers for the tangible and intangible deterioration of the city. I hope that the voters will DEMAND to see the real crime statistics for the last four years. I hope and pray that a Mayor with courage and honesty will win this year’s election and will help the city heal from the moral and ethical degredation that has taken place under the current adminstration. I hope that Charlie Sims does come back. I have a lot of respect for him. He was a great chief who lead with courage, grit and itegrity! I would also love to see some of the veteran police officers who have left return and make the HPD police force the best in the state again. I also would have to say that a collge degree does not mean anything to me either… Training, experience, courage, integrity, vison and intrinsic motivation are the qualities of all great leaders! You can be educated without having a piece of paper that says you spent four years sitting inside of four walls while other people were out living! Please encourage the media to conduct an in-depth investigation into the current adminisrtation and the “thinks-he-is-a-reverend-but-really-is-a-crook-Kenneth-Fairley! Maybe the IRS should even get involved…

Comment by prayingforchange — March 31, 2005 #
I did not mean to imply that ALL of the great officers from HPD have left the city… There are still a few great ones left who carry a heavy burden, who care about the city, who care about people and who are just trying to make it day-to-day… I hope that their fortitude pays off and that they can stay around to see a new administration take over!

Comment by prayingforchange — March 31, 2005 #
I am glad to finally see some officers, both current & former, telling the truth about what’s going on. It’s LONG overdue, and something the public needs to hear. I sure hope everyone who visits this site is reading all of the comments by these officers and taking it to heart. For they know what is really going on since they are or were under the “reign” of this administration.

Comment by Intheknow — March 31, 2005 #
I would have to agree with “praying for change”. I have several good friends that used to be Hattiesburg police officers. They all say the same things that are being posted on this site. Crime is not down. They are making officers change reports so that the crimes they show are not on the uniform crime report. Overall crime is probably down. You have to consider what overall crime includes. The reason it is down is because there is no such thing as proactive police work at the department anymore. Only a few officers are allowed to make traffic stops at night. They have to ride around and look at buildings so they don’t get burglarized. This just touches the surface. Everyone must get out and vote. If not, Hattiesburg will be like Jackson or New Orleans soon. If there is not a change, I’m moving to Lamar County where I can feel safe. Several of their deputies used to be some of the best officers at Hattiesburg. I know that Sheriff Regal will not let them speak publicly about why they left hattiesburg, but ask them in private one day. You have probably seen some of them in press releases in the past few weeks. Matt Adams, Brad Weathers, Marc Ogden, among others will be glad to talk to you. I don’t know how well you know these officers but Hattiesburg could use them in getting a control on crime again. Fat chance. I don’t see them coming back. Especially, if there is no mayor change. Vote Smart!

Comment by help! — March 31, 2005 #
Ya know, at this point in time…I really think a grilled cheese sandwich could run the city better than the current administration. At least it serves a purpose and accomplishes something.

Comment by Scooby Snack — March 31, 2005 #
I agree with the previous posts about the Hattiesburg Police Department. I am a former Hattiesburg Police officer also and it was not because of the money that I left but rather the chief and the adminstration. I was only there for four years but when I started it was the best department in the state and I hate to see it destroyed so fast. The way things were changed made it seem like this administration wanted to get rid of everything that the previous administration had put into place just so they could say that they did something (whether right or wrong). I think the main goal of the Wynn administration is to run off as many officers as they can, that knew what it was like to have fun at work and enjoyed their job, and put his type of officers (yes men) on the streets. If that happens the city will be in worse shape than it already is. I too, feel sorry for the officers that can’t afford to quit and find another job to support their families because they love what they do. You were smart to get out when you did Ted.

Comment by Hattiesburg resident — March 31, 2005 #
Scooby snack - good one! i literally laughed out loud, It would be funnier if it weren’t so true! I’m glad to see a real dialougue about the issues here. The police dept. is oviously a very important issue to most people. I’m glad Lee Jarrell Davis has brought on a recently departed HPD officer on his campaign advisory staff so that he will know what needs to be done as soon as he becomes Mayor. I hear a lot of other candidates talking about the police problem but I’m glad to see that at least one candidate is doing something about it. Davis has my vote - he’s actually a shoe in for the GOP nomination but we all need to unite in order to beat Dupree in June!

Comment by Luther Wilcox — March 31, 2005 #
I agree with Praying for change and Help! This city is going to crap. I used to feel safe going to Hattiesburg to shop or visit friends, now I shop in Wiggins even though the drive is longer. I can’t believe Hattiesburg has gone down so far, so fast. I place blame on Johnny Dupree and David Wynn. If they get the boot, I hope the city isn’t too far gone to fix. The next Mayor and Chief is going to have a job on their hands.

Comment by visitor — March 31, 2005 #
Reading these comments I have to wonder has it not occurred to the city council that something is rotten in Hattiesburg, MS? Surely they know that this mess is going on? Have they made any attempts to ask questions for themselves? Surely they know this is a bad reflection of them too since they are part of this administration! Why havn’t they been asking questions and seeking answers? Are they afraid of Dupree, Fairley and Wynn?
Why have they not asked questions as to why someone who only started as a police officer less than ten years ago can advance so quickly to make major and assistant chief while others have busted their butts, played by the rules, got the training, put in their time and got kicked to a pulp? Surely they know that there is —kissing going on and can put a stop to it. The citizens of Hattiesburg should be enraged! They should also be afraid to leave home…I never thought I would see the day Hattiesburg would fall this hard because of just a few people. Also why was the mayor not at the Jaycee forum? Surely he could have made such an important event…or was he, Fairley and Commodore plotting as to what needs to be done next? Wake up citizens of Hattiesburg, it is time for a change!

Comment by visitor — March 31, 2005 #
Well spoken. I have wondered also why the city council hasn’t questioned the situation. I know this….there is an exit interview for each and every employee who leaves the City of Hattiesburg. I know for a fact that many of the employees who left spoke their mind and told the truth about why they were leaving. Some may have been scared to do this but many weren’t. If the city council wanted to know why so many people were leaving then they could get copies of this information. If it had been me I would have been making some phone calls to some of the ex-employees to find out the truth about why they left. It’s not like the people who left didn’t have much time in with the city. These were tenured employees many who took early retirements to get out. Some of the employees even paid thousands into their retirement so they could retire early. Some red flags should have been going up all along and the council should have been asking questions.

Comment by thetruth13 — March 31, 2005 #
Well, I know I heard Betsy Rowell had come by this site and just laughed. I’m glad to see Walt Coker responded bravely to the crowd here. It would make my day to see Johnny Dupree to do the same thing. By the way, stop posting comments so fast, I can’t keep up!

Comment by subnet_rx — April 1, 2005 #
myself and about 16 members of the Hattiesburg Police Dept. who are currently serving in the military had to file a complaint against Chief Wynn for discriminating against us. I don’t think the citizens in the city know that they are giving the officers in the military a hard time about their military obligation. Chief Wynn has made statements to us that we need to figure out who we wanted to work for the city or the military. Well i was doing both before he came and i would like to continue. After the statements of the military personel made it all the way to Washington I got a call from a rep. She wanted to know who David Wynn was and that she had never talked to anyone with his attitude toward military personel. I am currently on active duty and i will continue to volunteer(because the law allows me to)until David Wynn is gone and something is done with his two hinchmen Frank Misenhelter and Hardy Sims who are no doubt hiding in the shadow of their leader. How can you replace officers such as Brad Weathers, Matt Adams, David Ezell, Ted Socha, Greg Mcalpin, Mark Ogden, Rhonda Clifton, Nick Calico, David Jarrell, Jason Gibson, Jeff Conway, Russell Gay, Jason James, Bryan Ford, Sammy Burch, Jeff Paulsen, Jim Kinslow, David Polson, David Wayne Morgan, Denton Plumlee, Mike Childress, Don Harrison, Jaime Murray, Mike Humphrey, and these are just a few of the officers who have left because of the administrations pressure to make unethical decisions. And as for all the officers that Wynn is talking about who retired, these were guys that were not even close to retiring until he came along. There are probably several officers who are watching the election and if it don’t go right they are gone too. Crime is down, yeah right!! The crime is down because they are making the officers change their reports to lesser crimes and the officers are scared to do anything proactive because of the administration. Again I am an employee at the Police Dept. and I am on Active duty where I will remain until the three leaders of that communist regime are dethrowned.

Comment by ed — April 1, 2005 #
my question is what took so long for people to realize that mayor johnny dupree made the ultimate mistake by bringing david wynn to the city of hattiesburg? david wynn main goal was to destroy the hattiesburg police department as quickly as possible. david wynn succeded in accomplishing this mission. david wynn is a selfish and arrogant individual who do not care about anyone other than himself. david wynn sees everyone else at fault but not himself,the best thing that can happen for the city of hattiesburg is to throw stones at david wynn and run him out of town. not only should they run him out but don’t forget about frank misenhelter and hardy sims. before frank decided to mirror the chief everyone in his eyesight was a m…..f…..and s.o.b and many other words. now lets don’t leave hardy sims out who is a racist in his own ways and words. these are the people who mayor dupree has in his adminstration what a sad day for the tax payers of hattiesburg. again david wynn has accomplished his mission in destroying the hattiesburg police department which was once a proud police department and ranked one of the best departments in the state.

Comment by what a relief — April 1, 2005 #
My comment to this whole hattiesburg police department thing is, why does the police chief need a loaded crown victoria with leather seats and a cd player. this is his third vehicle to my understanding. mr. Bueshaex you are exactly right why does the parks and recreation mgr. need a full size truck? The best thing for david wynn aka (satan on earth) to do is to resign or just quit. there are troopers all over the south and even the northern part of the state that doesn’t like this man. He is a selfish arrogant selfcentered man who cares nothing about the city or it’s employees.It will be one happy day when this man leaves the city or even the state.Also mr.hardy sims and the chiefs other little flunky frank misenhelter needs to pack up and leave town to.It’s a fact that some really seasoned officers have left the city for lower paying jobs to get away from this adminisrtation.I could go on and on but to just think about those three leaves a bad taste in my mouth every time i think about it. from a concerned citizen.

Comment by visitor29 — April 1, 2005 #
I happen to know for a fact that the person posting as retlaw and claiming to be Walt Coker is not Walt Coker. Mr. Coker did view this site and just as Mrs. Rowell he too had a big laugh.

Comment by hattiesburger — April 1, 2005 #
how happy i am to be away from the hattiesburg police department under david wynn regime. as a former officer with the department why not question frank misenhelter about his background as a police officer. let me tell you as a lieutenant with the net team he was not worried about the citizens of hattiesburg he was more worried about keeping an eye on his wife using tax payers gas to follow her around and having some of his fellow officers do his dirty work for him. but yet this assistant chief now has the “nerve” to question other officers about their conduct on and off the job. come on frank who are you dr.jekyll or hr.hyde. be honest frank and tell the people how you use to brag about hitting people in the head with your flashlight and how you would lie in court. ps will you submit to a polygraph frank. citizens look what you got pretending to care for your well being. again let’s not forget hardy sims if david wynn goes the department will benefit if you leave with him. look under your rug HARDY SIMS, HOPEFULLY IF PEOPLE GET OUT AND VOTE AND MAKE A CHANGE AT THE MAYOR’S POSITION YOU’LL BE ON THAT TRAIN WITH TAR AND FEATHERS.

Comment by what a relief — April 1, 2005 #
if anyone wants to know what they will get from a davis adminstration, just look at the post from MSpoliticsjunkie. the means spirited , slanderous, and condescending way in which he speaks..he calls mrs. rowell a criminal,a moron, and a racist, mr. coker a homosexual, all because he knows both are better candidates than davis..the only thing i can think of that is in a bigger mess then mayor duprees administration is the legislature in jackson…mr. davis’s playground. i dont think we need him here..and mr. whatever your name is please inform me of what good he has done..and without betsy rowell, red bailey and carter carrol i dont know what shape our city would be in…they have been the only thing standing in the way of dupree and fairley having complete control..dont you know that, are you that ignorant of the situation. it is obvious you are a davis supporter and you well say and do anything to further your cause..but i got news for you..people didnt want him last time and they really dont want him now..i was also at the debates..and it is just a lie that betsy rowell read everthing from cue cards…and davis was the 4th best..i thought rowell , coker and senne were all more articulate,and more prepared than davis..he seemed aloof and detached from the discussion.
And as for as the letter you are refering to mrs. rowell sent, it was perfectly legal..a concilperson has the right to inform their constituents of what they thinks…i called the city attorneys office..she did nothing illegal..so mr. junkie i think you should do some research of your on, before telling others what to do.

Comment by sid davis — April 1, 2005 #
how happy i am to be away from the hattiesburg police department under david wynn regime. as a former officer with the department why not question frank misenhelter about his background as a police officer. let me tell you as a lieutenant with the net team he was not worried about the citizens of hattiesburg he was more worried about keeping an eye on his wife using tax payers gas to follow her around and having some of his fellow officers do his dirty work for him. but yet this assistant chief now has the “nerve” to question other officers about their conduct on and off the job. come on frank who are you DR.jekyll or MR.hyde. be honest frank and tell the people how you use to brag about hitting people in the head with your flashlight and how you would lie in court. ps will you submit to a polygraph frank. citizens look what you got pretending to care for your well being. again let’s not forget hardy sims if david wynn goes the department will benefit if you leave with him. look under your rug HARDY SIMS, HOPEFULLY IF PEOPLE GET OUT AND VOTE AND MAKE A CHANGE AT THE MAYOR’S POSITION YOU’LL BE ON THAT TRAIN WITH TAR AND FEATHERS.

Comment by what a relief — April 1, 2005 #
lunchbox larry ..you seem like a person who really cares about this election..i enjoy reading your post. i agree with you about the police situation being the most important thing. Mrs. Rowell when ask in the debates stated that she thought the situation at the police department was the most important issue..mr. davis said having a good relations with USM.. no one cares more for a good relationship with USM then i do..i am a graduate of that school. but all the candidates will will work for that goal..but the police problem is the most important..our safety. If lee davis is elected he will have to learn about what is actually goin on behind the scenes in city goverment he is an outsider..Mrs. Rowell is allready there and can hit the ground running. i know she is dedicated to reversing the problems of the police department frist and foremost. I know you said you were voting for mr. davis but i would appreciate you takin just one more look at what mrs. rowell is all about. if you have any questions about her. call her she will be more than glad to talk to you. just one more look larry i think you will agree she is the best qualified..no matter who you vote for, thanks for caring like you do.

Comment by sid davis — April 1, 2005 #
I think we should all go out and cast our vote for Catherine Star and shut down the Dupree Empire in round one. Dupree is not a child he is a grown man pulling his own strings he is just as crooked as the Rev he just wants it to look as if he is innocent in all of this. You know I always thought Wynn had six legs I guess two were Sims and the other two were Frank those two look as if the chief sat on them.

Comment by visitor39 — April 1, 2005 #
What kind of mayor can sit back and let his wife have an affair with the Rev and say that he has strong Christian beliefs. Dupree is leading the city like the Rev is leading his Church and that is straight to h_ll! Did you read the Hattiesburg American article? I think the mayor is behind the chief on doctoring all the records so that the crime rate looks great during his term in office, but we know there is more going on. He had to appoint a crooked police Chief to take care of his daughters crimnal act! I wish this would be published in the Hattiesburg American. I would like all of Hattiesburg to hear what is going on. Wouldn’t it be great if the attorney generals office would come down and do a audit!

Comment by visitor39 — April 1, 2005 #
This is the real Walt Coker and let me go one the record to say that a new Administraion is needed!! Across the board, and that doesn’t mean with Jackson politics!
But this is not where we need to being saying it, lets say it at the polls!!!!!!

Comment by walt coker — April 1, 2005 #
Thanks for the support

Now lets go make a change!

Comment by walt coker — April 1, 2005 #
I served at the Hattiesburg Police Dept. for 4 years. I discontinued my employment because I chose not to work under the current administration.
There was an article in the Hattiesburg American yesterday that touched on a topic that is mentioned on this page a few posts back. The topic is the mass exodus of Hattiesburg Police Officers and its correlation to officer’s pay. Do officer’s get paid much? No…But.
Council person D. Denard says that low pay is the reason officers are leaving. As a person from the inside, let me tell you…She, and anybody that thinks that is wrong! Absolutely wrong! Let�s think…Officer’s don’t get paid much. That’s a fact. 1) At the police Dept., during the Wynn Admin. There have been normal, consistent pay raises….Officers still leave. 2) In the state of MS you will be hard pressed to find higher paying local law enforcement than Hattiesburg P.D…..Officers still leave. 3) Many officers that have left have stayed in local law enforcement. I personally know of multiple officers who have taken pay cuts to go to Petal P.D., Lamar Co. S.O., Forrest Co. S.O., Univ. Southern MS P.D., etc. I am telling you, if you are a Hattiesburg P.D. officer and you can leave, YOU DO! Let me re-emphasize…IT’S NOT THE MONEY THAT MAKES OFFICERS LEAVE! ITS THE ADMINISTRATION!
The comments of Councilperson Denard attest to her obliviousness to the issues. I have always had a question for her anyway…Why, at the City Thanksgiving (2001) party was she wearing a jacket with NAACP printed in big letters all over it. I suspect if a white person had a jacket that read NAAW(white)P that they would be considered a racist. Double standard? I expect better from my city’s representatives. Of course…this is a councilperson that was cited for driving on driver’s licenses that were suspended for almost a year. Her character is questionable at best.

Comment by xo — April 1, 2005 #
It could get worse!!!

Get out and VOTE!!!!!!

Comment by walt coker — April 1, 2005 #
I would like to thank all the Officiers that put their lives on the line for all Hattiesburg citizens and visitors to our great Little City. Get out and make that change come swiftly. Elect a Mayor for all the People by the People.Hang in there guys change is a coming. Vote May 3rd and June 7th lets make a difference, lets make a change lets make our mark, VOTE!!!And a special thanks for a great job done Hattiesburg Fire Fighters!!

Mayoral Hopeful Walt Coker

We need you back Charlie Simms!

Comment by walt coker — April 1, 2005 #
To xo, why do you think the American didn’t interview an officer and they actually say what your saying? Or if they would just interview a “retired” officer, some of this would come out. So many people have said the same thing on here that you have about the police department, so why isn’t something being done?

Comment by aaron — April 1, 2005 #
Sid….I agree that Mrs. Rowell is well qualified to lead the city and she will certainly gets my support should she survive the primary.

However, as cliche as it may sound, I think we need someone who is not a “politician.”

I realize that if you run for office you automatically become a politician but that’s not what I mean.

I look at a guy like David Senne, who I think is a very intelligent man and has a good grasp of finances and management , and I genuinely think he canmake a good contribution to our city.

I look at people like Walt Coker, Catherine Starr and Shawn O’ Hara and I see three people who genuinely care about the city and want to make it a better place to live.

At first, I said to my self, “Who the heck is Walt Coker?” but, after having listened to Walt during Tuesday’s debate, I feel like he brings a lot to the table and could really shake up city hall if given the opportunity by voters.

O’Hara is on his own planet. I don’t know that any of his 88-word (count it) platform) resonates with Hattiesburg voters although I’ve always felt there should be seat belts on school buses. Is that even something the mayor can fix? I don’t think so.

Starr is right on about the turmoil at the police department and the corruption at city hall. I’m not calling the mayor a crook by any means. One definition of corrupt is “to taint with errors.” I think the mayor has tainted city hall by putting unqualified people in positions of authority.

Lee Jarrell said he’s the only candidate who has addresses the issue of homeland security.
That may be because it’s not really relevant to the campaign.
By the way, what was he referring to when he said a suspected member of Al-Quaeda was living in Hattiesburg at one time?
I know The Independent erroneously reported (as they often do) that one of the hijackers on 9/11 had attended USM.
Maybe that’s what Lee Jarrell was talking about. i don’t know.
He certainly knows how to push the right buttons when it comes to talking about USM.

That was a common thread among all the candidates - maintaining a close relationship with USM (academia’s version of the Titanic). That’s important. I think we know where the mayor stands on USM because actions speak louder than any words.

I think we have four good candidates in this race (Senne, Coker, Rowell and Davis) and I think wewould be well served by any of them.

I just think that we as voters need to develop a strategy. Once it’s decided who will face DuPree in the general election (unless the temperature in hell dips below freezing and Starr wins the primary), we as voters need to work our tails off to get that person elected because, if we don’t, we’re going to be in for another four years of the same ol’ junk.

As for the grilled cheese sandwich running the city, I regret to inform you that a former public official with an affinity for sandwiches devoured the old boy this morning.

Comment by Lunchbox Larry — April 1, 2005 #
I would just like to give the reason that officers have not been quoted in the newspaper. To do so would be a violation of their policy manual. An officer is not allowed to say anything negative against the Hattiesburg Police Department or its members. Officers are also not supposed to be involved in any political promotions. I have word from several current hpd officers that they have been told to show up at a press conference to combat what Councilman Carroll stated in the paper. I believe this would be a violation of the policy manual. Administrators are making these officers

My Hattiesburg

Who will be the next mayor of Hattiesburg?

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