My Hattiesburg

Get out and vote

On Tuesday, June 7th, we may just have the best turnout in Hattiesburg election history. Of course, we may just have the worst, since it’s up to you. The most important thing is not who you vote for, it’s that you make a informed decision about who should lead this city, and cast your ballot for that person. That’s what all the fuss is about. That’s why these candidates create web sites, spend money on commercials, and spend lots of time talking about their plan. For you and your vote.

If you’ve read this site for the past couple of months, you know that some people say that Hattiesburg is in the gutter. They are happy to give first-hand accounts of outrageous situations containing abuse of power and corrupt leaders. Other people will tell a different story, about the city’s many accomplishments during this administration, and it’s been a turn for the better over the past four years. Me? I don’t know first-hand about any of these things. I think you should look at yourself personally. Look around at your home, your roads, your taxes, and at the city as a whole. Do you like what you see? Then vote for Dupree. Do you think things could be improved? Then vote for Rowell or O’Hara. I just want to be able to say on June 7th that Hattiesburg, as a whole, elected our mayor, whoever that may be. I’d like to say that Hattiesburg stands behind this person, because we had 100% of the registered voters turn out and someone…anyone won the majority. These candidates want the same thing I’m sure. They don’t want to be elected by a select few, they want to stand in front of Hattiesburg knowing that they were elected by the people, for the people.

“Well, what if I can’t make it on Tuesday?” According to the Hattiesburg American, hundreds of absentee ballots have already been cast, and that is an option to you to if you can’t make it on Tuesday. You don’t even have to have a good excuse, just the fact that you don’t like the traffic on election day can get you an absentee ballot and at the front of the line before election day even gets here. Then on Tuesday, you ride home and and lounge in your favorite chair until the results come in.

Lastly, If your wondering where to vote, just call the city clerk’s office at 601-545-4552 and they will let you know what Ward you are in and where you should vote at. It’s that easy. Come back Tuesday night, turn on WDAM, or get on MyHattiesburg.com and watch as the numbers roll in knowing that you participated in Hattiesburg’s 2005 election. It’ll be a decision no one can make again until the year 2009.