The only thing that the majority of faculty agree on is that the Thames administration must go. 

Maybe there is a second point of agreement, sooner is better.

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Originally posted by: Karl Rove's Cousin
"LJ Davis is no more Thames' man than is Myron Henry.  For instance, Shelby's wife, and a host of Thames' suck-ups-because-I-don't-want-to-get-yelled-at-and-fired were at Betsy Rowell's announcement on the campus, while LJ Davis was practically all alone.  Other examples can be given, but that is enough.  Politico go back under the bridge!"

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I am going to vote for David Senne for mayor. Most of you may not have heard of David because he's agreed to run his campaign without outside funds. That's typical of his sense of honor. I came to know Senne when he was chair for several years of our Army ROTC department when I was associate dean of Liberal Arts. Col. Senne was among the best--and I mean among the three or four best--department chairs in my 20 years in office. When he retired he became director of the Pine Belt Airport and brought that failing institution into solvency. He also volunteered--volunteered, mind--to become a USM recruiter, but we turned him down because he was "too old." (I know, because I was on the search committee.) His wife is a well-known philanthropist in town (= "the Cat Lady," remember?). I think he would make a good, honorable, and healing mayor. I've not discussed with him his feelings about Thames, but I can only imagine that someone who loves USM as much as Col. Senne is grieving for our condition now.

As for the other candidates: I have been disappointed in Johnny DuPree, for whom I had great hopes; for years he had been a friend and a benefactor to my family. Still, I don't think the city has prospered under his leadership. Betsy Rowell is mean, and racially divisive (just ask your city councilman--unless it's Ms. Rowell!). Lee Jarrell Davis is a statesman of distinction, but his support for Shelby and the bond issue drives me away from him. He had no hesitation in declaring--from the steps of the Dome--a "pro-USM" administration. I have always voted for him before, but I cannot now.

So: It's Col. Senne for me. Anyway, that's one fired administrator's opinion.

GH, EB & Politico,

Sorry, but you're wrong, but for people who are probably, at best, on the fringe of what's happening in Hattiesburg politics you are somewhat convincing. 

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Originally posted by: Stanley Hauer
"I am going to vote for David Senne for mayor. Most of you may not have heard of David because he's agreed to run his campaign without outside funds. That's typical of his sense of honor. I came to know Senne when he was chair for several years of our Army ROTC department when I was associate dean of Liberal Arts. Col. Senne was among the best--and I mean among the three or four best--department chairs in my 20 years in office. When he retired he became director of the Pine Belt Airport and brought that failing institution into solvency. He also volunteered--volunteered, mind--to become a USM recruiter, but we turned him down because he was "too old." (I know, because I was on the search committee.) His wife is a well-known philanthropist in town (= "the Cat Lady," remember?). I think he would make a good, honorable, and healing mayor. I've not discussed with him his feelings about Thames, but I can only imagine that someone who loves USM as much as Col. Senne is grieving for our condition now. As for the other candidates: I have been disappointed in Johnny DuPree, for whom I had great hopes; for years he had been a friend and a benefactor to my family. Still, I don't think the city has prospered under his leadership. Betsy Rowell is mean, and racially divisive (just ask your city councilman--unless it's Ms. Rowell!). Lee Jarrell Davis is a statesman of distinction, but his support for Shelby and the bond issue drives me away from him. He had no hesitation in declaring--from the steps of the Dome--a "pro-USM" administration. I have always voted for him before, but I cannot now. So: It's Col. Senne for me. Anyway, that's one fired administrator's opinion."

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We digress from our focus of getting Thames out of the presidency, so this will be my last post on the mayor's race.  I wouldn't even bother if the only outcome here would be to prove KRCousin wrong.  I fear the outcome would be much worse if LJDavis is elected mayor and SFT continues as president.  

Thames wants Davis in the mayor's office because Davis is no intellect and will likely buy whatever load of manure Thames feeds him.  Betsy Rowell is a strong-willed woman (Shelby's least favorite type) who will not be pushed around.  Word around town has it that Shelby TOLD Rowell he would not support her.

Kenneth Fairley and the mayor are encouraging the black community to vote for Davis in the Republican primary because they think he's weaker opposition than Rowell.  If this happens, and if the Independent is correct in its recent story about a rift between the mayor and Percy Watson, that could bring yet more votes for Davis.  He, I fear, would be a Shelby clone.

Bobby Chain commissioned a poll a while back, checking a handful of candidates for name recognition/ability to defeat the mayor, and Rowell came out on top.

The mayor is a good man, but Hattiesburg has suffered under his leadership.  Word has it that some of his skeletons are about to come out of the closet.  A small example:  When he was renovating his home on Main St. he was sent a bill by a prominent local contractor for work done at the residence.  Rumor has it that he returned the invoice, unpaid, with a note along the lines of thanks for the contribution.  Maybe this is true, maybe it's not.  I mention it only to indicate that things could start getting ugly. 

Cousin would be well served to refrain from insulting other posters and suggesting that they're on the fringe, particularly when he doesn't even know their identities.  And all of us would be well served to better inform ourselves about what's been going on at City Hall and who is the best candidate to get us back on course.

Folks,

It's all about politics. SFT and Co. have proven that. If I lived in Hattiesburg, I'd probably vote for Senne because I happen to truly believe that he (and his wife) are natural leaders with the constituency at heart. I don't think he "owes" SFT a thing and has proven himself to be articulate, accurate, and productive with all citizens' best interests at heart. I also happen to like Davis because he would not allow Thames to browbeat him. Suspicious of Rowell , although maybe I'm wrong. The other guy Davis? Give me a break. After the infamous Paving meeting keeping press and faculty out - I will never take the higher ground again and not believe that the good ole' boy system in Hattiesburg is alive and well and ready to decimate academia.

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Originally posted by: Bob Dog
"Let's not forget about Shawn O' Hara. I read in today's Advertiser News where, if elected, Shawn's going to shake up the system by increasing the size of traffic lights and giving parents with children in the Hattiesburg School district $5,000 vouchers to attend the schools of their choice."

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