standing O downtown? - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Apr 25, 2005

standing O downtown?

Date: Apr 25, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: city hall
"There is a story circulating downtown that some on the City Council want to "affirm" the pro-SFT referendum that got a standing O in Jackson last week. Of course, Rowell wants it so she can again be out in public "for USM," reminding some voters of the role many believe Mayor Dupree played with the bond referendum. ... ."

Rowell's problem is not Dupree; it's the Republican primary that she must win in order to face Dupree in the general election. If she wants to appear pro-USM, it is to counter the efforts of Lee Jarrell Davis, who has identified himself as a staunch Southern Miss kind of guy. Rowell can pretty much write off the black vote after going on record that she will fire the police chief.

She was introduced to a group of USM faculty, staff and supporters a few weeks ago at 206 Front. Although she did not say anything against the USM administration, there could be no doubt about the overall tenor of the collective conversation.

Sometimes politics is about jumping on a bandwagon, and sometimes it is about staying below the radar. It'll be interesting to see who jumps and who ducks, if this silly commendation comes up at city council.

I wish we could get Joe Parker's read on this.

Date: Apr 25, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: ram
"Rowell's problem is not Dupree; it's the Republican primary that she must win in order to face Dupree in the general election. If she wants to appear pro-USM, it is to counter the efforts of Lee Jarrell Davis, who has identified himself as a staunch Southern Miss kind of guy. Rowell can pretty much write off the black vote after going on record that she will fire the police chief. She was introduced to a group of USM faculty, staff and supporters a few weeks ago at 206 Front. Although she did not say anything against the USM administration, there could be no doubt about the overall tenor of the collective conversation."

Pro-USM, or pro-SFT? The two are not interchangeable.

The University of Southern Mississippi needs to stay out of local politics. We are not the University of Hattiesburg. For weal or woe, we are directed by the IHL and SACS, not the mayor's office.

Local government making USM's administration into a political issue without demur from the dome suggests a SACS violation, as it represents undue outside influence. (And could someone please post a link to the SACS violations thread?)

Jameela