Connect the Dots - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: May 5, 2005

Connect the Dots

Date: May 5, 2005

Mayor Dupree can put a sign in my yard any time. He is not necessarily my friend, but he is the enemy of SFT which is good enough for me.

Date: May 5, 2005

Seeker,

Do you live in Richmond or are in the counties of either Henrico or Chesterfield, or maybe Hanover? Also did you, or would you have if you lived in Richmond, vote for Doug Wilder?

Date: May 5, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Cossack
"Seeker, Do you live in Richmond or are in the counties of either Henrico or Chesterfield, or maybe Hanover? Also did you, or would you have if you lived in Richmond, vote for Doug Wilder?"

Excellent point Cossack. Wilder is cleaning up city corruption, reducing crime, bringing business to the city, etc. I too want to know how much of Seeker's and others anti-Dupree stance is because of his race rather than his record (the only complaints I see about Dupree's record are all rumors - no facts). For those who don't know: Doug Wilder was the first African American governor of Virginia and now is Richmond's mayor. He has never lost a political race that he entered and is a fiscal conservative and social progressive.

Date: May 5, 2005

I have known Johnny for many years and I think he is a good man. I voted for Johnny last election, but not this time. Pure and simple, Johnny is a victim of bad advice and it appears he continues to have confidence in the same advisors.

One example is the bond issue he proposed. I heard Johnny say on television that the bond issue would "get us out of debt" Someone has convinced Dupree that borrowing more money will help Hattiesburg financially. It is impossible to borrow yourself out of debt..

Good many in the wrong job

Date: May 5, 2005

I too voted for DuPree the last time, but not this time and it has nothing to do with race. It has to do with the total deterioration of a wide range of city services. I am not just talking about the pathetic state of the streets, but the attitude that I have encountered when I turned to City Hall for assistance; to the lack of reliablilty of the sanitation department; to the unsightly rights of ways around town (in all neighborhoods) that have not been regularly tended to and mowed. I could go on and on. There are too many people out there willing to sacrifice our community because they perceive a vote for DuPree to be a vote against Thames. The two are not remotely related and Hattiesburg needs a true leader. Unfortunately, with the choices that are left kicking after the Republican pre-primary brawl, we will not have one for the next for years. I am considering a write-in vote - Donald Duck would be a better leader than any of the choices that we have left at the table.

Date: May 5, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Seeker
"Alright people....

After spending a few days in the Burg, I am not back in chilly Richmond.

Here are a few thinks that I learned:

As many of you earlier suspected LJD didn't not recieve the support of the Thames machine....they were in fact, powerful behind the scenes Rowell supporters. The Davis campaign has long known this according to my source inside the Davis campaign.

It appears the driving force behind this is Lawrance Warren. Mr. Warren's wife, is a very powerful king-maker in the ADP, who was responsible for Dvorak's move to that agency.

So, there is still an alternative to voting Hattiesburg into oblivion - LJD. I don't care who wins the GOP run-off, because I will vote for whoever runs against Dupree.

I heard a very funny story a couple of days ago. Mayor Dupree and Clemon Terrell were out going door to door just off of 31st ave last week. He knocked on one door, of one of Terrell's long-time friends and asked if he could put a sign in the yard. The individual say, reportely, in a very compassionate voice, "Mayor Dupree, I would have considered it in the past, but, NO NOT NOW.""

Seeker, for those of us who do not live in Hattiesburg, could you translate or explain the above? Thanks.

Date: May 5, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Cossack
"Seeker,

Do you live in Richmond or are in the counties of either Henrico or Chesterfield, or maybe Hanover? Also did you, or would you have if you lived in Richmond, vote for Doug Wilder?"

I say that I live in Richmond on this board, but technically I live in Glenn Allen. We are leasing an (over-priced) townhouse here in the 'burbs. Glenn Allen is in Henrico county. We are still registed to vote in H'burg, because we don't plan to be here but, maybe another 18 months or so....I've not gotten terribly into politics here.

From everything I can assertain concerning Doug Wilder, he's a man that gets things done. I've been impressed with him so far...Do I agree with Wilder 100% certainly not, but I do believe that he puts the citizens of Richmond 1st.

I will not attempt to compair Dupree to Wilder, there is no compairison.

To be honest I am quite insulted that you would ask me if Dupree's race has any influence on my vote. Dupree's race was not an issue for me when I voted for him four years ago, and will not be an issue when I vote against him this year.

Date: May 5, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Angeline
"Excellent point Cossack. Wilder is cleaning up city corruption, reducing crime, bringing business to the city, etc. I too want to know how much of Seeker's and others anti-Dupree stance is because of his race rather than his record (the only complaints I see about Dupree's record are all rumors - no facts). For those who don't know: Doug Wilder was the first African American governor of Virginia and now is Richmond's mayor. He has never lost a political race that he entered and is a fiscal conservative and social progressive."

Angeline

Dupre's race was not an issue when I supported him four years ago...nor will it be when I vote against him this year.

Date: May 5, 2005

Seeker, they wanted you to explain "NO, NOT NOW."

Date: May 5, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: LVN
"Seeker, they wanted you to explain "NO, NOT NOW.""

NO, NOT NOW was the Political Action Committee and movement that Dupree advisor Kenneth Fairly started last year. The purpose of this PAC was to defeat the Southern Miss Bond Issue.

It was successful, and it appears that some Southern Miss alums in H'burg have adopted the slogan, as an answer to Dupree when he asks for their votes.

Date: May 5, 2005

I think the USM alums you speak of have been beaten to the punch.

Earlier this year, a HHS football recruit was on the phone with a USM recruiter when the recruiter started pressuring the young man to come to USM. The young man reportedly replied, "No, not now."

Date: May 5, 2005

I suspect that was probably Kenneth Fairly's nephew that signed with Mississippi State.

Date: May 5, 2005

Bottom Line:

Rowell will perpetuate the division of the city into various socioeconomic groups, ethnic groups, whatever. That is what she is all about - can anyone deny that will be the result of her election?

Dupree - with warts and all - is still the better chance for a unified city because he has the capablility of getting all involved. Betsy will NEVER get all involved - much of Hattiesburg will forever hate her, for good or bad reasons, but it will happen. She will divide our city more than ever before, and some people do not mind that, but I think that is terrible! Davis is a FAR better choice than Rowell for the republican side of things, but I think she's going to win the "I saw her name and I'd vote for that name" vote. Issues don't matter at some point.

Rowell will mire this city in racial strife - you can take that to the bank. It WILL happen. It has already begun as a reaction to her ads. If she has specific problems with the police dept she can address those in a focused, professional way - not in a blanket, stupid way in the media.

Vote for who is left standing who can best do the job. That is NOT Betsy!

Date: May 5, 2005

Seeker,

I never mentioned race in my post. That was your conclusion. My question about Doug Wilder was based on the contentious election where there was a vocal anti Wilder contingent. As I recall, the race in Richmond was between two major Black candidates. Wilder was the reform candidate and you have portrayed the candidate you support for Hattiesburg as a reform candidate. You are being consistent.