Four months ago when I received a call from City Council President DeKeither Stamps: “Are you running?” I was a surprised to learn that there would be a vacancy on Jackson City Council. After much discussion, thought, and prayer, Susan and I decided to put ourselves forward. Although my name is the one on the ballot, this was always a team effort. We knew that it would mean a significant sacrifice of time and money. Twelve years ago, we left good jobs in Atlanta to move back home to Jackson—in part to be close to family, and in part to make a difference in the hometown that we both love so much. We each have found ways to help our community over the last decade. For my part—as Advocacy Chair for the Mississippi March of Dimes, in addition to regular Board meetings and fundraisers, I periodically travel to DC to meet with our Mississippi Congressional Delegation in efforts to decrease infant mortality and increase the number of healthy babies in Mississippi; I am a Susan G. Komen “Pink Tie Guy” helping to raise awareness of breast cancer; I serve as Clerk of Session of Fondren Presbyterian Church; and I take great pride in my legal practice in fighting for my clients, sometimes at personal expense. For Susan’s part—I would have never imagined that the Junior League of Jackson would become such a stalwart in her life, but she loves it, including her time chairing Bargain Boutique; serving on the Board of the Very Special Arts; being a founding member of the Mississippi Industries for the Blind Foundation; and of course her discovery of animals that continue to find their way into our homestead. Then there was our daughter, Hays. Four years ago God brought us the greatest blessing in our lives. We have learned as much from her as we have taught her—the joy in things that had become ordinary for us; the love and wonder in the sky, the moon, the sun, the animals, the trees; the giving and empathetic nature that all of us as children were born with, and the uninhibited singing of “Let It Go.” It was so difficult to see what good God intended when I lost our hard-fought election contest for the Legislature three years ago; but the time that I have been able to grow with my daughter and wife over the last four years has been the most precious use of time that I have ever made. It is now easy for me to see what a gift God was giving me. I can’t wait to take Hays to Disney World for the first time this Saturday. There are a lot of princesses to dine with. That brings us to now. The most difficult question for me to respond to during this campaign is, “Why do you want to run?”—not because I don’t know the answer, but because it is so difficult to articulate. I know that the time commitments that I have made through the years—through schools, charities, churches, and yes, though Democratic politics—have now put me in a position where I have the relationships that can truly help Northeast Jackson, and my City. I know that my construction, business, and economic development experiences can be used at an important turning point in our City as we rebuild our roads and infrastructure. I know that God has provided me with talents that are best used in the political arena to help the greater good. I know that I can help bridge racial divides with a new generation of Jacksonians who are starting to laugh about the fact that we ever thought that we were so different from one another. I know that my passion can help advance awareness of how important public education is to all of us—regardless of whether you have children attending public schools. I know that we can build a successful middle school. I know that we can keep and grow our middle class. The struggles that we endure, and will continue to endure, are all part of the process of making us all better; and I know that God has good things planned for me, for my family, and for our City. Susan and I are ready to get to work. All we need for you to do is to go vote for us tomorrow, and we can make it happen. We hope to see you at the polls.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 04:42:31 +0000