Ellington

Why does your district need you right now?

The 5th district does not need me, personally. However, the district needs a representative who is willing to set aside personal differences to do what is best for every citizen of the district. The 5th district needs someone who can build and maintain a positive working relationship with other elected officials. It needs someone who is not ego driven and willing to put the people first, regardless of how difficult that task may be. I would like to be that representative.

Provide one or two examples of when you have been an advocate for your district in your personal or professional life. What was the result?

In personal circles, I have voiced concerns about the rapid deterioration of the district and the need for reinvesting in the district. Unfortunately, the results has not been positive. I think the reason for that is because I was preaching to the choir, so to speak. I believe that I have been approaching the issues the wrong way. That is why I decided to enter this race. I can no longer stand beside the water cooler complaining about the issues when I the passion, desire and commitment to address those issue. I also refuse to be apart of this or any other community 20 or 30 years before I decide to take action.

In the past year or so, what was the most important vote taken for your district? How would you have voted and why? What is the most pressing issue for your district?

The most important vote, in my opinion, was the decision to give control of the county’s emergency communications system to the state of Mississippi. I would have voted NO on this particular resolution. I would have done so because this is a state that still refuses to fully fund public education, refuses to accept federal funds to improve the state’s healthcare, and continuously cause undue hardship for minorities in this state by doing so. I could not, in good faith, jeopardize the safety and security of the citizens of Hinds County. I would have worked to find a way to keep control of that system as well as the revenue associated with it.

In my opinion, the most pressing issue in the 5th district is inadequate representation. After speaking with some of the residents in Terry and Utica, I found that a lot of them feel left out of the conversation regarding county business. A lot of them are reluctant to vote for a candidate who lives and working in a city such as Jackson or Clinton. They believe that the candidate would be more sympathetic to the city needs versus the rural areas.

If you could propose one piece of legislation that would greatly improve the quality of life for people in your district what would it be?

If I could propose one ordinance, it would be the rezoning of the county districts. After studying the current map of Hinds County, I believe that the citizens of Hinds County can be represented more adequately by doing so. I think that this is a matter that should be revisited and addressed in the future.

If you are unsuccessful in winning your race, how specifically will you continue working on behalf of your district?

If I am not elected, I plan to continue to encourage the citizens to become more involved in their government. I will continue encourage them to challenge whichever representative that is chosen. I will also continue to encourage the younger members of the district to become candidates in future political races.