My Daddy, Your Mayor

MY TOWN IS THE PLACE WHERE

MY HOUSE IS FOUND

BUSINESS IS LOCATED, AND 

WHERE MY VOTE IS CAST.

IT IS WHERE MY CHILDREN ARE

EDUCATED, AND WHERE MY LIFE IS.

MY TOWN HAS A RIGHT TO MY CIVIC LOYALTY,

IT SUPPORTS ME AND I SHOULD SUPPORT IT.

MY TOWN WANTS MY CITIZENSHIP,

NOT MY PARTISANSHIP.

MY FRIENDLINESS NOT MY DISSENSION.

MY SYMPATHY, NOT MY CRITICISM.

MY INTELLIGENCE NOT MY INDIFFERENCE.

MY TOWN SUPPLIES ME WITH PROTECTION,

TRADE, FRIENDS, EDUCATION,

SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, AND THE RIGHT TO

FREE MORAL CITIZENSHIP.

IT HAS SOME THINGS BETTER THAN OTHERS.

THE BEST THINGS I SHOULD SEE TO MAKE BETTER.

THE WORST THINGS I SHOULD HELP TO SUPPRESS.

TAKE IT ALL-IN-ALL,

IT IS MY TOWN

AND IT IS ENTITLED TO THE BEST THERE IS IN ME.
                                                                                                                          Circa 1938

This has been sitting on a table in my parents house ever since my daddy became mayor. I'm sure he has read this more than once since it sits by family photos. My daddy loves this town and the people who live here. This last few week this town has been in an uproar about alcohol ( for you out of towners, we just voted our county/city to be wet). You see, up until my daddy was about seven, he lived in a  house where alcohol played a big part in his family. He saw what it could do, and he never wanted this for his family. We never had alcohol in our home while I was growing up. I never thought much of it really. When I got married and moved away, I guess you're exposed to a lot of things you don't have in a small town. I can remember when a radio station would get great ratings they would have a get-together and bring out the chanpagne. I gotta tell ya, honestly, I don't like champagne or beer, but that's just me. Now when I was little and was sick, my grandmother would mix up some whiskey and rock candy and I did drink that, hum... does that count. Ha! Anyway, when our girls got married, at their receptions we served alcohol, wine and beer. They wanted to have their receptions held at our lake house, but we would not go along with it 'cause Iuka was a dry city. A good time was had by all whether you drink or not. To me, if that is what you wanna do then do it. I'm not gonna judge you, and you shouldn't judge me. I just wanna be your friend. I do worry about people drinking and driving though.            

So as my daddy cleans out his office this week, just know he loved being there for you. His day started around 8:30 and ended around 3:30,4:00, or 5:00. And this was a part-time position. He hated seeing people coming in whose water and gas was cut off during the coldest days of winter and the hottest days of summer. You may not know this, but he helped a lot of people out 'cause he knew what that was like.

He, too, wanted Iuka to grow so family could come home and find jobs here.  And he still does. He's gonna miss people stopping by just to say hi but not the cussin's he had to take. He gonna miss at Christmastime handing out turkeys to all city worker that he and the board members paid for themselves. The aldermen, alderwoman, and city workers were like extended family to him (us) and they worked well together.

Daddy said, yes this was a disappointment 'cause he would have liked 4 more years but the good Lord knows best. What our family has been through this last year is a Loss, this was just a Disappointment.

There is a sign on my daddy's desk at city hall that sum this all up.

                                                        Some Days You're the Dog

and Some Days You're the Hydrant.


Dear Lord,
Thank you for my daddy. You know when I was younger I may not have listened to his every word but I did watch his ever move. As our town makes a change, I pray we will remember that children don't always listen but they are always watching us, as you are. Be with my mama and daddy as they start a new journey. May you lead, guide and direct us all and Bless the Elected City Officials. Amen.