(left to right: Jeffrey George, Deborah Delgado, Mayor Toby Barker, Carter Carroll, Mary Dryden, and Nick Brown)
Hattiesburg Mississippi is the 4th biggest city in Mississippi, yet it's one of the most powerful cities and sometimes commands the biggest revenue in the state. Like any business, the business of running the city's business is ran by the mayor but guided by only a 5 member board, who together controls the purse (the money) the policy (laws) and the prestige.
The council decides on granting the mayor authorization to execute contracts and agreements, pay raises, and even what events can or cannot take place within the City of Hattiesburg. The Council also decides who can build what within the city limits.
Every major decision about the City of Hattiesburg comes through the city council. It's like the congress of the local city. The council is so powerful, it can literally fire any city employee at will if the council looses 'confidence' in a person.
Currently, Hattiesburg City Council is lead by Carter Carroll, controlling the board for the second time (2002-07) as Board President. Other board members include Jeffrey George (Ward 1) Deborah Delgado (Ward 2) Mary Dryden (Ward 4) and Nick Brown (Ward5).
Every 4 years, the city hold elections to allow the community to decide who it wants to speak for their interest in the decisions of how Hattiesburg is governed. That means all 5 seats are always up for grabs by practically anyone who wants it every 4 years.
This year serves as no difference. All 5 current board members are seeking re-election. All 5 members have opponents, other community members who are seeking to take their seat beginning July 1.
Hattiesburg is broken up into 5 communities. Each community is known as what's called a "Ward." Whatever person have the majority of the votes are known as that ward's councilman or councilwoman.
In Ward 1, Jeffery George is seeking reelection. He was first elected in 2017. His challenger is Ken Chambers, who was recently appointed as a member of the Hattiesburg Police Review Board, to review the police and its conduct.
In Ward 2, Deborah Delgado is seeking reelection. She has humbly served since 2001 as a councilwoman. Many see her as an effective leader fighting for equality. She is challenged by Cedric Dallas and Charlie Johnson. Neither of the two has ever held a public office nor served on a company's board prior to now.
In Ward 3, Carter Carroll is seeking reelection. Carroll is currently the president of the board. He's the longest serving member on the board. He's been on the board since the 90's. His challenger is football Hall of Famer Picasso Nelson. Nelson is the senior pastor of 28th Ave Baptist Church, a diverse church in range of race and age. He's their first African American Pastor. He's also has an extensive business portfolio including a vast list of real estate properties.
In Ward 4, Mary Dryden is seeking reelection. Dryden has served almost a decade on the board. Her challenger is former mayoral candidate Dave Ware. Ware gave up his seat to run against DuPree in which Ware was defeated. Dryden ran in Ware's position and replaced him.
In Ward 5, Nick Brown is seeking reelection. Brown is currently finishing his first term on the Board. His challenger is Howard Toler. Toler has never held public office or served on a company's board before seeking to represent Ward 5. Brown owns a trucking and landscaping company.
The board, officially known as Hattiesburg's City Council, is a 5 member board that has seen diversity. The honorable Charles Lawrence along with Dr. Eddie Holloway were the first African Americans elected to the board. The board currently has 2 women, Dryden and Delgado, and two blacks, Delgado and Brown.
Although 52% of the citizens of Hattiesburg, Mississippi are African American and 40% are white, there has never been 3 African Americans serving on the board at the same, which would give African Americans control of the Board for the first time in the city's history, which is possible if either Picasso or Chambers wins.
The city did however elect its first and only African American mayor, Dr. Johnny DuPree in 2001.
For more information about The City of Hattiesburg's City Council, you may visit the city of Hattiesburg's official website: www.hattiesburgms.com or call city council office: 601.545.4551.
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