Can West Memphis prosper under McClendon?

Can West Memphis prosper under McClendon?

By Michael Coulter

You know, Ralph, with all the hubbub going on over this recent mayoral election in West Memphis I think it is important to make a few observations.

First off, let’s all agree and admit that Marco McClendon is the new mayor of West Memphis.

Let me remind everyone that McClendon will be only the second black to serve in this position in the history of this county’s largest municipality.

Oh sure, there’s been a considerable amount of gossip going on, assumptions that McClendon will play the race card, divide this city, fulfill campaign promises by hiring his friends and buddies in key positions and fire a bunch of white, experienced employees.

Social media has been abuzz with such comments that this election is the final nail in the coffin for West Memphis and that this city will fall victim to poor government leadership, uncontrolled crime and sub par municipal services, run by nothing but blacks.

Listen Ralph, such talk and gossip is nothing more than mere speculation, destructive and troublesome when Mc-Clendon hasn’t even served his first day in office.

He’s already made it clear he will have Assistant Police Chief Eddie West as his new chief and he’ll appoint another black fireman as the new fire chief, which should come as any real surprise.

Throughout this campaign it was made clear in the beginning that there would be those among us making this a race issue between blacks and whites in West Memphis. And then, there is talk about McClendon’s qualifications and ability to run a multi million dollar operation effectively.

Some of what is being said may be found to be true in time but, as we've pointed out right after the election it is critical that we give this new mayor a fair chance to prove himself. If he fails let the criticism begin and if he succeeds let’s give him the praise he deserves.

The fact of the matter here Ralph is that the people of West Memphis had a choice in who their next mayor will be and they had an array of candidates to choose from, both black and white.

Where I have a serious issue with is those people among us who are flapping their jaws, making predictions as to doom and gloom of this city’s future. Realistically, the finger pointing in all this should go to the thousands of city voters who were just too damn lazy to get out and vote.

As we’ve discussed, Ralph, we estimated that there are about 15,000 registered voters in West Memphis and of them only a couple of thousand even bothered to participate in the election of this new mayor.

I find this apathetic and disgraceful knowing that the majority of West Memphis could actually care less.

With all this negative talk and gossip going around now about what will happen now that McClendon is the new mayor West Memphis let me say I have absolutely no sympathy for the citizens of this city if things don’t go well.

After all, these citizens didn't give a damn about who the next leaders will be so whatever occurs they have no one to blame but themselves.

Listen Ralph, I am a concerned resident of West Memphis and both my wife and I took the time to go vote which gives us the right to praise and well as criticize the way this new mayor will manage. Those fellow citizens who didn’t vote need to just keep their mouths shut and keep their worthless opinions to themselves.

For the sake of all of us, black or white, let’s hope Mc-Clendon does succeed because there is a lot at stake. Sure, he’ll make some mistakes, and sure, he doesn’t know everything about being mayor. But, if he’s got any smarts about him at all he’ll surround himself with people, both black and white, who do know what to do and have the experience necessary to make West Memphis better.

Oh, I know you think this is nothing more than pipe dreaming when there are those individuals in this city who want to create a race issue, want to stir up trouble and take advantage of the situation for personal purposes. I can certainly name a few some of whom will try to influence McClendon in a a negative way. These are the same troublemakers who were there before McClendon and they will be around long after he is gone, and as along as we can keep them at bay West Memphis will not only survive but prosper.