Two candidates in the McComb mayoral race agreed Tuesday that the city’s special charter needs to be eliminated, but their overall visions are very different.
Incumbent Mayor Quordiniah Lockley and former Mayor Zach Patterson discussed their ideas at a forum for candidates in the May 3 Democratic primary. Ward 4 Selectman Shawn Williams, the other Democratic mayoral candidate, didn’t attend.
Candidates for selectman who participated in the forum at the McComb Sports Park were Lynn Martin in Ward 2, Ward 3 incumbent Devante Johnson, Ward 5 incumbent Ronnie Brock and selectman at-large candidates Monica Dillon and Tabitha Felder Isaac. An estimated 75-100 listeners were on hand.
Patterson, the mayor from 2007-2011, said he was for getting rid of the special charter and mentioned the possibility of having a citywide vote to make it happen.
“The special charter needs to go,” he said. “There are no clear lines of authority. There are no clear lines of responsibility and the buck stops everywhere. We’ve got to get rid of this antiquated form of government that was more designed for businessmen in McComb to govern.”
Patterson said the mayor should have veto power and made a proposal about scrapping the charter.
“So here’s my promise again to you,” he said. “If you will join with me to change this form of government to a co-charter form of government, where there are clear lines of authority legislatively, I promise you the day you do that I will not run for mayor again and I will resign as mayor that day.”
Lockley mentioned other possibilities of government, including strong-mayor and weak-mayor systems.
He said he talked about trying to get rid of McComb’s special charter during his first term in office.
“I, too, support moving from this antiquated system of government,” Lockley said. “I even advocated that earlier about a year, year and a half ago that we needed to change the form of government. Clearly, I agree with former Mayor Patterson. The lines are so blurred that the duties and responsibilities are not clear and everybody’s doing what they want to do.”
Building a new juvenile detention center, city finances, engaging more with the Hispanic community and improving communication with residents were some of the other issues candidates discussed.
Lockley highlighted his accomplishments since taking office.
He said he guided recovery efforts after two tornadoes, Hurricane Ida and an ice storm.
He said the city has invested more than $11 million in infrastructure the past four years, is rebuilding a gym at the Martin Luther King Center, rehabilitating the Alpha Center and railroad depot, and has purchased a new fire engine, police cars and public works equipment.
Lockley also said there has been a rebirth of the Iron Horse Music & Heritage Festival and Summit Street Unity Festival since he became mayor.
He said he has established cleanups in wards, started an Adopt-a-Street program, organized the city’s first Mardi Gras parade, designated an Arts and Entertainment District, invested more than $500,000 in improving parks and addressed crime issues.
Lockley said he wants to focus on gun violence and finish projects that he has started.
“There are so many things that I have started that I would like to see completed, but anytime you talk about McComb, you must talk about economic development,” he said.
Lockley said he has pushed for re-establishment of the downtown district to help economic development.
Patterson said his focus is “crime, crime and crime.”
“All those other things that the mayor talked about, economic development and all those things, things for the children to do, parks, all those things are moot,” he said.
Patterson said he would focus on peace, security and safety as a way to accomplish other things.
He said he did not have to worry about drive-by shootings while growing up on Summit Street.
After addressing crime problems, Patterson said he would address issues such as finances and lawsuits. He hopes to get the city’s finances in order and noted there have been several lawsuits during Lockley’s tenure as mayor.
Dillon talked about restoring faith in community leaders.
Felder-Isaac said she hopes to attract new companies and create social programs for the youth.
Brock mentioned the idea of a buyback program for guns to lower crime.
Johnson also talked about the need to lower crime rates, along with investments that have already been made the past four years to better the community.
He specifically mentioned the rebuilding of the Martin Luther King Center gym and improvements to parks as examples.
