Wyatt asking for support in mayor’s race

By Jerome Wyatt, To the Leader-Call

April 30, 2009 11:04 pm

— My decision to enter this race to become the next mayor of Laurel was made with a great deal of input from Laurel residents, my advisors and family, and with much prayer and reflection.
I enter this race because I have a vision for our great city ... a vision for a city in which we can all take pride. A vision for a city that is safe and clean, where there are good jobs and abundant opportunities, where our children are educated, and where future generations can say with pride that we did a good job protecting their future.
My plan for guiding our city is simple:
1 - develop a team approach to governing with the City Council
2 - create a city-wide Council of Neighborhoods
3 - build partnerships to create jobs
4 - upgrade city services
5 - encourage strong work ethic and pride from city employees
6 - energize city government
7 - create an atmosphere which restores pride in our great city
Pride is important in this city and its residents ... and to me. I say with pride that I am a graduate of Oak Park High School. That’s the education foundation I used to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University. That’s the same pride I have used to continue my education by taking technical, administrative, and professional classes.
Those classes have served me well in planning, programming and budgeting in my role as a current elected official and will be of value to me as your next mayor.
As a candidate for your mayor, I have the physical stamina, the motivation and drive, the ambition and enthusiasm, the leadership capacity and the endurance to effectively and proficiently manage the municipal organization of our great city.
Every aspect of my life in Laurel and Jones County, as well as my career, have led me to this moment ... the moment when I ask you and my fellow citizens to provide me the opportunity to serve you as your next mayor. I have worked in the public and private sectors. I have worked at the Mississippi Employment Security Commission, the Head Start Program in Laurel, and Delphi Automotive Systems here in Laurel.
The citizens of this great county have allowed me to serve 19-years on the Board of Supervisors ... and I thank them.
The experience from that endeavor will serve me well as your mayor.
Of all I have accomplished, I am exceedingly proud of the role I played in getting the Family Health Center moved and set up in it's own building ... providing adequate healthcare to those in need.
I have always been involved in civic activity. I have organized Optimist Clubs and have organize youth sports teams in the area. From organizations and private citizens, over the years, I have received many awards and recognition for my service.  And I thank the citizens of Laurel and Jones County for these accolades and acknowledgments.
As your mayor I plan to carefully and thoroughly review the city’s organizational chart to assure that Laurel is maximizing its resources in the Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works, Parks and Recreations, and all other departments. I will work to provide the best services possible to you -- our citizens -- and the best working conditions possible to our employees.
My wife Florine Barnes-Wyatt and I are the parents of two adult children, a son and a daughter. Our daughter, Nannette, is deceased. We are members of St. Paul United Methodist church in Laurel where I am the lay leader, former Church Council Chairperson, Sunday School teacher, and have held membership since childhood.
We have great trust in the voters of Laurel to support my candidacy based on my commitment, competency, integrity, credibility and character, along with my strength and leadership ability. I ask for your vote, and I pledge not to falter!

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