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Blytheville needs leaders with integrity, honesty
To the editor:
Integrity and honesty are lacking with the city leaders of Blytheville.
If the tide of citizens leaving Blytheville and planning to leave is to be reversed, this city has to demand in strong numbers that their voices be heard ultimately and by every citizen who still lives here. Blytheville does not have the luxury of allowing pedantic individuals in governance to organize destructive regimes in order to honor themselves. The citizens of Blytheville have been ignored much too long.
Blytheville's conundrum is who can be trusted to answer to the public? Strong leadership is not the result of office memos and the lack of courtesy to citizens questioning problems that they may have, but it is the constant communication of authorities willing to disperse their cocky egos for the safety and prosperity of the citizens.
Anytime those in governance who seek to denigrate citizens trying to survive, they become tyrants. All city leaders should be truthful to the citizens that they serve and not ignore an area simply because their allegiance belongs to a particular group.
The idea of renaming Marguerite Street to Henton Drive was the idea of Maggie Murphy, the first lady of United Spiritual Church. She is the wife of Elder John Murphy, who is the pastor. Ms. Murphy collected over 800 signatures from interested Blythevillians and they were then given to Mayor James Sanders.
The necessary procedures were followed before it was given to the City Council for a final vote: One, a public hearing by the planning commission to give citizens the opportunity to speak for or against the proposal. Certified letters were sent to all the homeowners who live on Marguerite Street and door hangers were left on their door by the city code enforcer, informing them of the public hearing, which was also published in the Blytheville Courier. Two, the Planning Commission voted 3-1 in favor of the change after the public hearing and moved to bring a motion before the City Council to rename Marguerite Street to Henton Drive after longtime educator Gene Henton.
A proposed ordinance must be read three times before the City Council can vote. First reading on the proposed ordinance that would rename Marguerite Street to Henton Drive in honor of longtime educator Gene Henton was read in its entirety. Despite abstentions, the proposed ordinance won a second reading with an affirmative vote from Mayor Sanders to make it happen. After the third reading, the council voted no to rename Marguerite Street to Henton Drive with one city councilman absent. There were two votes for and two votes against the proposed ordinance and one abstention. It takes four yes votes to pass a proposed ordinance.
When the City Council met in June, Councilman R.L. Jones asked the Council could he read a certified letter that Mr. Henton sent to all city council members, the mayor, city attorney and city clerk pertaining to the voting process on the proposed ordinance to rename Marguerite Street to Henton Drive. Mr. Henton requested the council to have a special meeting to vote on the ordinance when all council member were present. There were two yes votes and four no votes for the letter to be read.
While no one in our city wants to hear this, Blytheville is in a dilemma. With the upcoming election for mayor and city council, the question would be who can the citizens of Blytheville elect to a position who would not be biased or prejudiced when dealing with the city affairs?