Jackson Free Press

This statement came from the Barrett-Simon camp last night. Reprinted verbatim:

Margaret Barrett-Simon will officially enter the special election for Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi on Monday, with a statement to be delivered at City Hall at 1 pm. The general public is invited, as well as members of the media. Barrett-Simon, who has represented Ward 7 for the last 29 years, will deliver the statement below and then take questions from the media.

---

None of us would have chosen the sad circumstances in which we find ourselves today. With the passing of Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, we now find ourselves at a crossroads. I believe that Jackson needs a progressive, forward-thinking mayor who will work for the entire city, and who will continue the good work that Mayor Lumumba started.

Our city needs a mayor who has a proven record of working with people from all over this city, from all walks of life. We need a combination of experienced leadership and the willingness and ability to innovate and think outside the box.

Most importantly, we need to move forward as one city, with the understanding that we are truly all on the same team. The time of petty politics and turf battles are over. I call on the other candidates in this race – most of whom I know and respect, and with whom I have worked in the past – to join me in a constructive dialogue that puts the people of Jackson first.

I believe that the best days of this city are still ahead of us. We are going to build upon the real progress made over the last few years by the many great men and women who have served this city. We are going to tackle the infrastructure challenges that this city faces, as well as the opportunities for economic development that will benefit us all. We are going to make Jackson a safer city for all of its citizens. We are going to continue our work to get our fiscal house in order.

We must do all of this with the understanding that every part of our city… every neighborhood… every business… and every person is equally important. We are all Jacksonians… we are all connected, and we each bring a part of the solution to the table.

I’m grateful for the opportunity that I have had to serve Ward 7 for the last 29 years, and I look forward to this new, exciting chapter in the future of Jackson. I will consider it the greatest blessing of a career that has been filled with blessings, if you choose me as your Mayor.