Bailey: Dr. Barbara A. Wilson (aunt), Chancellor Vicki R. Barnes, and Sen. Hillary R. Clinton: These three ladies display and possess knowledge, wisdom, integrity and strong character. They all work to improve and enhance the quality of life for their families and society as a whole. Dr. Barbara A. Wilson, a professor at Jackson State University and cancer research scientist, came back to Mississippi in order to help others fulfill their dreams and aspirations of entering the field of medicine. Chancellor Vicki R. Barnes, an advocate for children, constantly strives to improve and enhance the quality of life for individuals and their families. Sen. Hillary R. Clinton, former first lady and a true humanitarian, has always worked to improve the quality of life for all people in the United States of America. In the face of adversity, I have seen these strong women persevere through adverse conditions not wavering nor complaining. They held steadfast and unmovable, until they achieved their cause. In my opinion, these are women of virtue.

Beauman: In politics, it would be Kirk Fordice and Don Miller. They both put aside their businesses for a time and showed that city and state governments could be and should be run like a business. In sports, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Mark McGwire because they have given back to the communities that supported them. In life, my parents. They taught me respect, discipline, love and most of all about God. They taught by example and I have striven to do the same.

Johnson: As a deeply religious person, I hold God above all other role players in the world around me. Next to the Good Lord, I hold my father in high esteem. He is a strong man who has set a positive example for me during the 35 years of my life. He has also taught me how to be strong and to give a purpose to my life. He just recently retired after 35 years of work at Cooper Lighting. He taught me never to bow down to anyone and to always stand up for what is right. He has also taught me that if I cannot help another person in some way, then something is seriously wrong. Oprah Winfrey has become a good friend and role model for me also. She has taught me to reach for the moon and to grab it when it comes within grasping range.

Mosley: Max Cleland, Democratic senator from Georgia, handicapable from the Vietnam war; John McCain, Republican senator, former POW from the Vietnam war; Muhammad Ali, Cassius Clay, former boxer, peace advocate; Billy Graham, evangelist, needs no explanation.

Question 15: Looking back four years from now, what do you hope to be able to say that you and your fellow city board members accomplished?

Bailey: A better quality of life for the people in Vicksburg, a solid infrastructure to build on and a sense of pride in all the residents.

Beauman: That we brought Vicksburg from “potential” to “reality.” As VHS baseball coach Jamie Creel said, “I hate potential because it means you have done nothing yet.” I would hope that in four years we can say, “We have realized and worked to our potential.”

Johnson: After four years as Vicksburg alderwoman, I hope to say that I brought beauty to the city, that I helped the elderly and the suffering people among us. Young people will know that I fought hard and successfully to provide for their needs in terms of recreation and economic assistance. I will point to the streets and roads inside the city that I was instrumental in getting paved. I hope that I will be able to point to a vast number of new businesses that I either encouraged or attracted to set up in Vicksburg. I hope to be able to refer to the rodeos, great stage plays, concerts and even locally produced films all of which I had a part in setting in motion and seeing in a completed stage.

Mosley: That we (not just city board members, but the entire city and county) changed this limited responsibility government for the better and insured the future for our descendants.