Dear editor,
The city of Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen continue to surprise us with policies regulations and projects that are not the concern of their constituents’. The Administration has raised minor fees and added more regulations, while not solving any issue seen or requested by their constituents. We are writing this letter because one of the businesses involved in the resort status revoke asked for a letter of support.
We agreed! The Vicksburg Branch NAACP believes the actions of the city of Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen are unfair to small businesses. To revoke resort status and requiring businesses to stop serving liquor at 2am, except for casinos is unfair. The policy says on its face that the city’s administration favors and respects only the wealthiest. We looked at 911 calls from all of 2014 for the parties involved. The reports showed no major difference between the Lounges or Night Clubs. But, the casinos did have a significant increase in 911 calls (particularly Ameristar). This explains why the Administration did not use the nuisance ordinance.
The Vicksburg Branch NAACP asks that the city of Vicksburg’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen revisit their decision to revoke some businesses resort status. We believe laws and regulations should be the same for all people and businesses.
John Shorter
President Vicksburg Branch NAACP