Way back in 1935 when Tip O’Neal lost the only election he was ever to lose, he made his famous statement that “Every election is local”.

So help me, you would have thought he was talking about Vicksburg’s charter of 1873. Even then it needed some updating.

Now we know why every politician since Washington has worked to convince and sell the voters on what they claimed was their dedication to “justice, fairness and honesty.”

You see, they’ve always known of our gullibility and naivety as we’ve struggled to select our leaders, hence the many failures we’ve experienced —such as the most recent in our last administration.

Or, if that doesn’t convince you of our gullibility, consider how we are now responsible for a nearly $20 trillion dollar debt that is being passed on to our grandchildren — by the very politicos we voted for at the federal level.

This time, I think we may have a winner in our current Mayor, George Flaggs Jr. Only time will bear this out — and always, as citizens, our planning must consider and look ahead to the next mayor and all future mayors.

Flaggs’ idea of a seven-member board is a good one.

It means that three members of the seven to be seated on the board must vote with the mayor to get a majority and thereby secure his wishes. That would certainly be much more democratic and better reflect the diversity of our city.

Additionally, all appointments to department heads must pass through the same seven-member board and mayoral vote.

Again, a four-member plurality decision by the board and Mayor would carry the day. Could the combined negative votes of four board members cancel out the mayor’s vote? Yes, they could and should, — because something must be seriously wrong with the proposal or individual if that should happen. Further discussion would certainly be called for.

Something that is never mentioned — and seems to be the elephant in the office of our administration and every administration of the past — is something called “nepotism.”

Again, the case against it was proven for all to see in our last administration.

Does anyone know how many city employees have relatives working for the city — in their department — or perhaps another department?

Should somebody know?

When it occurs, all three premises of “justice, fairness and honesty” are suspect. There needs to be a discussion and public airing of city policy on the matter.

So far, Mr. Mayor, your efforts on our behalf have pleased us — and given us hope for the future.

We have seen your fairness and honesty up close, and we appreciate it and want more. Vicksburg’s place in a troubled world is worrisome at best.

We dare not continue the mistakes of the past — because we simply can’t afford them. Our hope and trust for the future is in your hands.

You’ve made us hopeful for the future — and we are thankful to you for that. Now we have a glimmer of light at the end our tunnel.