One of my favorite books of the Bible, Ecclesiastes, reminds us there is a season for everything.

During this season of reflection, some of us make New Year’s resolutions. We make promises to ourselves to stop or start doing something, preferably to start doing something good.

At the first of the year, some of the most popular discussions regarding resolutions include promises to make changes in our lifestyles which may be physical, spiritual, financial change or any combination. Seeking a healthy community, I encourage the citizens of Vicksburg to pursue healthy lifestyles and to revisit your commitment to doing good every day.

If you feel you need to make a New Year’s resolution to do these things, then that’s great. But, for the record, I don’t make resolutions, I set goals.

When I took the oath of office as mayor of the city of Vicksburg over three years ago, I set goals, not resolutions, to serve with honesty, integrity and transparency. To achieve these goals, I outlined a list of staggered accomplishments I wanted to implement.

You may remember I had a three-month, six-month and year-long published plan. Accomplishing and attaining these same goals are still just as important to me in 2017.

In order to perform effectively, we must take care of our spiritual as well as our physical bodies.

Therefore, in addition to the continuation of my professional goals, I set annual personal goals too. I reaffirm healthy living by consciously taking care of the whole man — mind, body and soul.

The very first thing I do every morning is to pray, read three of my favorite verses in the Bible and perform some type of exercise. Each year I personally decide to give up something that I enjoy doing as a habit for the entire year — I can’t tell you what it is, but trust me it’s a sacrifice.

This past weekend was great. There were many community activities to celebrate the 88th birthday of one of my spiritual mentors, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. There was a parade, a unity worship service and a community wide program.  Additionally, the city of Vicksburg unveiled an historical marker, honoring Mr. Frank Crump Jr., who was an educator, activist and champion for civil rights.

Now you ask what does all this have to do with resolutions or goals? I am glad you asked.  After attending all these events, I have added another goal to my list for 2017. I want to see more of the citizenry of Vicksburg participating and attending in these functions.

So this year, I will continue to pursue my professional and personal goals, but I will also strive to promote more community involvement, having a more racially balanced celebration for 2018.

I want the celebrations to represent the population of Vicksburg. Consequently, I am asking each citizen of Vicksburg to join me in this endeavor — I want to see all of the citizens at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. activities in the future.

As always, “I am who I am; I am what I am; and I am who and what I am, wherever I am.”
George Flaggs is the mayor of Vicksburg.