Dear Editor,

Vicksburg deserves better leadership than what we’ve seen from Mayor Flaggs and Alderman Monsour. For years, these career politicians have made the same promises, only to fall back on the same excuses when real change fails to materialize. It’s clear they’ve grown too comfortable in their positions, and it’s time for us, the voters, to hold them accountable.

Both Mayor Flaggs and Alderman Monsour have claimed that there is no crime in Vicksburg because crimes are being solved. But solving a crime after it happens doesn’t erase the fact that it’s still being committed. Our neighborhoods continue to suffer from ongoing criminal activity, and residents don’t feel any safer. Alderman Monsour touts the installation of 267 cameras around the city as a solution, yet drug deals still happen openly at the store on my corner—right across from a camera. If these cameras are supposed to deter crime, who is actually monitoring them? What good are these measures if they don’t result in real, visible improvements?

Nothing has changed under their watch. Instead of working together with the community and city staff to find solutions, Mayor Flaggs and Alderman Monsour focus on taking individual credit. Every time they talk about progress, it’s “I did this” or “I did that.” But running a city is not a one-man show. It takes teamwork, collaboration, and a willingness to listen to the people you serve. Our city’s challenges are too great for leaders who are more interested in self-promotion than in real results.

We need leaders who will roll up their sleeves, work together, and put the needs of Vicksburg residents first. Ward 2 deserves representatives who are accountable, proactive, and truly committed to making our city safer and stronger. Let’s not let Mayor Flaggs and Alderman Monsour sit comfortably any longer. It’s time to support new candidates who will bring the leadership, teamwork, and change that Vicksburg needs.

Sincerely,

Lori May

Vicksburg, MS