by Greg McLemore

To God be the Glory, and not my will but His be done.

I thank God for all his blessings, both seen and unseen, and pray his guidance in all the decisions I make as your elected official.

With that said, to my critics, I say “when was the last time you fought for the rights of the people,” or this city? This paper continues to marginalize any attempt I make to fight for jobs, tax relief or the rights of the people of our community.

Bonnie Raitt said in a song titled “Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About,” so if that’s what my critics want, then I’ll oblige them. However, the truth hurts.

In regards to being respectful, respect is a two-way street. As long as the members of council continue to be disrespectful to me, they can expect the exact same treatment in return.

The truth as I see it is that our city is dying and has been dying for some time now (before a McLemore) under the leadership that has been in place for well over a decade.

The last two accountants that joined that leadership promised accountability and transparency and have failed to deliver on either since their election.

Whether or not you choose to like me, or my style, the fact is that I’m fighting for right. I’m a warrior, and there is a war being waged against the people by the government, to strip the people of their money with taxes/fees and their rights with new laws and penalties.

Because I am a fighter, many choose to ridicule me, well so be it. The Southern Confederacy fought to preserve its rights and you salute the Confederate flag and their dead. Andrew Jackson massacred the Native Americans and he was promoted to the Presidency. George W. Bush declared shock and awe killing thousands of civilians, and America basically said “Go George.”

Americans love a man who will fight to protect their rights, unless you happen to be an African American. Well I am an African American male, the only African American male on city council, and no one up there can see through the eyes of an African American male in America.

Charlton Heston said, “The only way you’ll take my gun away is to pry it from my cold dead hands.” Patrick Henry said, “Give me liberty or give me death.”

I say the only way you’ll stop me from fighting for the people with a Council (except Ward 6 Don Blythe) that refuses to put the people who elected them ahead of the city that pays them, is to bring a halt to a renegade mayor, remove self-serving, closed minded council members.

Perhaps my critics would prefer to elect someone who is passive and controllable, who will stay in their place and be quiet.

That’s not Greg McLemore, and I refuse to be an elected official like that.

While I fight to stop the city from taking poor people’s homes, tearing down churches, disenfranchising voters, poor recreation and academic education for our children, Navy encroachment on our neighbors while destroying our attraction for new economic development, lower utility bills, eliminate city stickers, unfair fees and taxes, and lack of vision by our leadership.

All my critics can say is he’s embarrassing us; after 15 years of dysfunctional leadership, our status and utility bills should embarrass us all.

Well, after this article, perhaps some of those that purpose to support me will no longer offer that limited support because I refuse to lighten up and I will not be influenced to bow down to political pandering to secure a mayoral position in the future.

Regardless, as I said “not my will, but God’s be done,” including any mayor’s position that may or may not be my consideration. I refuse to stray from the path that demands a government of the people, for the people and by the people if someone’s feelings get hurt in the process.

I apologize for nothing, including choosing to not exercise the use of euphemisms to describe the actions or behavior of my fellow council members. I could choose to call a scaly vertebrate a reptile, but I chose to call it a snake.

In my book, anyone who attacks someone trying to help them is a dummy, and neglect to inform that person is more cruel than calling them one.

Watch the DVD and see who brought up the word “dummy” — not me.

Too long has the city been using its state granted power to rob the citizens of their earnings with taxes and fees that exceed what is needed to provide the services that are required. The city continues to exploit its power to pursue its agenda.

I have several mottos, my favorite being “the city didn’t hire me and the city can’t fire me. I work for the voters; you’re my boss.”

Another that is not original is “power to the people.” You shouldn’t have a problem with this one, unless you are not for the people.