Annexation is almost certain to be an issue facing the next council and mayor. It is obvious from the 1989 annexation that city officials had neither an effective plan nor adequate resources to provide services to the annexed areas on a par with taxes collected. I believe that people have a right to choose whether they want to live in the city or outside the city. Unless the city can show that there is a mutual advantage to the citizen and to the city, I would oppose forced annexation. The issue will likely come up again in the next four years.
Tupelo is a cosmopolitan city with many religious, social and moral customs.
Downtown parking shortages present a recurring problem, according to downtown merchants and professionals. Parking is available at the Coliseum and a shuttle service could be a possibility. Business owners could organize their own car pools to provide transportation to parking lots. I would give more time to this issue as I become more aware of the nature of the needs and possible solutions. Success is never determined by a single thing or a single person.