Mayor’s Row…..by Ned Mitchell

          We hope you had a great Easter Sunday and that you were able to enjoy the time spent with friends and family.  We got the chance to eat three meals in about a 6 hour time span so a nap was in order early Sunday evening!

          Since it was the Easter weekend and since I had not done so in a long time I thought this would be a great time for loyal readers to write the column for this week so here it is.

          Colby writes that it was a good thing that I won the Mayor’s race adding that “Sesser would surely internally combust if I ever got beat”

          Thanks Colby for that compliment but really cemeteries are just full of folks that thought they could not be replaced.  I work hard at making Sesser the really great city it is but so do a lot of other people and together we make this thing work.

          Gene writes that he was in a local saloon before the election and overheard a police officer from another town say “we need to beat Ned Mitchell so the town will be rid of this evil empire.”

          I’m not sure what to think of that Gene, I mean wasn’t the term evil empire used to describe some Star Wars stuff.  I’m not sure why a police officer from another nearby town would think it necessary for Sesser folks to listen to him, I mean after all, he does not live here or own property here.  I’d just guess he figured folks here don’t have the ability to think for themselves.  Having said all of that I wonder how a police officer can sit in a bar in another town and drink then think it is okay for him to get in his vehicle and drive home.  But it is good to know who your friends are!

          Betty questions why WSIL Channel 3 news described my win in Sesser as a narrow victory with 59 % percent of the vote but in Mt. Vernon where Mayor Chesley also won by 59% per cent of the vote it was called a landside and a big win. 

          Thanks Betty for pointing that out and about all I can say to that question is; sum it up to sloppy reporting which Channel 3 seems to have a patent on.  They may someday get it though; but don’t hold your breath waiting.  Channels 12, 6, and 8 also offer news so folks do have a choice in what they watch.

          Bill says he has heard that we are getting a grant to open up a bicycle shop since we are going to start arresting everyone in sight.

          Don’t worry Bill; we will continue enforcing drunken driving laws like we always have.  If you don’t drink and drive you have nothing to worry about.  Other than that though we are always trying to attract new businesses and if we ever get the bike trail connected from Sesser to Rend Lake it might be a strong possibility.

          James writes about his constitutional rights being violated but does not spell out which ones.

          Okay James, we have not violated your right to free speech obviously so that one is safe.  I can’t think of a single time we have ever violated anyone’s civil rights.  I am enough of a Democrat to not do that!  If you do feel like your civil rights have been violated by all means contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction.

          Leonard wants to know if we tow everybody’s car at will. 

          Well Leonard, you have to commit a crime involving your vehicle before we tow it.  Just about every town around has the same towing ordinance so it is not a Sesser exclusive.  True, we did lead the way in passing this ordinance before other towns did, but hey, we’re used to being out in front on issues.  Again, if you are not breaking the law, you have nothing to worry about!

          Sam wants to know what we are going to do different for the next four years.

          That’s a good question Sam and I would just say that we are going to continue the excellence but with a friendlier touch.  I can assure you we will treat you nice in so many different ways you are bound to like one of them!

          It is with a great amount of sadness that I must report to you the death of a great Sesser resident and loyal reader of this column, Mae Merkel.  Mae passed away last week at the age of 94.  She was one of the good ones of Sesser, never complained and always advised me on lots of things.  Even when Mae got to where she could not read this column she had someone read it to her.  She told me several times either in person or through a friend that I should say more about Sesser and less about politics.  That is good advice and probably I would have more friends today if I would have listened to Mae.  Some folks, especially politicians just don’t want to hear the truth!  Mae was a part of the fabric woven into the quilt of life that we all enjoy here in Sesser.  She will be missed!

          Happy belated birthday to my mom, Rose Mary who turned 90 on April 10th. 

          This weekend the Sesser-Valier Thespians will perform “Grease” at the historic Sesser Opera House.  The performances begin at 7:00 pm and tickets are available at the door.  Make plans to attend and enjoy a great show and support the youth involved in this production.  If you have a chance; come early and have a great meal.  The show runs Friday and Saturday night.

          Don’t forget to make some time to come out and see Gov. Pat Quinn on Saturday afternoon, April 25th at 2:00 pm.  We are fortunate that Gov. Quinn has chosen Sesser as the place to make his first visit to Franklin County.