Mississippi town repeals anti-discrimination resolution in secret
Source: MSNBC
Just a few weeks ago, the town of Starkville, Mississippi, was being praised nationally as a surprising example of progress in the South. Starkville is home to Mississippi State University, where the football teams amazing run this season capped off a period of cultural and civic transformation for the town itself. As the New York Times noted in November, Starkville had even passed an anti-discrimination resolution that included sexual orientation and identity.
Starkville was the first place in Mississippi to take that step, in January 2014. Their aldermen led the way for other cities in the state to debate and pass resolutions of their own. In September, Starkville added a policy that extended health benefits to domestic partners of city employees. After that second move, the pressure from local religious leaders to overturn those decisions to move the policies and positions for this city back to a Judeo-Christian position, as one pastor told the board began immediately.
On Tuesday, in a closed-door executive session, the Starkville alderman voted to repeal both the new anti-discrimination statement and the policy providing health benefits for same-sex couples. Mayor Parker Wiseman says the aldermen behind the repeal provided no notice that they intended to hold those votes or any explanation for doing so. A local paper, the Columbus Dispatch, cant even be sure which alderman voted which way:
City attorney Chris Latimer advised staff to not disclose how individual aldermen voted Tuesday. It is assumed, however, that the same two aldermen who fought for the plus-one insurance extension Ward 4s Jason Walker and Ward 5s Scott Maynard again voted to keep the policies on the books Tuesday as they confirmed their stances on the issue have not changed.
Read more: http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/mississippi-town-repeals-anti-discrimination-resolution-secret
Wiseman can still veto this measure (and has vowed to), but if the aldermen vote 5-2 again they can override it.
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)Assholes.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)There are a lot of conservatives who are fundamentally decent but misguided people. None of them are aldermen in Starkville. There's a whole side story about how they tried to depose Wiseman two years ago.
Parker Wiseman, btw, is both young and awesome, and is not going to limit his political work to Starkville. Watch for that name in the future.
world wide wally
(21,744 posts)Idiots!
How did they get law degrees anyway?
SunSeeker
(51,574 posts)DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)Alabama Town Now Owned By God. God To Flip It To Ganesh, Make Bank.
- Whereas we acknowledge God is the owner of the City of Winfield and that it is a City under God. We acknowledge that at all times, He is in control.
Whereas, we acknowledge that through His leadership, the Mayor and City Council will seek his wisdom and knowledge to be good stewards of the city.
Whereas, we acknowledge that though prayer, with His guidance and presence, that we will be able to trust that no problem will be too large or too small to overcome.
Whereas, we acknowledge that the City of Winfield is where it is today because of Gods grace and mercy.
Whereas, we acknowledge that at all times and in all circumstances, His will shall be done.
Whereas, we acknowledge that to God be the glory.
K&R
No forin gods, or gods with weird names, or other non-masculine forms of G O D are allowed......
riversedge
(70,245 posts)riversedge
(70,245 posts)Kelvin Mace
(17,469 posts)If they refuse to name names, then the only logical assumption is that they all voted to repeal.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)Which is why they are so pissed right now. The question is whether Wynn or Vaughn would join them to uphold a veto.
SansACause
(520 posts)This whole "caring about people" thing is an affront to Mississippi Christians. That's why the devout Governor of the state refused the Medicaid expansion. It's not what Jesus would want.
ck4829
(35,077 posts)Recursion
(56,582 posts)The gauntlet is thrown down. Vetoes cannot be overridden in an executive session, so the votes will have to be on the record.
http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/node/19618