Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

By Pastor Vance A. Price

By definition, a mayor is the chief executive official of a town, village or city. This office and title are so unique, that there is no synonym, metonym, or any other word that is equivalent to the word mayor. The uniqueness of this word suggests that anyone who fills this office or wears the title must reflect such a uniqueness from within. The qualities of a mayor go beyond accomplishments than can be listed on a resume, or words that are engraved upon a plaque that will hand on a wall. It takes more than an elaborate introduction that emanates from the lips of an audacious orator that possess an inexhaustible command of the English language. The essence of what a mayor is, can be found in the words of the late Bob Marley, "The greatness of a man (woman) is not how much wealth he (she) acquires, but in his (her) integrity and ability to affect those around him (her) positively." The decisions of a mayor cannot be solely predicated upon how those decisions affect those in their political party, race, or administration. But how those decisions affect the people they have been sworn to lead to the best of their ability. A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. These are aspects and attributes that are embodied in the leadership of Mayor James "Jamie" Mayo. This man has exemplified these characteristics, even before he took on the title, Mayor of the City of Monroe. President John F. Kennedy said, "A man does what he must, in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures, and that is the basis of all human morality." As a native son of Monroe, I have seen many greats grace City Hall. I met Mayor Jack Howard when he would come and sit in my grandfather's living room to talk. I met Mayor Bob Powell when he would come to the minister union meetings during election seasons. I was able to cast my vote for the first African American Mayor of the City of Monroe, Mayor Abe Pierce. I was also privileged to meet Mayor John Rambin. Out of all these mayors, Mayor Mayo has impacted our city in unimaginable ways. His commitment to our city has gone beyond the party, racial, and cultural differences that plague cities across the country. Despite the criticism, Mayor Mayo has consistently provided quality leadership. In the words of former First Lady Michelle Obama, "When they go low, we go high." If our country had a Mount Rushmore of Mayors, there would Maynard Jackson, of Atlanta, Tom Bradley of Los Angeles, Andrew Young of Atlanta, Marc Morial of New Orleans and James E. Mayo of Monroe. As a community and city, it would be an injustice to history of our ancestry and an insult to our descendant to allow proven leadership to be replaced at such a critical and challenging time.

Photo Pastor Vance A. Price & Mayor Jamie Mayo