CLARKSDALE, Miss.–The mayor of Clarksdale says he wants a good relationship with the press and announced at Monday’s Board of Commissioners meeting that a special seating area has been set aside to make it easier for any publication, TV or radio station or social media platform to cover city government.
Mayor Chuck Espy acknowledged the city and press have not always gotten along, but said those problems are now in the past.
“The press is really here to also be a sunshine on what is happening in city government,” he said. “We try to respect the boundaries of the press and also do our job in government.”
Espy said he believes the Board and the press have the good of the people of Clarksdale as their shared goal, though jobs and methodology are different.
Also at the meeting, the Board heard a complaint from a resident who was angry because one of her dilapidated properties had been demolished by the city. Espy said that kind of work would continue at the demand of property owners and under city ordinances because people want to protect their property values.
“It’s one of those examples where the entire community has said enough is enough in my community,” he said. “There are gonna probably be about six, maybe eight additional properties very similar to this scenario that will be coming before this board. The board has some tough decisions to make.”