In this newspaper's 150-year history, we've covered elected officials coming and going too many times to count.
But this year's city election was something entirely new.
The mayor and all but one alderman who sought another term was defeated. The desire for major change was clear as a two-term mayor ended up finishing third. The incumbent Ward 1 and Ward 2 aldermen didn't even make the runoff election.
The only board member returning is Ward 4 Alderwoman Elizabeth Thomas, who ran unopposed. It's worth noting that Thomas often found herself having a difference of opinion with the majority of the board. The fact that no one sought to challenge her, and that all of her peers (with the exception of Ward 3 Alderman Sir Johnathan Rucker who ran for mayor rather than seeking another term) were defeated suggests that many voters agreed with Thomas more often than not.
With so many new board members and a new mayor coming aboard at the same time, there are sure to be times when they're unsure about how to best serve the people who elected them. One thing they can always keep in mind is that they have an excellent example of what those voters do not want. That message has never been communicated so clearly in Yazoo City.
