Two city aldermen reflected on their time in office as they stepped down Monday afternoon for the new city council to be installed.
Aldermen Dr. Jack Varner and Gregory Robertson thanked the citizens for supporting them during their tenure. And they stressed that they will remain in the community, willing to help make the city a great place to live and work.
Varner has served as Ward 2 alderman for over two decades, with six consecutive terms.
“The people of Yazoo City have embraced me, made me feel like I belong, and that I am home,” Varner said, during the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting. “I am very appreciative to the people.”
Varner has worked under four mayors, including Hugh McGraw, Wardell Leach, McArthur Straughter and Diane Delaware.
“All were different leadership styles, but they all got the job done in a very quality way,” Varner said. “All of them always had the love of Yazoo City in their hearts. The aldermen, some good and some controversial; I don’t mean to grade the aldermen. If I grade them, they could come back and grade me. That would be a grade that I wouldn’t want to see.”
For close to 23 years, Varner said the city of Yazoo City has managed its funds well, maintaining a balanced budget.
“We have watched our money, spent it well, accounted for every dollar we have ever spent,” he said. “We have been very comfortable with your tax dollars.”
Varner added that he is most proud of the Wardell Leach Recreational Complex and the Willie Morris Parkway, two inclusions that will continue to push Yazoo City forward.
“The complex is bought and paid for,” Varner said. “Any town in Mississippi would love to have a complex of that quality. It is a great institution for the betterment of physical education for our children.”
Varner said the newly completed parkway will serve as a great source of income for the community.
“I have a list of fond memories,” he concluded. “To y’all, thanks for memories.”
Alderman Aubry Brent Jr. said he and Varner joined the city council in 1996. He admits their relationship was rocky at times but always stable.
“Jack and I sold a lot of newspapers with The Herald because initially we fussed and differed,” Brent said. “But we would always leave on one accord. He can sometimes be a little stubborn and cantankerous. But over the years, even though he is a white man, he was something of a grandfather to me. I listened to him. I respected him. He always had the city’s best interest at heart.”
Mayor Diane Delaware said she never saw an ounce of corruption with Varner, adding that his ideas were sincere and thoughtful.
“You have been excellent for this city,” she said.
Robertson also thanked the community for their support during his four years in office. He first applauded the number of young people who were involved in this election’s voting process.
“I want to ask you not to only be involved in the voting process but continue to be involved in things going on in the city,” Robertson said. “Hold these offices accountable that we may make this city the great city that I know it can be.”
Robertson said Yazoo City is and will remain his home. He loves the community and its people.
“I was a servant long before I became an alderman and I shall remain a servant long after I am an alderman,” he said.
Robertson said he is grateful for the community allowing him to participate in the local political arena. He said it was interesting at times, but he is pleased with what he accomplished during his tenure.
“It matters not how long you serve, but what you do when you serve,” he said. “People tell me that politics is a dirty, nasty business. It may be. But the people who are in it certainly don’t have to be.”
Brent said Robertson was always steadfast in every decision he made while in office.
“He was very much concerned about the individuals and homes in his ward,” Brent said. “He always made sound decisions. With every decision he made, he wanted to stay within the law. That is a good point that aldermen would want to follow.”
Robertson wished the new city council well and offered his assistance in any transition.
“Yazoo City is my home, and I’m not going any place,” he said.
