Flaggs Outlines Re-Election Vision at Robert M. Walker Building

VICKSBURG, Miss. – Mayor Flaggs outlined his re-election vision yesterday evening in the Robert M. Walker building. The mayor is up for re-election this year and will formally register for re-election on January 27, 2025.

The mayor offered his “Vision of the Future of Vicksburg” if re-elected, listing the following on a presentation board set in the front of the room titled, “Mayor Flaggs’ 2025-2029 Vision for Vicksburg.” On the board the high-points were:

• Enhancing Public Safety
• Building a Civil War Interpretive Center
• Completing the Port Project
• Reorganizing Parks and Recreation
• Improving Housing Opportunities
• Revitalizing Hotel Vicksburg
• Addressing Blighted Properties
• Completing the New Riverfront Park
• Collaborating with Kansas City Southern Railroad
• Investing in Infrastructure

After Flaggs read the list and a brief explanation of each, the Mayor said, “I’m Ready, I’m ready, I’m ready to run a race that I think will be competitive.”

After the brief presentation, the Mayor opened the floor to questions but did not provide exact numbers when asked. When asked what the poverty rate in Vicksburg is, he was unable to provide a number, but indicated it was “lower than you might think.” According to the most recent US census report, the poverty rate for Vicksburg is 27.9%.

Other questions asked included the Mayor voting to purchase two tickets for $1000 total to a Jackson State Booster event to raise money for a NIL. Flaggs alluded that he was misinformed on that event and where the money would go, stating “We have spent every penny since 2017 according to the law.”

Flaggs was challenged on that expenditure, pointing out that the application was in the documents provided to him and included in the meeting where Flaggs voted yes. It was further noted that Alderman Monsour made a point to explain that in the meeting saying, “It’s a fundraiser for NIL (at 27:30)” When the Mayor was then asked if he misunderstood where the money was going, was he going to make an attempt to have the money returned, Flaggs responded, “Why should I?”

When the Mayor was asked what NIL stood for, he was unable to provide an answer. NIL is a collegiate level sports term which allows a student-athlete who participates in a varsity sport on any and all levels to be eligible to profit from their Name, Image, Likeness.

The topic of homelessness was also brought up, specifically surrounding an incident where an homeless man’s tent was removed from the right of way off of Highway 61 S, the Mayor stated “I know nothing about that, I had nothing to do with that. That was a State function on State property.” He then added “I hate to say it, but a lot of people that are homeless, they’re homeless because they want to be homeless.”

The subject of the most recent trash rate increases was also discussed. The issue was the burden those increases placed on those with a fixed income. Flaggs stated that trash pickup is a fee for service and then talked about people wanting “entitlements.”

“I just don’t see how we can afford to keep adding on the cost of government. We can’t do that. It’s not fair to people that pay taxes,” Flaggs said.

The city has spent more than it has collected so far this fiscal year. At a special called meeting on December 23, 2024, the city transferred 1.5 million from the reserve fund to the Water and Gas account to cover cost over-runs related to the new garbage collection contract. The Mayor was unable to provide the exact amount the account was short, but later mentioned $700,000.

At the most recent meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen the Mayor announced there will be another rate increase in July of 2025 for garbage collection to cover the deficit.

When the subject of the state-of-the-art NOLA cams was brought up, the Mayor was unable to provide an exact number of the twenty-four cameras that had already been installed, not did he provide a timeline for the installations. Flaggs went on to say “It’s a work in progress, but you got to understand Entergy is up against debris and different things that they are doing to try and serve the community. They’ll probably get back on it.”

In a meeting with the Fostoria neighborhood in October, Alderman Alex Monsour clarified that an issue with Entergy not allowing the cameras to be installed on currently existing power poles had caused a delay in the installation. According to Monsour, as of today, all twenty-four of the cameras have been installed. Monsour added that a total of 265 cameras are currently in operation in the city. Two NOLA cameras are held in reserve as replacements in case of damage by storms or other hazards.

After the meeting ended, several city employees were seen clocking out after the event. These include VTV employees who were on hand to broadcast the audio and video on VTV.

You can watch the entire meeting by clicking this link.