Mayor Flaggs removes himself from animal shelter discussion

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Tensions surrounding the new animal shelter issue has Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs, Jr. withdrawing from any future involvement with the project.

On Tuesday, Community Activist/Advocate Gina Hendrickson submitted an op-ed to the Vicksburg Daily News, calling for city officials to stop playing politics with the issue surrounding the animal shelter.

“How many more times do we need to see Vicksburg on television interviewing Kacie at the shelter? It’s inadequacy? Right now it is overflowing with animals! For two years Kacie, Rescues and wonderful people of our community have been and are doing everything they can for the animals here. If a new shelter is not built soon, the city may have no choice but to euthanize animals,” stated Hendrickson in her article.

On Wednesday, several citizens expressed concerns surrounding the situation and opted to raise those concerns in a Town Hall meeting on Thursday at the Watermark Venue at 6:30 p.m. The plan was to request accountability to the project, a plan and input from citizens on where they want the shelter to be located, as well as what they expect from the Board of Mayor and Alderman.

Flaggs soon responded with dismay concerning the tone of those organizing the effort, expressing his views on how it seemed disrespectful to hold the meeting at the same time he and the aldermen are to be sworn back into office.

“They scheduled their meeting at the exact time we are being installed into office. That is the most disrespectful thing that’s been done to me in my 31 years in public office,” stated Flaggs.

The organizer of the meeting, Hendrickson, was aware of the overlap when it was mentioned to her by VDN. “I know it’s at the same time,” said Hendrickson.

Flaggs responded, “And they expect us to work with them?!”

On Thursday, Flaggs decided it was best to remove himself from the discussion all together and leave any future discussion to South Ward Alderman Alex Monsour and North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield.

“Great Morning and please inform your group that I think it’s in the best interest of the city of Vicksburg and your group that I, George Flaggs, Jr. remove myself from any future discussion of an animal shelter and allow the aldermen to continue with your organization or group… Please read this text tonight at your protest discussion of my leadership while I try to focus on the future of Vicksburg at my inauguration as mayor,” stated Flaggs in a message to the event organizers.