Sunday, January 27, 2008

One Answer - and Another Mystery

As some of you guessed, Darryl Grennell is the candidate for Mayor I discussed in my prior article. He will announce some time this week. In the comments on that article, some of you thought he wouldn't run or couldn't win. Well, you're wrong. He will definitely win, and he is practically the perfect candidate. Hang in there, Natchez! There's hope for a sane City government.

Now for another political mystery. I hear that Bob Pollard might have a serious challenger. What do you think?

Thursday, January 24, 2008

A New Mayor for Natchez?

I want to go on record now predicting that Natchez will have a new Mayor after the City elections. I can't name names or sources, but a candidate will emerge soon who will be supported by a wide range of voters - Republicans and Democrats, black and white, young and old, natives and newcomers.

Now if we could just find some candidates for Aldermen.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

News about Rentech

On November 19, I told you Rentech was offered a buyout from one of its investors, Sherwood Investments Overseas Ltd, based in the British Virgin Islands. At the time, Rentech shares were worth $1.72. Apparently they haven't given up, because they made another offer on December 18. In the meantime Sherwood has purchased more stock, and Rentech is only selling for $1.37 today. (Click here for a copy of Sherwood's letter to Rentech.) However, Rentech is still not interested. Their Board voted unanimously to reject the offer.

But today a very interesting development occurs. Hunt Ramsbottom, CEO of Rentech, wrote an opinion piece on Huffington Post, which is a popular national liberal blog. Since much of the opposition to Rentech (and other advocates of coal based fuel alternatives) comes from liberal environmentalists, Rentech has obviously decided to burnish its environmental image. This is a good move, since not all liberals are opposed to the process - plus the fact that Congress is controlled by Democrats, that more Democrats will be elected to Congress in 2008, and most importantly a Democrat and environmentalist will be elected President in 2008.

Another tidbit about Rentech is that it recently hired a Washington lobbying firm to represent its interests on Capitol Hill. The firm, Brownstein, Hyatt, & Farber, is based in Denver, Colorado, as is Rentech. However, it is one of the top firms in Washington. It is unique in that it appears to be bipartisan. During the years the Republicans controlled Congress, they refused to deal with lobbying firms that hired Democrats, so it is all the more remarkable that BHF has done so well. However, in 2006, when Democrats regained control of Congress, their revenues shot up, when all those other (Republican hiring) firms lost money. I think Rentech has chosen well, and I'll bet big money it was their idea to write for Huffington Post.

I just hope Rentech doesn't get spooked by the antics of our Keystone Cops Board of Supervisors. That was truly humiliating.

Are You Registered to Vote?

Are you registered to vote? Are you sure? Why don't you check to be sure? It's really easy. Just click here. You fill in your name, address, and email address, and it looks up your voter registration. After it's checked your registration, it sends you a Welcome email, where you can look up your friends and see if they are registered.

If you're not registered, it tells you how to do it. In Adams County, you can just go to the Circuit Clerk's office in the Courthouse. It will give you the opportunity to say hi to our new Circuit Clerk Eddie Walker and tell him how glad you are that he was elected.

February 9 is the deadline to register to vote in the Primary Elections. All mail in registrations must be postmarked by that date.

PS Whether you are registered to vote or not is a matter of public record.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Happy 2008!

Sorry to have been negligent lately with the blog. Contrary to popular opinion, I do have a life - and it's been keeping me busy.

2008 is going to be a year full of elections. Friday was the deadline to file to run for the US House and Senate. US Senators run for office only every six years. Senator Lott ran in 2006 (more on that later) and Senator Cochran is running in 2008. He has two neglible opponents, so my first election prediction for 2008 is that Senator Cochran will win in a landslide.

Members of the US House have to run for election every two years. Our Representative, Chip Pickering, announced a while back that he would not run again. An open seat is a rarity in Mississippi, and it usually produces a whole bunch of candidates - and 2008 is not an exception. There are 10 candidates running - 8 Republicans and 2 Democrats - all white men. Mississippi has never sent a woman to Congress, and it's not going to this time. The Primary Election will be March 11, and I'll be letting you know about these candidates. But prepare yourself, because they'll be campaigning until November -almost eight months between the Primary and General is ridiculous!

Also on March 11, Mississippi will have Primary Elections for US President. Right now, both parties have wide open races, which is exciting. However, it is likely that it will be over by the time we have a chance to express our opinions. I've included a delegate counter on the blog so you can follow the race.

Before we have a chance to catch our breath from the federal primaries, we'll have a city election - which is probably more important to most of us. I sure hope we have some changes in the leadership. I've heard lots of rumors about people running, but nothing is confirmed. But I'll be sure to let you know - and please let me know of any rumors you hear.

As you know, Senator Lott resigned this year, and Governor Barbour has appointed US Representative Roger Wicker to his seat (which I predicted way before he did it). There are two Democrats running against him. The major Democrat running is former Governor Ronnie Musgrove. Now we're going to really be confused with this US Senate race, because Wicker and Musgrove look just alike. If you don't know which is which, Musgrove is on the left and Wicker on the right - of course.
Another interesting thing about this race is that the two men are best friends. They were roommates when they were both in the State Legislature. This could mean that we'll have a positive campaign, free of negative ads and personal attacks. Or it could mean the end of a friendship.

Unfortunately, we have no idea when we'll be voting for this seat. There is disagreement over the law. Republicans say the election should be in November, and Democrats say it should be March. The courts will decide this, and the trial starts next week.

Happy Election Year!