Several dozen area residents gave U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) the proverbial “pink slip” Thursday in a protest hosted by We Surround Them Jones County.
The group wrote personalized messages to the congressman on pink “Important Message” slips, delivering them to his office in Laurel. Organizers said a similar event was planned in Hattiesburg.
Richard Conrad, who organized the protest, said the purpose was to let Taylor know that his constituents expect him to vote no this weekend on a bill for nationalized healthcare.
“There was a tea party in Washington today where people could go and see their congressman face to face,” he said. “Some of us couldn’t make that trip, but we wanted to do something similar at the local office.”
Conrad said these pink slips weren’t a termination notice, but “you could take it that way.”
“It’s a very important vote,” he said. “If he does vote for it, we want him to know that people are watching him. We’re very concerned about our country. The people in his district are very upset, and he needs to be an advocate for us as well.”
Brenda Turner, who was one of those showing their support, said she hoped Taylor received the message.
“We don’t want it,” she said. “He needs to listen to us.”
Julie Harper, who carried a sign that said “Government Healthcare Makes Me Sick,” said there is a need to remind elected officials who put them in office.
“It’s time for conservative people to speak out against the socialist healthcare debate,” she said. “The government hasn’t been able to run anything else. It’s going to be a nightmare.”
One supporter even gave the event national coverage, speaking live on the Rush Limbaugh radio show.
“I think Gene heard that one if nothing else,” said Ed Willoughby, who said it was his first time calling the show. “I told them what we were doing to encourage Gene Taylor. He’s on a slippery slope as a Blue Dog Democrat. We strongly suggest he represent the people who sent him to Washington or he needs to go job hunting.”
Willoughby said he feels like those in Mississippi don’t have any control of what’s happening on the federal level.
“We’re just along for the ride,” he said. “Whatever it is, whether healthcare or cap and trade, we just have to sit here and fit the bill.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Photos/David Owens
-
Residents send Rep. Taylor the ‘pink slip’
Want Congressman to vote no on healthcare bill
- Local News
-
-
Arrest made in bomb threat
A 19-year-old Jones County Junior College student was arrested Tuesday in connection with a bomb threat to a building on the school’s campus earlier in the day.
-
City council votes 5-1 to restrict transient vendors
With little discussion, the Laurel City Council voted to put restrictions on transient vendors operating in the city and to change the grade level of the city’s building inspector.
-
Aspiring to greatness
The Rev. Leander Bridges was the keynote speaker at Jones County Junior College’s Black History Program Tuesday.
-
JCJC’s student health fair focusing on prevention
Jones County Junior College students recently had the opportunity to discover the true meaning of Benjamin Franklin’s motto, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” at the college’s Student Health Fair. Hundreds of students took advantage of the opportunity to learn about a wide range of topics including behavioral problems, nutrition, fitness, and foot care.
-
Arbor Day set for Feb. 10
The City of Laurel is recognizing Arbor Day and Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack has proclaimed Friday, Feb. 10th, as Arbor Day in the City of Laurel.
-
Zoo owners ask judge to return animals
The owners of the Collins Zoo have asked a judge to return 11 animals seized by state wildlife officers in January.
-
Several injured in separate 84 East wrecks
The jaws of life were used at about 4:55 p.m. Saturday to free victims of a two-vehicle accident on Highway 84 East, the second serious accident in that area in two days.
-
Animal cruelty case under investigation
Officials are continuing to investigate a case where several animals were seized last week from a home in the Beat Four Community of Wayne County.
-
Piazza becomes city’s Public Defender
In a special ceremony last week at Laurel City Hall, local attorney John Piazza was sworn in as the City of Laurel Public Defender.
-
Jasper County officials work to make upgrades at fire station, voting precinct
Jasper County officials are continuing to work to make improvements at one of the county’s fire stations and voting precincts.
- More Local News Headlines
-
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
