Our Nation’s 40th President Ronald Reagan said “concentrated power has always been the enemy of liberty.”

As Americans, and particularly Mississippians, we cherish the power of the people through our right to exercise democracy. We are at a point and time in our history in Panola County to witness the government we elected to serve the best interests of the people who placed them in office.

The question for all of us today is simple. Have we been diligent in expressing our interests, or have we surrendered our democratic right of expression to the will of those who would serve their own wellbeing instead?

Panola County Supervisors are in discussions to decide the interim future of the Sheriff’s Department with an appointment that can be made unilaterally at their discretion, or at the will and best interests of the people. The cost of our freedom has been paid with the blood, sweat and tears of so many before us, and is protected and upheld by a government elected by the people and for the people.

Whatever our elected officials decide, it should be a result of democracy in action because the voice of the people was clearly heard. It has been said that democracy is government by discussion, but is only effective if you can get people talking.

Panola County, speak up, make your voices heard, and be a part of the discussion that makes our democracy work for the people it was created to serve.

/s/Pastor Marlon Coleman