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An intense six months in Lake Park politics culminated Tuesday night when Mayor Ben Futch resigned.
Futch took the oath of office at the start of this year. The resignation came after several controversial moves and incidents. Futch reportedly said “political forces were pressuring him” and “he no longer wanted to be a divisive element in the community” as reasons for his resignation as Lake Park mayor.
Though it is tempting to chronicle the incidents that have plagued Lake Park politically from January to July, the Lowndes County town would be better served by heeding the latter reason given for Futch’s resignation.
Bitter divisiveness and personal rancor must end on the Lake Park City Council and within the community. With Futch’s resignation, it is time for Lake Park to move forward and, more importantly, to heal. Lake Park City Council members and the city’s staff will have disagreements in the future.
That’s the nature of healthy politics and governance.
Government representatives should never march in lock-step to one political idea. Nor should relationships collapse to a point of personal animosity, name-calling or vindictiveness.
Lake Park has several decisions to make in the coming weeks. The qualification for mayoral candidates and the election of a new mayor to represent the town. Otherwise, no one should rush into any comprehensive plans or personnel changes.
But its representatives should make one decision immediately. They should each personally vow to be civil to one another. If they cannot respect each other personally then they should at least respect the offices each member holds and the community they represent.
What We Think
Lake Park: A time of healing
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Thank you, EMS
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
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Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
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Thank your local law enforcement today
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