http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/20/1378904/-Missouri-town-elects-first-black-mayor-80-of-the-police-city-attorney-water-supervisor-resign
What the hell were they afraid of?
Born and raised in tiny Parma, Missouri, Tyrus Byrd, a Christian missionary and the city clerk of Parma, decided she wanted to give running for mayor a shot. She beat the incumbent mayor, a white man, by 37 votes. Before she could take office, police officers and city employees scrambled like roaches with the light flipped on:
Tyrus Byrd will be sworn in as mayor on Tuesday evening, April 14, at the Parma Community Building. According to Mayor Randall Ramsey, five out of six police officers resigned this week, effectively immediately.
Mayor Ramsey said the city's attorney, the clerk and the waste water treatment plant supervisor also turned in resignation letters citing "safety concerns."
Mayor Elect, Tyrus Byrd, said she was unaware of the situation and plans to ask questions about the "safety concerns" during Tuesday night's ceremony.
Safety concerns?
What in the world did they expect Mayor-Elect Byrd to do? While it's deeply offensive, puzzling, and highly suspicious that so many elected officials scrambled the moment the first African-American mayor in the history of Parma, Missouri, was elected, it's hard not to think they did her a favor.
If the very presence of a black woman in power causes you to fear for your safety, you shouldn't be a public servant.
this represents the total stupidity of racism, are these persons planning to leave the city if not where will their income come from or have their racially biased past running of the city made them rich. IMO yes they did the Mayor and the residents a favor she can now appoint qualified people to replace those who run and oppose.
The racial makeup of the city was 67.46% White, 29.45% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, so it would seem that a good portion of the White community didn't like the job the old guard was doing. and the police well notes could be taken by other MO juridictions. we might get a balanced local gov't and police, will be interesting to see how it goes and who interferes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parma,_Missouri
