Delhi alderman addresses complaints

Editor’s note: Delhi Alderman Larry Houston has written the following article in response to social media posts regarding the Town of Delhi.

By Larry Houston
Alderman, Delhi District B

First of all, I do not like doing this, but I have been left no options. I don’t do social media, but several comments have been made that I’m going to address.

As this is my first term, I admit that it’s a learning experience for me as well as my fellow alderman, Ellen Oliver.

Comments have been made about the mayor and all of the city council members. Why? Because one person was not hired as a free policeman -- an auxiliary officer.

When a dog is asleep, you need to let him stay asleep. I can’t speak for the rest of the council in their districts, but as for me in District B, I gave this person a fair shot. No one wanted him on the force again. 

Although I haven’t had a major problem with him, others have. I explained this to him very discreetly at the meeting he attended.

We are elected by the people, for the people. So, with that being said, they simply didn’t want his standard of policing again. So, get over it.

I have run for many offices and I didn’t win. It took me more than 20 years to finally win a seat on the Delhi council.

As I stated earlier, we have to learn and, even at that, we have an attorney who advises us what we can and can’t do.

Some things I went after were shot down, but one thing I can honestly say is that I have represented District B because I care and I have heard the people’s cry. 

Can I deliver everything? No. No one can. If they tell you that they can, they are simply lying. Another thing the person talking about me may not know is that if a town employee is right, I stand behind them. Notice I said right. Whether it is an officer or a town laborer or employee, I stand behind what is right. Some of them can tell you that.

I want to take time to ask what is wrong with people in this town? Why wouldn’t you want your town to thrive with better infrastructure, sewer, water, businesses, etc?

All we hear is that we don’t want the mom and pop stores closed. I graduated here in 1980 after I moved here in 1978. When I came here, we had four car lots, two grocery stores, along with a butcher shop (Kelly’s), a 5&10 cent store, John O’Neal’s, etc.

Back then, you could hurry and get a pair of socks, a pair of jeans, dress shirts, etc. Now? Nothing.

So, guess what? People go to the next town to Wal-Mart or Monroe to others stores. That’s where the money for this town is going. Did you see the mom and pop stores close down back then? No.

What folks need to realize is that we have something good in Delhi -- a railroad track going through, I-20 and Hwy 80. We have room for progress if we don’t let it die.

What do you think you’re leaving behind for your grandkids and great grandkids? Nothing.

If I had businesses and property, I would sell some of it to make Delhi great again. But, no. We want to make money off of the few people who are left here confined to no transportation or simply old age. In these people’s mind, we’ve got them.

I have asked at least for one drug store to open on Saturday. Every one refused. I had one hope and then it was turned down because others got to the new owner, saying things like “We can’t afford a pharmacist on Saturday.” Well, how did they afford one in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s? I’ll tell you how. Most have made enough money until they don’t need us anymore. What about giving back to the community?

On another note, we have another convenience store coming in. I’m proud to see this, but we need another grocery store, a dry cleaner, etc. 

If you go to any store in this town and it’s not properly maintained (meaning clean) inside and out, owners not showing courtesy at all time, mistreating their employees, people you have a choice. You do not have to do business with them.

If you go anywhere and experience this in our town or any town, remember you have a choice. You work hard for your money.