Itta Bena will meet its challenges and celebrate its victories, promised Mayor Thelma Collins.
"It's difficult being mayor because of budget cuts. We had to cut back workers," she said. "We inherited a giant in Itta Bena, but it's not so big a giant we can't overcome it."
Collins and two other female Delta mayors provided the keynote speeches Thursday evening at the Leflore County Democratic Executive Committee Annual Beans and Greens Banquet.
Collins praised the Leflore County Board of Supervisors for donating surplus sheriff's department patrol cars to Itta Bena.
She also noted clean-up efforts in the town and new housing starts.
Soon, Collins said, Itta Bena will become the site of a house constructed by Habitat for Humanity.
Mayors Dianna Foster-Freelon of Grenada and Barbara Brooks of Leland also spoke at the dinner, attended by about 200 people.
They sang the praises of the Democratic Party and bemoaned the oppressive politics of the Republicans.
Brooks called for more youth to become active in the party. "We need to show them what it stands for and why they should want to become a Democrat."
The Leland mayor criticized the GOP for rounding up candidates to run against U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Bolton, every two years.
"Congressman Thompson is a driving force in the second District. He is a strong Democrat," she said.
Foster-Freelon urged black Democratic officeholders not to be afraid of power and not to play the game to please the old-time white power structure.
"The Republican party's not afraid of big power," she said. "We shouldn't be."
The Beans and Greens Banquet got its name from back in earlier days of the Democratic Party when poor people gathered together to discuss politics, said Anna Hicks, vice chair of the executive committee, and couldn't afford meat to eat.
"So they ate beans and greens," she said.
Thursday night's group dined on fried chicken, beans, greens, cornbread and cake. They clapped their hands and enjoyed the music of The Melody Kings gospel group.
