Suburbs

A message to the two Republicans running to be the party’s candidate for Horn Lake mayor:

We are trying to get information to readers about the campaign. Trying to let them know your platforms. Trying to tell them about your stance on major issues.

Do you support law enforcement?

Does Horn Lake need a tax increase?

What are your qualifications compared to your opponent?

What are your plans as Horn Lake continues to grow?

There is a major factor in our doing these types of stories. You need to talk to us. Call us back. Answer questions we pose to you.

I really hate to raise issues about troubles we encounter doing our job. Part of our duties are to fight through the resistance. Continue to push to talk to people involved in stories. Ask for records that officials don’t want to release. Ask questions for further information.

And I fully understand that people aren’t concerned with our problems. Nor should they be.

In the case of the Horn Lake mayor’s runoff on April 22, we are simply seeking information for voters to consider. And for the Republican candidates, we might as well have been looking for two people in witness protection. Or that we were asking them about some dastardly deed from their past.

Because as hard as he tried, reporter Brandon LaGrone had trouble reaching Horn Lake Alderman Danny Klein and former mayor Nat Baker. Some of it was even getting a contact number for them from City Hall, even though they are either current or past city officials.

We eventually talked to Klein in a brief interview; we never did reach Baker.

That’s a problem for us.

And for readers.

Sure, there are candidates’ websites to provide people with background, but public officials should be available to answer questions. That is literally part of the job; to be responsive to the public.

We are trying to provide an objective view of the candidates. Not just the public relations stances promoted by the candidates’ websites. Providing a look into what readers/voters can expect.

Or maybe a stance with which everyone doesn’t agree.

But we have to hear from the candidates. We have to ask them questions. Let them say their piece.

In the Horn Lake situation, we filled in some information from the campaign websites, but that is not the answer.

The answer is for the candidates to answer questions. Express their opinion. Give their position on issues.

In the future, maybe our approach will be saying simply that the candidate did not return calls.

And giving the whole story to the opponent. - Suburbs editor Clay Bailey

We hope you enjoy reading the latest news from our suburban reporters. If you’re a Daily Memphian subscriber, we appreciate your support. If not, please sign up for unlimited access to all of our local news coverage.