A Time to Speak with Rob Chambers

Due to significant grassroots efforts and pushback, the Lee County Board of Supervisors rescinded a county power-grab, housing ordinance.

The Board was pushing for an increase of minimum mobile home lot size from 1/2 acre to 2 acres. No three-tab, shingles, only architectural shingles allowed. No well water connections allowed. Excessively harsh penalties for violations including up to $1,000 fine and/or imprisonment up to 30 days "each day that a violation continues" (emphasis added). All this and more.

Grassroots efforts made all the difference in the Supervisors' unanimous reversal.

In this podcast, Chad Mills of Pontotoc County (a neighboring county to Lee County, Mississippi) , expresses and explains his opposition to the amended Manufactured Housing Code. Chambers discusses with Mills the Board's power-grab as a discriminatory act to violate landowner and homeowner rights. Examples of the heavy-handed approach to government includes the ordinance that if homeowners don't build a porch on their house or don't have government-approved roofing, they get fined and/or go to jail for up to 30 days.

While citing reasonable concerns about waste-water runoff from mobile homes as basis for amending the code, the Board passed draconian changes to the manufactured housing code with very little to no transparency. Wesley Webb, President of Lee County Supervisor, has publicly defended the unanimous vote of the Board.

Tupelo's local paper, the Daily Journal, described the power-grab as a "tweak [to] manufactured housing regulations." Local reports also claim the Board began to consider changes in May 2024. This is the same month the Daily Journal reported the Community Development Foundation (CDF) gave the supervisors of Lee County "a presentation and proposed changes to the county's mobile home regulations." The CDF vision claims to "build a strong, diverse local economy and unique quality of place for all who live and work in Tupelo/Lee County." At the time of posting this podcast, CDF had not publicly opposed the Lee County Board of Supervisors' vote on the housing ordinance.

In this podcast, you will hear Mr. Pinkins' story of growing up in Rolling Fork, MS--a rural area in the Mississippi Delta, serving in the U.S. Army, and graduating from Georgetown University Law Center.

Mr. Ty Pinkins (D) is a candidates running to represent Mississippi in the U.S. Senate. Also in the race is Mr. Roger Wicker (R).

Major issues discussed were Pinkins' position on funding the wars in Ukraine and Israel, the Palestinian conflict, Medicaid expansion and work requirements, abortion, Roe v. Wade, and the Equality Act. 

Pinkins' was also asked how he would interact with those whose political views would greatly differ from his own, and how he would govern if elected.

Politicians characterizing opposing candidates and their supporters was also discussed. In particular, a political endorsement published by Sen. Wicker on social media was also shown for Mr. Penkins' response. Mr. Wicker's social media post makes disparaging comments about voters not voting for Mr. Wicker, including Pinkins and Pinkins' voters, and characterizing them as "a special kind of stupid." The video published by Mr. Wicker go so far as to say, "[Roger Wicker's] always on the side of what is right and just. And let me say it again, did I mention how tough he is? If you get between Roger Wicker and what is best for the good people of Mississippi, Wicker will devour you like a light snack." Mr. Pinkins shares his response to Mr. Wicker's post.

Mr. Pinkins also stated students at the University of Mississippi have invited both candidates, Pinkins and Wicker, to a town hall on October 28, 2024 at 4:00pm. Mr. Pinkins agreed to the town hall, and said he would like to have a debate with Mr. Wicker who has yet to agree. The exact location of the event was not known at the time this was posted.

Both candidates were invited for a video, podcast interview on A Time to Speak with Rob Chambers. At the time of publication, Mr. Pinkins is the only candidate to agree and participate.

For nearly two decades, Chambers has researched, engaged, and interviewed scores of political candidates and officials of major political parties at the local, state, and federal level, including the state and federal judiciary. 

Mr. Dannie Reed, GOP Executive Committee member from Choctaw County, Mississippi, discusses his experience during the 2024 Republican caucus for GOP delegates. Reed stated the increased involvement at the grassroots level (precinct and county) will result in an improved MS Republican Party. Due to grassroots promotion and participation, Choctaw County witnessed historic engagement in the delegate selection process. Grassroots conservatives from all over the county took it upon themselves to become more active in the GOP caucus for delegates. The Choctaw County Republican Party that was once led by a few individuals is now led by grassroots conservatives from all over Choctaw County.

MS GOP Leaders and the Attempt to Silence Conservatives. A Time to Speak with Rob Chambers interviewed with Ms. Nancy McDade who was elected Lee County, Mississippi precinct delegate to the MS GOP. This podcast discusses the view that MS GOP leadership used tactics that violated party rules and attempted to suppress GOP grassroots conservatives. The apparent goal was to protect the established MS GOP political ruling class during the Republican caucus to elect delegates.