By: Marvin McCoy
It feels different in Inglewood today and although Gloria Gray’s ascension to the City Council only represents one vote, it’s Ms. Gray’s experience and long-time role as an elected public servant, with an extensive record of building relationships with the community and community partners, will serve to be an invaluable asset not only to her constituents in District 1 but to the City as a whole.
It’s unfortunate that it has come to this and in hindsight, I’m sure George Dotson and his campaign are wondering what they could have done differently to reverse last night’s results and that couldn’t have happened because Dotson had already sold his soul and vote to Butts.
If I could offer some advice, not only to Mr. Dotson but also to Councilmembers Dionne Faulk and Eloy Morales, and Inglewood City Clerk Aisha Thompson whom I all suspect will face the very same fate as Dotson if they don’t abandon ship so to speak and begin to create a comfortable, professional distance from the Mayor and acknowledge and accept the cold hard truth and the fact that the natives are restless and are out for blood.
Thompson is rightfully scared to do so because the mayor could try to throw his weight around and try to force a vote to reduce her salary like he did Wanda Brown but does he really want that fight?
We are back to the days when the residents stood together and revolted against Walmart and if you need a refresher I suggest you “google it”.
I admit the urge to be petty is tempting but with George Dotson’s loss there’s much to be learned and in fact, a “teachable” moment so to speak because without significant changes in the way, the elected officials govern Inglewood, may want to start using their voice because they all on the clock.
Mayor Butts and his narcissistic behavior may have served useful in ramming the NFL and the Intuit Dome down Inglewood residents throats but has caused a lot of collateral damage along the way with George Dotson being one of many who suffered irreparable harm and or energy by comfortably mingling in the Mayor’s orbit.
In closing, I don’t know the path forward but the challenges facing Inglewood can no longer be ignored and despite the Mayor’s and the City’s philosophy to give the masses food and games with concerts and choreographed turkey giveaways their perception is the residents will never revolt. Well, District 1 residents just showed us “it’s on like Donkey Kong”.
We need a new day in Inglewood and it appears to have come in the way of Gloria Gray.
Marvin McCoy is a lifelong Inglewood resident and can be reached at therealmccoymarketinggroup@gmail.com or on Twitter: @MarvinM83905936 | Instagram: @therealmccoymarketinggroup
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The same can be said of the City of Compton. Our sign of hope was the election in 2021 of Councilman Jonathan Bowers of the 3rd District, a professional firefighter with more than 30 years of experience. Contrast him with the “me, two” votes now sitting on council include an affirmed drug user, some claim drug dealer. Compton is ranked dead last of all 482 California cities according to a recent 2022 state audit says residents and voters are summarily ignored and dismissed in this city. We can do better, people. Thanks for the article, Marvin. I titled mine: “New Sheriff in Town.” Let’s hope both cities have turned a needed corner.