McGee feels musical groups are important to the city
I was hired as a professional musician to augment the church orchestra at Colonial Heights Baptist Church for the Christmas music of 1988. It was there that I met Gene McGee, a charter member of the orchestra and hand bell choir. Gene, a deacon and very active in the outreach program of the church, was not the Mayor of Ridgeland at that time. I saw how friends of many years respected Gene and worked diligently for his election to this post. I knew that without any doubt the quality person Gene was by the confidence they had in both his word and actions.
I have had the privilege over these years to pursue a warm relationship with Gene and his family. A very interesting part has been an opportunity to develop musical groups for many civic affairs, which the Mayor has felt were an important part of the ambiance of the City of Ridgeland. In our many endeavors and conversations, there has been a continuing thread of “what is best for the citizens of Ridgeland” and, “what can I do to insure that this is what happens.”
He has many times, when asked, related stories about information he has gained from both state and national travels about cities of like size. It is physically evident, as you see the exciting and tremendous changes that have taken place in Ridgeland, that this is not just a ceremonial position that the post of Mayor has become. I don’t feel that I need to attest to this point. Gene would be the first to point out his respect for the fact that the board of alderman, employees and citizens have all played a tremendous role in this superb development.
I continue to see the same energy in his devotion to his work as I saw many years ago. I would hope that the citizens of Ridgeland would all see the very valid reasons to go to the polls and reelect Gene McGee as Mayor.
Don Hickman
Fellow Church Musician