Beware of the Trojan Horse full of de-annexers

The mythical story of the Trojan Horse is a well-known one that serves as a warning in life to be cautious and careful when you are presented with something that may seem nice on the outside, but can cause damage, hurt, or destruction because of what lies on the inside. 

The Trojan Horse story describes how Greek soldiers were able to take the city of Troy by hiding in a giant horse. Reportedly, the Greeks constructed a huge wooden horse and hid a select force of men inside, while other Greeks pretended to sail away. Letting their guard down, the Trojans horse was seen as a trophy by the people of Troy and pulled into the city. That night, the Greek force inside the horse crept out and opened the gates for the rest of the Greek army. The Greeks entered and destroyed the city of Troy.

A “Trojan Horse” means any trickery that causes a target to invite a foe into a securely protected bastion or place. Fast-forward to today and I share this story to warn Mableton voters that this danger, in the form of a Trojan Horse, is poised at our gate. Inside are de-annexers – people wanting to do our new city harm. They are posing as candidates for the new city governance, but they have telegraphed for months what they intend to do. They do not care about the city of Mableton, only about themselves and what they want, which is to be de-annexed from Mableton. They are saying one thing now to lure voters to put down their guards and embrace them, while holding meetings and telling their audience what their real plans are, which is to get elected and begin the dismantling of Mableton. 

During the November 8^th election, the majority of the voters supported Mableton becoming a city. That should have been the end of the story, but it was not. Hate by those who voted no has sprung up against the new city. It is disturbing and the dog whistles are alarming as it speaks to racism and classism in Mableton, not good government.

That hatred has taken a new form with candidates opposed to the new city entering the races, pledging to dismantle Mableton. We are in the midst of early voting and a few weeks away from the Special Election on March 21. After having their hatred language thrown back at them, they have decided to do what is needed to get elected…tell the voters anything they want to hear. 

Yes, the de-annexers have reportedly changed their tune…or have they? 

Just look at current responses to questions asked of them now. Compare that to their earlier rhetoric and you be the judge. They are now claiming that they want to make Mableton the best city possible and will work with others in a collaborative manner to do so. Do you believe them, because I don’t?

If enough de-annexers get elected, they can take the new city apart and return it to an unincorporated community. These are their words, not mine. Does that sound like a Trojan Horse to you? It does to me.

In speaking with members of the community, they have pointed to a great ethical question that exists for those who have entered the race and have held themselves out for months as a de-annexer. How do you plan to govern something that you do not want, that you despise, and that you want to dismantle?

The famous poet Maya Angelou said, “When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.”

I believe the de-annexers, do you? I believe that they will tear the new city of Mableton apart based on the words that came out of their mouths. They mean us no good, and this opinion is based on what they have advocated for months.

De-annexers are showing up on neighborhood social media sites trying to disguise themselves as pro Mableton candidates. They are not. They now say they are the honest and ethical candidates to elect. How do we know that to be true…just because they and their minions say it. What are you trying to say about the other candidates in these races…that they are not honest and ethical? When someone tries hard to sell you on that, they usually are the least honest and least ethical…just saying.

As you go to the polls this week and on March 21, please know beforehand who the candidates are and who supports Mableton. Voters must ask that question as they select a Mayor and 6 council persons for the new governance of Mableton.

Spotlight and other community organizations recently came together to host a candidates forum for the community after hearing from members that they did not have enough information about the candidates. Yes, all of the candidates were invited to attend. One notified us immediately that she had a conflict and regrettably could not join. The rest sent a confirmation of their attendance. Hours before the forum was to start, we began receiving emails from candidates that they had a conflict and could not attend the forum. The notifications seemed legitimate at first, but upon further examination, there was a commonality that could not be ignored. Those pulling out had all identified themselves previously as de-annexers.

Our only thought was this: If they are not willing to come before you, the community, to tell voters why they should receive your support, you should not give them a free pass and allow them to enter Mableton’s governance via a Trojan Horse.  

Candidates worthy of your votes showed up, and that’s the first role and requirement of the new governance who will be elected to lead Mableton…Show Up.

I am not going to tell you who to vote for, but I am going to warn you and tell you not to vote for anyone who wants to hurt us. Don’t vote for de-annexers.
 

The lesson in this story is this…don’t be fooled voters and don’t embrace the Trojan Horse. It will not be good for us or our new city of Mableton.