Against the Powers That Be, Michael Cathey is the Man with a Plan for Alderman in Senatobia Ward-3

The Southern Truth

By Gloria Zuurveen, Editor-in-Chief

The battle for Ward-3 in Tate County is on. The race between the incumbent, Allen Tanksley, and challenger Michael Cathey for Alderman is more than just an election—it’s a fight for the future of a community built on the blood, sweat, and tears of its ancestors.

This position is a strategic one, especially for those with a vested interest but no real connection to the legacy of Ward-3. Why? Because Ward-3 is the fertile crescent of Tate County. It sits along the I-55 freeway—a major thoroughfare—and has already seen homes confiscated to accommodate an expanding industrial hub. Most of the Black residents of Senatobia live in Ward-3, not in the suburbs or out in the country. This is the land the policymakers have their eyes on. The recent development of the Holiday Inn and the ongoing construction of roundabouts signal what’s coming next—further expansion, more land grabs, and ultimately, displacement. The question is: Who will benefit?

This is why a change in leadership is not just necessary—it’s an emergency. Michael Cathey is the man for the moment. He was there when Carlisle and ABB were just blueprints. He was there when both Daddy’s and Big Mama’s houses were replaced using grant money he secured for New Town. He was also instrumental in bringing much of the development residents see today. Now, he remains the voice of the people, standing firm in the face of a hostile political climate. Mr. Cathey is not one to bow to the status quo. He is a leader who will bring resources of true substance and value, ensuring that land and prosperity remain in the hands of the people who built this community.

Fighting for Justice in Ward-3

Michael Cathey is not just fighting for the land and economic future of Ward-3; he is also standing up for justice and the rights of the people. He has spoken out against the abuse of power by law enforcement in Senatobia, particularly in Ward-3, where young Black men and women are often mistreated by the justice system.

 

Too often, officers who are fired from one town for misconduct find their way into Senatobia without any resistance. No one questions it, no one frowns, and no one holds them accountable—except for Michael Cathey. While he continues to challenge these injustices, Tanksley along with the other Black Alderman Demetrius Garrett remains silent. He does nothing when youth in Ward-3 face police brutality, harassment, or unfair treatment in the courts. Instead of fighting for the people, Tanksley bows to the very system that perpetuates these wrongs.

The Power Structure at Work

In 2021, an open letter from Al and Sybil of the Senatobia Southfork Homeowners Association revealed a disturbing reality. Despite being Republicans, they openly encouraged others to cross over and vote for Tanksley in the Democratic primary—solely to prevent Cathey from winning. In the letter, Sybil stated, “Even if you have voted Republican in the past election, you can vote in the Democratic primary. Al and I usually vote Republican, but we will be voting in this Democratic primary.”

This is the white power structure at work, manipulating the system to ensure their interests are protected. That same year, Tanksley won by less than 50 votes, aided by those who crossed over to keep him in office to do their bidding. Their reward? They highlight his “accomplishments”—donating 200 Thanksgiving baskets to Black seniors, providing 150 backpacks for children, and building basketball courts. These are temporary handouts, not real investments in Ward-3’s future.

Tanksley has proven himself a servant of the status quo. The predominantly white homeowners’ association knows every detail of his actions in the Black community, yet the Black residents of Ward-3 remain unaware of what goes on in the rest of their own ward. This is a stark example of wolves in sheep’s clothing—saying one thing while doing another.

The time for change is now. The Republican agenda is clear: take what they deem inappropriate for Black people to have. And all too often, their efforts are aided by Black officials willing to do their bidding. Jim Crow has no place in Ward-3. Its ugly head must not rise again.

Vote for Michael Cathey – A Leader Who Fights for the People

On Election Day, Ward-3 has a choice: continue on a path of hidden agendas and displacement, or stand with a leader who will fight for its future. That leader is Michael Cathey. He will not remain silent in the face of injustice. He will not allow police abuse to go unchecked. He will not bow to the system that seeks to erase Ward-3’s legacy.

Michael Cathey is the man with the plan. Ward-3, your future is on the line. Stand up, fight back, and vote for Michael Cathey for Alderman.

The Southern Truth