As most of you know what I actually do for a living is I am a licensed commercial and residential contractor. Most of the jobs our company contracts are out of town. Although I would rather work at home there are certain advantages to working away. One of the most controversial scriptures says “shun the very appearance of evil.” Trust me when I tell you it’s very hard to do. 

Now I know I’m talking to a Christian community that never ever gossips or judges their neighbor. But for some reason when my company works locally a little birdy calls the ethics board in Baton Rouge to file a complaint. They tell them that I should not be allowed to work in Vernon Parish. It’s very easy to defend but it is a very lengthy process which takes time and ultimately cost all of us tax payers. The agency assigned to investigate those complaints is funded with taxpayers money. Some time ago an agent that was sent to investigate one of the complaints said “Mayor you have not done anything wrong trying to get work where you live but the question is how many investigations do you want to go through?” So instead of fighting and it taking time away from my work and costing us all money I have found it’s just easier to work out of town. 

I wish I was retiring soon so I could sit at home and draw a check but I’m a long ways from that with my construction company. And although the mayors job is listed and paid as a part time position, the duties take up more than 40 hours per week minimum. Even with the awesome team we have working at city hall. There are some things that only I can handle so it requires a lot of driving back and forth whenever we have projects out of town. I still very much enjoy watching God open and close doors to direct us in the right way. 

Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed; like today when one of my dump trucks got into an accident while in Alexandria. I have to remind myself not to overlook the miracles that happen everyday. Yes my truck was in a wreck but no one was injured. It was not my drivers fault and within 2 hours we were able to fix the truck and go back to work. 

One of my close friends that lives in Tyler Texas owns and runs my favorite motocross track. Trey and his wife are a Godly family that teach their children to work and be thankful. Last weekend two of his sons were assisting him dumping 120 trash cans from the fourth celebrations. Unfortunately their  nine year old son fell in between the truck and the trailer and broke both of his legs and pelvis. When Trey text me about it he was quick to give God thanks that he didn’t hit his head or receive any injury that would not heal or cause permanent damage. He said “I thank God for this miracle.” Wow that statement made me feel small. 

Lord I pray “God help me to recognize all that you do for us and not complain about what I can’t control.”

Your Mayor, 

Rick Allen