On Monday evening the NAACP and United Auto Staff union donated cash to assist Mason with its utility fund reimbursement efforts. 

“It’s good to see you’re making progress on doing nice issues to your city,” Tennessee State Convention NAACP President Gloria Candy-Love stated. “We’ve stated from the start we are going to stand with you and we are going to proceed to do this.” 

Candy-Love stated partnerships and coalitions are necessary when making cities and organizations work. 

The UAW’s Thomas Savage of Cookeville introduced the $5,100 test, telling Mason’s elected officers that although UAW’s members weren’t but on the bottom working at Blue Oval Metropolis, they have been supporting Mason. 

“They got here by,” he stated. “They’re not right here but, however they’re right here. When labor and nice organizations, just like the NAACP, and like-minded people like we’re speaking about right this moment … that’s the way you get a civil rights motion.”

In February, state comptroller Jason Mumpower visited and inspired the city to give up its constitution after years of economic mismanagement. Metropolis leaders stated the state was focusing on a majority Black city within the midst of latest trade coming in with Blue Oval Metropolis, which started a months-long course correction dialogue with the state. 

The city estimated as of June 30, 2021, the final fund and the gasoline fund collectively owed the water and sewer fund $598,019. They used $227,000 in American Restoration Plan Act funds to start reimbursement and have been making month-to-month funds since Could. 

Along with ARPA and Monday’s donation, UAW donated $5,100 this spring and a GoFundMe raised roughly $17,000 to assist with repaying the funds. 

“Mason issues and that’s the topic and it does matter,” Savage stated. “We wish you to know that the UAW doesn’t do a drive-by in your neighborhood. We’re right here and we wish you to find out about us even earlier than they pour the footing.” 

Mason’s metropolis leaders will host a city corridor occasion on Saturday, from 1-Three p.m. at Cedar Grove Baptist Church, to replace residents on the monetary state of affairs.