Cleveland Loses Respected Alderman

By David Johnson

The CNL

Burke passes away Saturday in Southhaven hospital

The city of Cleveland lost one of its most outstanding citizens Saturday, as alderman Norman Burke passed away in a Southaven hospital.

Burke, who represented the city's Second Ward, had been battling a lengthy illness.

Burke, 63, was also well known as the longtime and highly-regarded band director at East Side High School.

Sources say Burke died in his sleep at approximately 4:30 a.m. Saturday morning. He had recently been transfered to Baptist Medical Center in Southaven after a lengthy stay in a Jackson hospital. He was undergoing rehabilitation in Southaven, according to sources.

"I am very sorry to hear it," said Cleveland mayor David Work. "His wife called me at about seven o'clock this morning. I'm going to miss him.

"I thought a lot of Norman. I enjoyed working with him. He was a good alderman."

Funeral arrangements had not been announced prior to The CNL press time Saturday night.

Burke's colleagues on the board echoed the mayor's sympathy and warm regards for Burke.

"He enjoyed life, and he particularly enjoyed his work," said Ward 1 alderman Maurice Smith. "He enjoyed making music. When he was in that environment, he had all the enthusiasm of a youngster.

"I'm going to miss him. I sat right next to him at the board table."

Cleveland police chief Charles "Buster" Bingham ordered flags at the police station to fly at half staff Saturday in memory of Burke.

"He was a 100 percent supporter of the police department," Bingham said. "I respected that man a whole lot. He always gave you a straight answer. The entire department's condolences go out to his family. It's a tragic loss for our city. His shoes will be very difficult to fill."

Ward 6 alderman Ted Campbell praised Burke for standing up for his constituents.

"He was a man who spoke what was on his mind," Campbell related. "He had a very loud voice when it came to issues within his ward. He's going to be missed. I am very saddened by his death, and I know that all of his constituents will miss him tremendously."

Burke did not attend the December and January meetings of the city board due to his illness.

It was unknown Saturday whether or not the Cleveland board of aldermen would vote to appoint someone to fulfill the remaining five months of Burke's term. A new representative for Ward 2 will be elected in the May 5 Democratic primary. Mary Carter and Robert Sanders have each qualified to run in Ward 2.