The most startling comment, in my view, was made by Rick Hazelwood, a candidate for Jefferson County school board. Hazelwood and his opponent were asked what they would do about the low test scores of students in the southwest part of Jefferson County. Hazelwood responded that low test scores and student achievement are the result of poverty. His solution would be to tear down the entire Iroquois Homes housing project off Taylor Boulevard and force those folks to move to "other parts of the county". In other words, the poor, mostly African-American kids in Iroquois Homes are dragging down the test scores at schools in that area, so they should be forced to move and attend school in other areas of the county. Hazelwood admitted that his remarks probably weren't politically correct, but they drew some applause. For what it's worth, former mayor Dave Armstrong talked about seeking federal money to tear down Iroquois Homes and build a Park DuValle-like neighborhood there. I believe Mayor Abramson has the same idea but hasn't asked for federal funding until the Clarksdale housing project is gone and rebuilt into apartments and homes.