Jackson Free Press

A Planet Weekly columnist this week endorses Mayor Johnson and rips Frank Melton and some of his supporters:

Another big problem with Melton's campaign is that, plain and simply speaking, he ain't a Democrat. He made a statement – reported in the Jackson Free Press – that the only way an African-American could be elected is to be a Democrat. He has since denied saying it. Fair enough, but let's look at where the money is coming from. Melton's campaign is in full gear, the machinery is certainly humming away and what is fueling it is money – much of it allegedly coming from that bastion of Republicanism, Madison County. In fact, Leland Speed, the head of the Mississippi Development Association, is a vocal Melton supporter with the deep pockets to help finance a mayoral campaign. He has long been known for his vitriolic dislike of Mayor Johnson, so it comes as no surprise to anyone that he would back Melton. But it's representative of the Republicans in the area who are supporting him. The fact is, the way it's happening, Melton looks like a shill for the Republican Party – which should offend Republican candidate Rick Whitlow to no end, unless he's just a shadow candidate, a way to give credence to the general election.

One thing that the Melton campaign is seizing on are people to whom Mayor Johnson has refused to – how shall I say it? – kiss butt. Jeff Good, the owner of Bravo and Broad Street, was a vocal supporter of Mayor Johnson and the Convention Center Referendum. Now, though, Good has changed his tune and declares Frank Melton the man for the job. It's a bit funny, until you realize that Good made known his desire – to everyone around him – to be on the Convention Center board. He didn't get it. It makes you wonder. Did he whore out his political beliefs spitefully to get back at a mayor that didn't give him the position he wanted, or did he jump on the coattails of other restaurateurs at that time to get himself a boatload of free P.R.? Either way, he comes across as opportunistic.

So if it's a puppet candidate you want, supported by opportunists and financed by angry out-of-town Republicans, vote Melton. But if you want the man who has brought more development to Jackson than at any time in history, and the man who has worked to control crime in this city, there's only one thing you can do.

Vote Johnson.

Previous Comments

ID

137420

Comment

This column is interesting, I must say, leaving a bit of whiplash from those guys going from no coverage at all to a column this loaded. As you can see, the authoróby the way, who writes these under a pseudonymóunloads hard on Speed and Good, but seemingly without having talked to them. As for Good, to be fair, he has stated a number of reasons in the pastóboth to me and in public statementsófor supporting Melton that didn't have anything to do with the Convention Center board (or "whoring" or "kissing butt," as this writer puts it), although it is clear Good wasn't happy about how that transpired. Also, let's slow down and Truth Watch this fly-by statement about Leland Speed: He has long been known for his vitriolic dislike of Mayor Johnson, so it comes as no surprise to anyone that he would back Melton. Two questions: I would love to see examples of the "vitriolic dislike" of Johnson; it may well be true, or not, but a loaded statement like that about a person deserves to be backed up with quotes and facts. Also, does anyone know if Leland Speed himself is on record supporting Melton, yet? I know his wife hosted the ladies' event at Bravo I covered (she greeted me), and his sons and their wives hosted the Fondren Corner fund raising event. But is Leland himself officially on the record? Or, is this an assumption? And is it accurate to say that it comes as "no surprise," being that Leland seems to support downtown development much more than Melton does?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-04-14T12:20:58-06:00

ID

137421

Comment

Agreed 100%, Donna. I know Jeff Good, and whenever I read a smear against somebody I know it really gives me a bad impression of the way journalism tends to work. Uncharitable assumptions don't help anyone. What I don't get is why Whitlow isn't landing on Melton, because Melton is basically running on his platform and would easily clean up in a one-on-one race for that reason (getting the Democratic vote and the unaffiliated get-tough-on-crime vote, which is--let's face it--the core of the Republican vote in Jackson right now anyway). Against Johnson, Whitlow could at least be the candidate for change. Against Melton, there would be two candidates for change, and one of them would be a Democrat who is regarded as an outspoken gangbuster. Whitlow would be lucky to get 30 percent of the vote in that situation, much less 40. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2005-04-14T20:17:13-06:00

ID

137422

Comment

Yeah, this editorial is very loaded and takes shots at Good and Speed that are not necessary. They could have made their point without getting too personal.

Author

tortoise

Date

2005-04-14T20:46:09-06:00

ID

137423

Comment

Agreed. My personal ethic is that you challenge individuals using your own name and after talking to them if at all possible and then use actual quotes or facts to support your accusations. And the "whore out" comment is, well, remarkable to make about someone, especially while using a pseudonym. It reminds me of the time this writer called the JFP "cowardly" for criticizing The Clarion-Ledgeróhe wrote that using a pseudonym! Let's just say it's not a textbook definition of "fair" journalism. And for the record, I haven't seen this writer at a single mayoral event or discussion, or anyone else from that paper. The point there is that politicals columnists (a) report and (b) don't log "whore" insults from behind fake names. Really, truly bad form.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-04-15T10:37:36-06:00