Jackson Free Press

April 27, 2005

Ward 7 Democratic incumbent Margaret Barrett Simon will be facing two other contenders in the upcoming May 3 primaries, and neither of them are particularly new to politics. Minister Dr. Leon Horne Sr. and Jackson International Airport sky captain George Foster have been frequent faces in the chambers of Jackson's City Hall, and both are known for making biting speeches before the council. They brought their big ideas with them to the April 25 forum at Rowan Middle School, the final forum before the primaries.

"This city needs to be a city where businesses want to relocate," said Foster, addressing a question on the promotion of business in the ward. "The city is going to have to be a city where property owners, residents and businesses, don't have to pay property tax."

Horne said businesses from outside the state were frequently turned away by a racist perception of the city and the state, partly due to too many references to racist past leaders.

"Jackson still has that reputation of Ross Barnett, James Eastland and John Stennis," Horne said.

Barrett Simon emphasized that the city was doing a lot to encourage business growth.

"This city is a work in progress. There are always things we could do, but I think we're doing what we need to do to maintain economic development in the city," she said.

The council's inability to work with the Hinds County Board of Supervisors has been a popular question in Ward forums citywide.

Foster said he would be willing to work with county officials, but communicated that he felt the city was more deserving of compliance from the county because of its larger contribution to county taxes.

"Because the city pays more taxes, the city should have a greater statement as to how county money is being used," he said.

Both Horne and Barrett Simon agreed.

"I think we are paying too much taxes to the county and getting too little back as a result," Horne said.

"I think it's incumbent upon all of us to…see where the money is being spent," said Barrett Simon. "The city of Jackson puts in 70 to 80 percent to the county and we're not getting a return on our dollar."

Crime, as with other debates, was another question that remained unavoidable.

Foster said he had a plan that would be successful but would probably prove unpopular at first, despite its workability.

"The first thing is a straight rule where anybody arrested for a misdemeanor will serve a minimum of 12 hours in jail before being eligible for bond. If you commit a felony where they have probable cause to arrest you—a 48 to 52-hour minimum. I would also require the city police department to report to the district attorney's office within 72 hours all the records and evidence collected (regarding a case.)"

Horne also emphasized the importance of neighborhood watch programs, but also called upon the council to more thoroughly "challenge" young people.

"We have to challenge our young people much more than we've been challenging in terms of their intellectual capacity, not just in school but in sports and every other area," he said, calling for the construction of more recreational facilities.

Barrett, meanwhile, said the city was already on the right path.

"To fully address crime will take the involvement of every citizen," Barrett said. "We begin that in neighborhood associations; we begin with community policing; we fully staff our police department—this is the direction I think we're going in. We have a lot of work to do. (Crime is) not just a perception. It's real. Ask anyone who's been a victim."