Jackson Free Press

(Jackson)— Jackson mayoral candidate, Frank Melton, voiced his concern today over Mayor Harvey Johnson's announcement Friday of seven of his eight picks for the convention center commission. "The mayor has dragged this out for entirely too long," said Melton. "The commission should have been announced weeks ago."

The announcement of the commission came after weeks of controversy and friction between the mayor and the MetroJackson Chamber of Commerce. "It seems that there has been a difference of opinion between the mayor and the chamber board," said Melton. The chamber submitted four names for consideration for two spots on the commission, yet Johnson only selected one. The one he chose, Eddie Maloney of Cowboy Maloney's Electric City stores apparently told Johnson several days ago that he declined the appointment. In a Clarion-Ledger report, Johnson said he initially rejected the chamber's nominations because he said they lacked diversity.

"There is no reason for Mayor Johnson to have delayed his announcement of the commission," said Melton. "People in the business community are frustrated and have pressured Johnson to name his picks. People want the commission to be established so they can start making the decisions needed to get the project started."

Melton went on to say that many believe that Johnson may be procrastinating. The legislature has ruled that the MetroJackson Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Mississippi Hotel and Lodging Association and the Hospitality and Restaurant Association, shall each nominate four people. >From those nominated from each group, Johnson was supposed to have pick two people, as well as naming two at-large commission members. Governor Haley Barbour was also given authority to select a commission member. His selection is Steven Rogers, president of Parkway Properties.

With Johnson's announcement of the commission on Friday, seven of the nine members are in place. "There is no excuse not to have a functioning convention center commission in place by now," said Melton. "For Jackson to move forward with this project, Mayor Johnson needs to focus on the task at hand."

Melton For Mayor Leadership for Jackson 555 Tombigbee Street, 2 nd Floor Jackson, MS 39201 (601) 965-1309 (o) (601) 965-1312 (f) [e-mail missing]