Jackson Free Press

Move Over, Austin

In a national survey of American cities with more than 100,000 people, Jackson ranked the 42nd most liberal out of 236. The survey, conducted by the Bay Area Center for Voting Research (votingresearch.org) showed Jackson edging out liberal icons like Austin, Texas (92) and Athens, Ga. (97). Sadly, Jackson did not score higher than Memphis, Tenn. (38) or Seattle, Wash. (16), to say nothing of Berkeley, Calif. (3). The most liberal city was Detroit, Mich.

The survey ranked cities by the 2004 presidential election.

Among the most conservative cities were Oklahoma City, Okla. (21), Colorado Springs, Colo. (6) and Lubbock, Texas (2). The most conservative city was Provo, Utah.

The South was the most conservative region. Seven of the top 25 mostconservative cities are in the South—five of them in Texas or Florida.

How can a Southern capital like Jackson be among the most liberal cities? The short answer is race. The top 25 liberal cities are 40 percent Africa-American and just 41 percent white, on average. Top conservative cities average 76 percent white and only 6 percent African American. The most conservative city, Provo, is 89 percent white. Jackson is 71 percent African American.

Ole Miss at Front of Party Pack

Ole Miss ranks fifth among party schools, according to the Princeton Review. The survey, which rates schools on consumption of hard liquor, beer and marijuana, among other qualities, rated the 361 "best colleges." The University of Austin at Texas won first place, beating out last year's winner, the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Brigham Young University was the most "stone cold sober" for the ninth straight year.
— Brian Johnson

New Bus Route for Fondren

The Jackson City Council voted 5-0 this week to approve a new public transportation system serving the Fondren area. The Fondren Express will consist of a remolded Steel Magnolia trolley that will run a circuit between local hospitals and the businesses and restaurants of the Fondren area.

Alan French, of Fondren's Real Estate Solutions, said he devised the idea to combat a growing parking problem.

"Who knows how many times people come to Fondren, but the parking lots are full? People come here from the hospital and other places to get away from things, to shop and eat, but they may not want to walk the distance they have to travel to get here. We want to make it easier for them," Alan said.

"I think it's going to mean a lot to the businesses in Fondren," said Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon, adding that she personally hoped to extend the transit route to other areas of the city.

French said the route will be partially funded by advertising on all sides of the bus, so passengers should only have to pay about 75 cents to ride.
— Adam Lynch

No Plan, But a Planner

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton promised to deliver a strategic plan for Jackson in his State of the City address. This week, he found someone to help him assemble it. Former Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jayne Sargent is currently a consultant with the city's Human and Cultural Services Department, but Melton tapped her to help chart a roadmap for the city's future, naming her director of strategic planning for the city.

Melton told WAPT that he gave a second job to Sargent because he didn't consider himself the planning type.

"I don't have time to sit down and write 15 pages of a bunch of garbage," Melton told WAPT. "I'm going to get out here and make sure that it gets done."

Sargent told the JFP that the new duty comes with no pay increase.
— Adam Lynch

Flood Fix On the Way

Council members voted to begin work on the flood problem at the Rainbow co-op this week. At least three businesses face regular flooding from water pouring down the steep incline along Fondren Place.

President Ben Allen and Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon championed city intervention, and the council voted 4-0 to build a drain grate to re-route floodwater. The work should cost the city about $5,000. "They're starting work tomorrow," Allen said.
— Adam Lynch

Alcorn President Dies at 57

Alcorn State University President Clinton Bristow collapsed and died while jogging on Saturday, just two days before the start of classes. Bristow, 57, apparently suffered a heart attack. "He was a great role model for African-American men," Alcorn's student government President Larry Duncan told the Biloxi Sun-Herald. "He taught us to reach for the top so we can succeed."
— Brian Johnson

Previous Comments

ID

66761

Comment

I'm glad that Jane Sargent didn't accept a pay increase for her "second assignment." What has she done with the first? Dr. Sargent gave fm the plan to melton but, according to 12 News this am., "He didn't like it." Now it is scheduled to be released sometime in October. What a MESS!

Author

justjess

Date

2006-08-31T09:23:12-06:00

ID

66762

Comment

If Mrs. Sargent cares at all about how she's viewed in history she will take off running from FM.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-08-31T09:35:55-06:00

ID

66763

Comment

Monday Dr. Sargent said to the city council that the plan would not be forthcoming until October. How could she give the plan to FM on Wednesday for him to dislike if there is no plan available until October?

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2006-08-31T09:42:25-06:00

ID

66764

Comment

I'm guilty of listening to the press. Channel 3 or 16 said Melton has received the plan and wasn't satisfied or ready to release it to the press. I'm willing to listen to and believe Sargent if that's what she said.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-08-31T09:53:04-06:00

ID

66765

Comment

There is usually no video of City Council Work Sessions.

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2006-08-31T09:56:50-06:00