Jackson Free Press

The mood in the House on Feb. 8 was affable, as it had been throughout most of the Legislative session since it opened in January. Lawmakers passed more than 10 bills in a row with only minimal argument and a healthy smattering of jokes.

Then, it was Jackson's turn.

Tempers rose with the arrival of HB 284, particularly over the announcement of an attached amendment. The original bill, authored by Rep. John Reeves, R-Jackson, sought to reform the Hinds County 911 Emergency Commission, giving the city of Jackson five representatives on the commission instead of the current two. An amendment to the bill then sought an additional two seats for Jackson on the commission, to give the city a total of seven representatives, in accordance with the proportion of money the city puts into the commission's fund.

Some Hinds County delegates representing communities outside Jackson took offense to the amendment.

"They're looking to put seven members of the board from Jackson, with only 13 members making up the board," said Rep. Jim Ellington, R-Raymond. "The other six members of the board needn't even bother showing up. The city of Jackson has enough for a quorum. They have all the votes, and the rest of them just need to stay home. This is not fair."

"People all across this county need 911 service, not just the people of Jackson, and, therefore, they all need representation," said Rep. Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, who also stood against the amendment.

Shouts came from Reeves, however, who railed against county representatives.

"I introduced this bill to address a problem in Jackson, and some of my friends from Hinds are beating up on me about it," Reeves shouted. "Well, let me tell you something. I live in Jackson. I didn't run off to the suburbs! I stayed in Jackson to make it a good place. … I have been there. I have done it. I have paid the price to be able to talk about this! Seventy percent of the tax money that's paid to the commission comes from Jackson. What in the world is wrong with giving Jackson the majority on the commission?"

House members representing areas outside Hinds County watched in perplexed amusement as their brethren representing the cities of Jackson, Bolton, Clinton and other Hinds County communities tore into one another after hours of peaceful voting.

Those other representatives could not be blamed for their ignorance. This was an insider's war, after all, with tendrils reaching into the Jackson City Council, the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, the Jackson Police Department, the County Sheriff and the E-911 Commission, led by Larry Fisher.

The Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted Feb. 6 to approve the E-911 Council's recommendation of an emergency communication system built by Motorola for the city of Jackson, beginning a new chapter in the ongoing war over whether or not Jackson should forsake thousands of dollars of investment in its M/A-com system in favor of a Motorola system, which can communicate with many of the surrounding counties—but may not prove compatible with what the state and the Department of Homeland Security have in mind to ensure that agencies can communicate during times of grave emergency.

Last year, supervisors and council members gathered up their respective county and city law enforcement officials and paired off against one another over the same fight. The county recommends Jackson adopt a Motorola system. Some Jackson officials say they want to keep their M/A-com system, with a patch to allow it to talk to surrounding counties, at least until the state comes up with its own recommendations.

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton last week switched sides in that war, initially saying he would stand behind whatever the county supervisors decided, but then changing his mind hours after the Feb. 6 vote, saying he was now in favor of waiting for the state to issue its recommendation.

Ward 1 Councilman Ben Allen and some other council members, along with former Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. and former Police Chief Robert Moore, had complained that the 911 board is unfairly shoving decisions down the throats of Jacksonians without fair city representation on the 911 board.

Reeves referred to the supervisors' recent decision in his rant.

"This week (the supervisors) voted to spend millions of dollars to buy a new system that's going to be outdated in two years, so we'll have to buy it again. That's the shenanigans that are going on, and the mayor of Jackson doesn't have a single choice on it," Reeves said.

Rep. Erik Fleming, D-Clinton, said he thought the amendment went too far, and most representatives agreed with him, voting down the amendment with a 61-to-44 vote against.

No representatives took a side against the original bill authorizing five Jackson seats on the board, however. That vote passed with a unanimous 118 votes in support and three votes absent.

Meanwhile the saga between the city and the county continues. Last week, Allen said M/A-com had offered a patch at no extra cost to the city until the state provides its own system.

"The free system will allow the different systems to communicate with one another, just like this $8 million system that the county is talking about putting in," Allen said last week, adding that he was also looking into the E-911 fund to see how money is being spent.

"We requested an official Mississippi Public Open Records Act accountability of the entire 911 commission, and we hand-delivered the letter at 8 a.m. this morning (Feb. 6) to the Chancery Clerk's office. We're fixin' to bust their books wide open," Allen said.

Previous Comments

ID

65207

Comment

Everybody, be sure to read this. I just *love* Reeve's quotes: “I introduced this bill to address a problem in Jackson, and some of my friends from Hinds are beating up on me about it,” Reeves shouted. “Well, let me tell you something. I live in Jackson. I didn’t run off to the suburbs! I stayed in Jackson to make it a good place. … I have been there. I have done it. I have paid the price to be able to talk about this! Seventy percent of the tax money that’s paid to the commission comes from Jackson. What in the world is wrong with giving Jackson the majority on the commission?” I love being proud of a Mississippi Republican. I hope it keeps happening; something does seem to be in the air.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-02-15T21:45:43-06:00

ID

65208

Comment

The offer for a donation of "system remedies" was delivered (and accepted) by the Mayor today. At no charge to the City, MA/COM has offered the City 2 options for metro "interoperability" and until the State RFP's are issued and in place. We just saved $8.5M if the Supervisors rescind their vote and now can use that $ on State of the Art equipment on State systems soon. Details will be in the C/L tomorrow. Too late tonight to illuminate. Will follow up then.

Author

Ben Allen

Date

2006-02-15T23:17:59-06:00

ID

65209

Comment

Ben, this is great news. This story deserves a happy ending. And let me say I'm pretty doggone proud of this Reeves guy myself. Good on him. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-02-16T03:57:27-06:00

ID

65210

Comment

Fisher turned the donation down.

Author

Rex

Date

2006-02-16T09:31:16-06:00

ID

65211

Comment

What is his DEAL!?! I mean, literally: What is his DEAL!?!

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-02-16T11:08:18-06:00

ID

65212

Comment

This morning I attended a Hinds County Board of Supervisors meeting during which a debate over whether to rescind the Board's Feb 6 vote was put forth by Supervisor Calhoun, who apparently was siding with the City in that she felt it best to wait until the City and the State could form a consensus on what system to endorse. Supervisor Anderson was visibly upset that this issue was being brought to the table, and seemed angry that Calhoun was pushing this issue. Anderson all but stated that the City's system was inferior to Motorola and that JPD has problems communicating with each other within the limits of Jackson, let alone neighboring counties, using the MaCom system. He seems to think that switching over to the MaCom system, particularly one loaned to the county in order to communicate with the City of Jackson, would be a bad move. Ultimately the county voted to delay their endorsement to give the City more time to study the issue and await a decision from the state. What was interesting to me though, is Councilman Bluntson and JPD Chief Shirlene Anderson came to the meeting and apparently she seemed to be ok with the Motorola endorsement by the county, acknowledging that there are problems with the City's system. What's more, she suggested that Mayor Melton was also in agreement with the county, and Supr. Anderson also stated that Melton supported the county's vote. What gives? And why weren't you at the Board meeting, Councilman Allen, since you are the most vocal opponent of the county's desires to endorse and keep the Motorola system?

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-02-21T18:36:39-06:00

ID

65213

Comment

ejeff... I was not at their meeting (and am surprised that Shirleen or Bluntson were) for the same reason they will not be at our meeting tonite....protocol. Melton DOES NOT support this purchase....and if he did he would be wrong. Stay tuned. I am tired of arguing this issue. The STATE RFP'S will go out MARCH 2. It only makes sense to wait.

Author

Ben Allen

Date

2006-02-21T18:44:35-06:00

ID

65214

Comment

BTW...the Motorola system does not have "Data" capability. The new systems will. This is another big issue. Their new state wide proposal will , I will guarantee you.

Author

Ben Allen

Date

2006-02-21T18:47:12-06:00

ID

65215

Comment

To them (Motorola and supporters), it makes sense to hurry and beat that March 2 deadline so Motorala gets it moola, doesn't it? Ben, are you positive you're not being snookered? It sounds obvious, to me, that Mr. Melton and his right-hand councilman, Mr. Bluntson, and his obedient police chief are talking about both sides of their mouths here. Are you sure they're not just saying what you want to hear to keep you from speaking up too much!?! We're hearing two completely things from you and from others Mr. Melton talks to about this. No surprise, I know, but there is *so much* at stake over this.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-02-21T18:48:14-06:00

ID

65216

Comment

Also, isn't Mr. Anderson one of Mr. Melton's long-time supporters? Is the mayor really going to go against Mr. Anderson's wishes here?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-02-21T18:50:30-06:00

ID

65217

Comment

I will know for sure in 1 hour...have Council meeting at 6...the rubber will meet the road then...But hell yes I am confused by some of this as well. Later..I will report back.

Author

Ben Allen

Date

2006-02-21T18:52:14-06:00

ID

65218

Comment

I will know for sure in 1 hour...have Council meeting at 6...the rubber will meet the road then...But hell yes I am confused by some of this as well. Later..I will report back.

Author

Ben Allen

Date

2006-02-21T18:52:17-06:00

ID

65219

Comment

The City Council will, at a special Council meeting at 10 A.M. Friday, pass a resolution thanking the Board of Supervisers for their 4-1 (Anderson) vote to DELAY the purchase of $8.5 million in communication hardware pending the State issued RFP'S.

Author

Ben Allen

Date

2006-02-21T21:19:34-06:00

ID

65220

Comment

Ben, if this is what it sounds like, kudos to all of you for a job well done! Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-02-21T21:42:11-06:00

ID

65221

Comment

Whoa, that sounds like great news. Job well done, folks, especially you, councilman. Also, Ben, did you see this letter from John Wilson in the Ledge today? Is this accurate? I cannot understand, btw, why they would run this letter without context or factcheck. Why not use him for a source in a bigger story. I don't get their letters policy at all. It's one of the worst parts of the Ledge, and that's saying something.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-02-22T12:25:31-06:00