Jackson Free Press

It seems that concern is growing over at The Clarion-Ledger for their hand-picked choice for mayor. Editorial Director David Hampton writes today:

I am worried about Mayor Frank Melton. When it comes to elected officials, I usually am more worried about the taxpayers. Jackson actually is rolling along fine right now, but the mayor, well, that's another matter. He appears to be going from crisis to crisis and creating a few himself.

When Jacksonians turn on the 6-o'clock news, they are likely to see Mayor Melton either (1) walking around with a gun and a bullet-proof vest, and/or (2) declaring that he's "not going to put up" with (fill in the blank) anymore.

Meanwhile, back at City Hall, more than 50 people have been fired, City Council members complain that the mayor won't talk with them and the mayor's staunchest supporters are getting that worried, "what-have-we-done" look.

With Melton, what you see is what you get, so voters shouldn't be surprised that he is out aggressively tackling the problems he sees as important. After all, he said he was "not going to put up with (fill in the blank) anymore" on numerous occasions.

OK, the part that befuddles me is what evidence, or actions, or comments during the campaign, or in Mr. Melton's past in Jackson that Hampton has observed for many years, told him that this mayor would be any different from this? Was he in town for the campaign???

His paper wasn't. They were on a long sabattical from reporting actual news.

Previous Comments

ID

120820

Comment

As a bit of a reminder of the responsibility that Mr. Hampton's paper shares in all this, I'll also post excerpt of an editor's note from 1999 by then-Clarion-Ledger executive editor David Petty. I posted it yesterday under's Todd's publisher's note last week about executive editor Ronnie's Agnew's demonstration of the Ledger's "Cult of Irresponsibility". Here's what Mr. Petty wrote then (responding to then-D.A. Ed Peters' latest scandal, BTW): Pursuing the whole story Recently, in this space we talked about the Principles of Ethical Conduct that have been adopted by all newspapers of the Gannett Co., Inc. One of the principles that we are committed to is: "Seeking and reporting the truth in a truthful way." To effectively do that, one of the things we must do is be persistent in pursuit of the whole story. Obviously, there will be some days when we will have a report that is less than the full story. Space, time, the availability of outside sources and newspaper resources will all play a part in the completeness of the article that we give readers. Telling the whole story commits us to keep trying to get it. As an example, The Clarion-Ledger did not have the complete story on the City Council bribery cases when it first broke the story, but few would fault us in our pursuit of the whole story. In fact, many of the facts reported in this newspaper were news to the prosecutors. So, to get the whole story you keep after it. You keep it before the readers. You develop "update" columns which we have in The Clarion-Ledger and other devices to not let incomplete stories die. Truth will emerge Walter Winchell, the famous late syndicated columnist, once said: "The theory of a free press is that the truth will emerge from free reporting and free discussion, not that it will be presented perfectly and instantly in any one account."

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-08T11:20:14-06:00

ID

120821

Comment

Jackson actually is rolling along fine right now, The problem with this statement, of course, is all of the hard work by past public servants, private citizens and private investment that Mr. Melton seems intent on derailing. There is no "rolling along," Mr. Hampton, if his antics keep up. The good developers and private money will run kicking and screaming from this city, and none will take its place because they don't want to run the risk of suddenly being defamed in the media by Mr. Melton because he suddenly wanted to rant about somebody and their number came up. That is, you cannot separate the health of the city from a mayor who is causing so much trouble for so many people, and engaging in goofy antics without thought to how it's going to effect us all. Be worried about the city, too, Mr. Hampton. Of course, you should have thought about this months ago, but better late than never. I suppose.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-08T11:30:01-06:00

ID

120822

Comment

And for historical reference, here are excerpts from the Ledger's endorsement of Mr. Melton: But there could not be two more different individuals when it comes to style, leadership abilities and priorities. The question is: What kind of leadership is best for Jackson? We believe Frank Melton offers the type of dynamic leadership Jackson needs to help it move ahead and thrive at this point in the city's history. While Johnson is excellent at planning and handling the mundane details of municipal government, he has not tended to the big picture. And, tending to the big picture means aggressively attacking Jackson's No. 1 issue — crime. While the mayor is correct in his assertions that crime has dropped statistically (as it has nationwide) and that there are more police on the streets, crime still is the major hindrance to economic development and quality of life and the major contributor to suburban flight. Whether hard numbers or perceptions, the effect is the same. Questions about public safety undermine Jackson's best efforts. Johnson has a fine five-point crime plan, but a lethargic police leadership that does not instill confidence. [...] Jackson needs a mayor who will make crime-fighting a priority, will not tolerate crime in any form and will instill public confidence — that the city's law enforcement officials are doing all they possibly can to keep the public safe. There is renewed interest for investment and economic development in Jackson. The city needs someone who is willing to communicate and work with the business community, and be a cheerleader for growth and development. This pent-up demand for development awaits only a hint of support and encouragement from the city's leadership. [...] This newspaper has not always agreed with Melton. He tends to shoot from the hip and, at times, relies too heavily on the force of his personality. But no one can doubt his motivations, commitment and dogged work ethic. Melton exudes action and this city needs action. Jackson needs to dash ahead and not continue to plod. There may be questions or disagreements about what Melton may do, but at least we know he will do something. Frank Melton offers strong, dynamic, decisive leadership. We recommend Frank Melton in the Democratic Primary for Jackson mayor. (I was going to post a link to Mr. Hampton's recent column saying the paper would endorse Mr. Melton—and Mr. Bush—again, but their site's redesign is so pitiful that I can't find it. Oh well.)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-08T11:36:00-06:00

ID

120823

Comment

OK, a teachable compare-and-contrast moment: Ledge endorsement of Melton: While Johnson is excellent at planning and handling the mundane details of municipal government, he has not tended to the big picture. And, tending to the big picture means aggressively attacking Jackson's No. 1 issue — crime. Editorial director Hampton today on Melton: He is acting "imperial" in a job that frankly doesn't have that much juice to be imperial. He needs to pay attention to details. He needs to think before he speaks. He needs to have a plan before he acts. And while we're on the topic, how's that "No. 1 issue" of crime-fighting going, Ledge? And at what point are you boys going to admit that you were flat wrong about fighting crime being the most important, "no. 1 issue" over economic development? Or that you hyped the "perception" comments of Chief Moore that were aimed at bad media coverage into something he never said in order to help defeat an administration you did not like? I truly believe you all owe this city an apology for how astray *your paper* has led the people of Jackson. They believed what *you* and your buddies in the mainstream media told them about Mr. Melton. Take some responsibility here for your bad and biased media coverage. YOU got what you wanted. Now don't furrow your brow and start telling us you're "worried" about reaping what you sowed.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-08T11:50:51-06:00

ID

120824

Comment

Mr. Melton promised to focus on crime fighting, and whether you believe it or not, higher incidents of crime does discourage economic development. As a Melton supporter during the election, I certainly did not think his campaign antics would continue after the election. The editorial staff of the Clarion Ledger and other newspapers that supported Melton were perfectly within their rights in expressing their opinion and trying to place blame on any organization or person is just not productive at this point in time. We need to make Melton aware that he is accountable for his actions and over the top behavior will not be tolerated.

Author

realtime

Date

2006-01-08T14:02:35-06:00

ID

120825

Comment

It's not a matter of believing, realtime. The fact is that economic development also reduces crime. Cities that take a smart approach to making themselves better do not delay economic development because of crime because they have done enough homework to know that eco-devo helps reduce crime. That's what made the Ledge's mantra about the "no. 1 issue" so ridiculous. You don't necessarily expect every reader to understand the give-and-take connection between crime and eco-devo, but you should expect a newspaper with the sort of resources that the Gannett Corp. has to do their basic homework. Many of the biggest success stories in the country, crime-wise, have been strongly connected to eco-devo efforts. So listen to me carefully: I'm not saying that eco-devo is an issue and crime is not. I'm saying that it is extremely naive and uneducated to argue that eco-devo will not and cannot work until all the crime is gone. That, frankly, just sounds like dumb hick talk. And The Ledger said that kind of stuff over and over again in their rush to sensationalize crime (which they seem to think is the only thing that gets their paper picked up. And perhaps they're right, at least considering how little else of substance they put in it). And with due respect, why wouldn't you have thought his antics would continue? It's how he acted at MBN as a public servant. Nobody said they weren't "in their rights" -- no one is suing here. However, that doesn't mean they showed us good journalism. That's the issue. It's not about "placing blame" -- it is about holding a very powerful international corporation responsible for what it is and is not telling its readers about its choice for mayor. Like, say, that they knew he had lied under oath about not leaking them the memo against the MBN agents when they endorsed him. And they just haven't told the public they're being sued, too, including the metro editor who was over the coverage of the mayoral race. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. And if the public did not have enough information about Mr. Melton, which they didn't, because of poor media coverage by the mainstreams, then hell yeah we need to talk about it and hold their feet to the fire. We will continue to do that.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-08T14:13:51-06:00

ID

120826

Comment

However, I should add to you, realtime, that I applaud you for thinking for yourself on this issue and judging Mr. Melton's performance on its merits, rather than excusing anything he does, no matter what, because you endorsed him. A few people are doing that, but it seems their ranks are shrinking. I've said it before, and I've said it again: Had Mr. Melton gotten into the office and become the dream mayor so many people expcted, and done things right and legally and ethically, we would have supported him, too. As it is, he has done the predictable, based on his past history as a public servant, and worse. A sound bite about "fixing" crumbling housing and "curing" crime in 90 days sounds great. But it is the actions — the day-to-day "details," to borrow one of Mr. Hampton's favorite words — that matter when you run a city. Mr. Johnson was very good at those details and didn't scream enough for some people — largely, it seems, because so many thought that Mr. Melton's screaming over the years could translate into good public policy, even without evidence of that being the case. But, good reporting by the other media could have really helped educate people beyond the sound bites and rants. But it just wasn't there. Nada. They had their minds made up going into this campaign, and tailored everything they did to support their conclusion -- regardless of what the candidates actually said and did. That was irresponsible and led directly to where we are at this moment. It would be self-defeating to say, 'oh, don't blame the media," and allow them to think that the citizens of Jackson don't mind such terrible reporting and analysis. If we do that, they will not change. They may not anyway, being mega-corporations and all, but at least we can let them know that we're aware of how bad the reporting has been. And don't forget that Mr. Agnew told us last Sunday how much they enjoy covering "Frank's" antics. So they're bad for the city and future development and investment? That's OK if it keeps it all fun and sensationalistic and people in Tupelo buy the Ledge to read about that stupid capital city. Hardy har har.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-08T14:23:27-06:00

ID

120827

Comment

And realtime, don't forget that crime fell more than 20 percent on the last chief's watch, and the "dangerous rankings" improved dramatically last year. Murder in Jackson was down 31 percent the first half of this year. Remind me again how the last administration was not seeing successes on the Ledge's "no. 1 issue" front. From where I sit, they were presiding over and had helped create the perfect climate for redevelopment, and it was happening. Now, Mr. Melton is trying to derail the development, send the developers packing, hide what's going on with crime, block the COMSTAT system, and fire dozens of people who have helped bring the change to Jackson so that, seemingly, he can be seen doing it all himself. Meantime, he is having to backtrack on just about every sound bite he puts on there because they're (a) illegal or (b) just not feasible. Hmmm. Wherever you sit on the crime-eco-devo connection, it ain't lookin' good these days. And for media oulets that were paying attention to Mr. Melton's words and qualifications and following him all over the place to hear him speak to different groups as we were, it was very apparent that he was going to be in vastly over his head as mayor, and that there was little about his particular set of interpersonal skills that indicated that he was going to be a "uniter" with good "leadership" skills. If we could see that with solid reporting, so could they. And it was the job of all of us journo types to tell you-the-reader -- it's called "civic journalism" -- so you could make educated decisions.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-08T14:33:45-06:00

ID

120828

Comment

Well, I am not a journalist, and I do not depend upon any newspaper to tell me how to vote, nor will I ever. In my opinion, the fact the Clarion Ledger supported Melton was not that significant in the last mayoral election. According to people who work closely in those neighborhoods, the people in inner city Jackson had already made up their minds long before the Clarion Ledger came out in support of Melton. The voters felt there was room for improvement in the Mayor's office and we have to respect that. You seem to have a personal "thing" for the Clarion Ledger. I am sure you realize that paper has changed vastly since being sold to Gannett. It is just a milked down version of what it used to be.

Author

realtime

Date

2006-01-08T17:33:16-06:00

ID

120829

Comment

No, it's not "personal," real time, except that as a member of the Fourth Estate, I hate to see what has happened to my industry due to corporatization. In a sense, both as a journalist and a citizen, I take that personally. And I know The Clarion-Ledger's history well. It did manage to have a couple good years, as people like to say, under Rea. However, I refuse to give up on it, regardless of its history or its owner. But allow me to explain why their coverage (or non-coverage) is so important in the case of Mr. Melton. It's not about whether or not they "endorsed" him ultimately. That is symbolic more than anything to me, because you're right that most of people had made up their minds by that point. (Although it is unbelievable that they endorsed him without mentioning how wound up together, and reliant on each other's testimony the case outcomes are, in those MBN lawsuits. No excuses there.) The overriding problem is what they did and did not decide to cover during the campaign and in the years leading up to it that affected what the community thought (a) about Mayor Johnson and (b) about Mr. Melton's ability to be a good mayor. And what other media (i.e. TV) did is important, too, but the major daily in any city has the power to influence greatly what TV do, even though too often these days they allow themselves to be swayed by the sensationalistic approaches of television. They should lead, not follow, because they have the space to explain much more than television does. And, face it, if you can't even get a daily newspaper to insist that its reporters do a better job of actual shoe-leather, in-your-face, heavy-research, hard-core reporting, then you're going to have a damn hard time getting TV journos in the same market to do the same thing. The daily newspaper *must* lead. But, in Jackson of late (and in the past, but we're focused here), The Clarion-Ledger has abdicated that news responsibility. That may not mean that you made your personal decision because of their endorsement, but it may mean that you did not get beyond your gut instinct that, say, Chief Moore had trivialized crime due to the Ledge's twisting and miscomprehension of his "perception" statement to the media about the media or that, say, Mr. Melton was going to tackle crime because he yelled a lot. Our job as media is not to stick our finger in the wind and see what the "majority" wants us to say. Our job is to get cold, hard facts and take the time to do the homework that everyday citizens do not have the time, or necessarily the tools or knowledge, to do. Then it is our jobs to present them without biasing them by leaving out part of the facts to make one side look better or embellishing them to make the other side look worse. That "evening up of the two sides" bias in its most nefarious and deceptive form, and a serious away that corporate media are affecting public policy by "helping" people who are unequipped get elected (also applies to Bush; he likely would never have been elected in the first place if the media had not "fair and balanced" him into an "equally" suitable candidate). This is sophisticated media literacy I'm urging, but it is vital in a time of corporate media. In the case of Johnson v. Melton, had The Clarion-Ledger, for instance, not perpetuated Perception-Gate™, reported more on Mr. Melton's past blunders and thumbing of the nose at laws and the Constitution, reported the complex relationship between fighting crime and economic development, really looked at Mr. Melton's residency issues from the very beginning, parsed his promises to see what actually could and could not be done (and asked questions like, "now which 'federal grants' specifically are going to pay for getting a new home for every needy person in Jackson, Mr. Melton?"), and other solid reporting techniques that should not intimidate any good reporter or editor, we might be a very different situation today.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-08T18:07:06-06:00

ID

120830

Comment

Here at the JFP, with our small cadre of determined folks, and very small resources, we are raising the standard for other journalism in the market; I promise you The Clarion-Ledger could do that as well, rather than continually lowering it. As far as "room for improvement" in the mayor's office, of course there was. There always will be. But in an important political race, the role of the media is to examine and report exactly what is going on there at the present, and what an incoming candidate would offer, and take away. The Clarion-Ledger, from the beginning, was not doing that. It apparently wanted "new blood" in there, no matter what scandal or controversy that "loose cannon" brought with it. And then last Sunday, in a rather unbelievable admission, Mr. Agnew told us all that that they like it this way because it keeps them busy. I promise you that there are PLENTY of stories in this city that could "keep them busy" if they bothered to do them, rather than go around handpicking the candidates who they believe will get the most newspaper sold, and then shaping the news to make sure it happens. I should also point out to you that our industry takes this kind of news-shaping to please the powerful very seriously. The Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics lists the following ethical pledges that are apropos to this discussion: * Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable. * Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage. Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other. * Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-08T18:07:14-06:00

ID

120831

Comment

BTW, I should add here out of fairness that the media, myself included, also did their fair share of rationalizing Bill Clinton's history as a serial liar whom his own family couldn't trust. I learned a huge lesson when the whole Lewinsky scandal broke—that I would not again sugarcoat, in my own head or in my work, signs that a candidate is going to be at the heart of a huge scandal (not to mention is a cad) in the future. That is, I should have looked squarely at the evidence in the Paula Jones situation and realized that Mr. Clinton had indeed sexually harassed "that woman" and abused his power to cover up his actions, and might just do the same kind of thing again. Which he did, in a slightly different form, ultimately opening the door to the whole nightmarish GOP "values" revolution. I'm ashamed of myself for voting for him and then not speaking out more at the time, especially to fellow progressives, but I did learn a lesson. Just because someone talks a good game does not mean that they have the integrity or honesty to be entrusted with such important positions. Let them go volunteer and invest their private money, but don't put them in positions of public trust unless they have earned the trust. Same thing goes for the Ledge and Melton's lying to that judge in Meridian about passing that memo to hurt those agents. They. Should. Have. Told. Us. This. Fact.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-08T18:27:27-06:00

ID

120832

Comment

Realtime, I believe that its the American way for everyone to have their own opinion. But when you make comments that only align yourself with Mr Hampton, I feel compelled to throw in my two cents worth also. I agree with Ladd in that crime is not the only issue that we need to address. We also must address the issue of economic development and planning. Our mayor has gotten into a pissing contest with the criminals to see who is the baddest lion in the den. He is only playing into their hands. With all of the businesses that we aer losing, we are only turning this city into a shell of a past great place to live. The only type of businesses that we seem to be attracting are Check Cashing stores, Pawn Shops, and fake jewelry stores. This is not how we want to grow. Has anyone considered that mayby the reason that no one wants to open a legitimate business here is because of the high criminal element, high taxes and declining population? There were many businesses that were displaced by Hurricane Katrina but have any of them wanted to come here to Jackson? Can you blame them? Have we made any national headlines in a positive light? I wonder how many people pass through here and look at the news and see OUR mayor walking around with armed guards and wearing a bulletproof vest declaring that he's not going to take it anymore. I would love to see the mayor put his job on the line for scrutiny as he has done with so many city employees lately and let the people vote on his production, or lack thereof. He has hired people that will suck up to him and not challenge his feeble idiotic decisions. He has hired people that no one else will. He has put our city employee payroll (the consultants) into a category that could probably match the city payroll of New York City. He dosen't seem to realize that if we do not start to turn things around with economic development, we will wind up as such cities as Gary IN and many others did in years past. It would probably earn him back some of the respect that he has lost if he would drop this dog and pony show and start to fulfill some of his campaign promises.

Author

lance

Date

2006-01-08T19:32:59-06:00

ID

120833

Comment

I wonder how many people pass through here and look at the news and see OUR mayor walking around with armed guards and wearing a bulletproof vest declaring that he's not going to take it anymore. Great comments all around, lance, but this one stood out for me. If we care about the future of this city, and its reputation to would-be residents (tax sources) and good investment, we've got to realize that Melton is sending the exact wrong message. Right now, he is the worst PR imaginable for this city. And lance is right that such images can turn us right into places that we don't want to be. Maybe Melton wants us to be that kind of place so he can run around playing juvenile cop games, but most of the rest of us want a world-class city with mixed-use development and strong commerce so we can compete with other cities and be proud of where we live.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-08T19:38:25-06:00

ID

120834

Comment

Another good one, lance: Our mayor has gotten into a pissing contest with the criminals to see who is the baddest lion in the den. He is only playing into their hands. With all of the businesses that we aer losing, we are only turning this city into a shell of a past great place to live. Thanks for telling it like it is.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-08T19:39:17-06:00

ID

120835

Comment

On another note, the C L should remember that they also had to start out by gaining the trust of the public. Just because they were bought out is no reason to fall down on the job. Journalism is a very tough job, but you must prove yourself everyday. I have almost completely stopped reading the C L. The only time I even read any of their articles now is when the JFP has exposed another of their "safe" stories that only tell half of the truth. The addage that "controversy sells" is true. But it is alsp true that honest, straight-down-the-middle journalism sells too! The JFP give you that each and every edition. You can tell who will give it to you straight. The people that are trying to hide something will report to the C L. The people that are real will read the JFP.

Author

lance

Date

2006-01-08T19:43:15-06:00

ID

120836

Comment

Realtime, I believe that its the American way for everyone to have their own opinion. But when you make comments that only align yourself with Mr Hampton, I feel compelled to throw in my two cents worth also. I am not "aligning" myself with anyone. I just do not hold the Clarion Ledger responsible for the fact Melton was elected. I am just as passonate about Jackson as anyone on this blog, and I have been a Jacksonian for a long enough period to have truly studied the trends. The simple truth is--"Crime has been a deterrent to redevelopment of inner city neighborhoods and significant economic development since the mid 1980's." This is the most significant issue facing Jackson today and everyone who has studied the trends or is a position to have talked with large numbers of people who (a) either do not move into the City from other areas, or (b) are moving out of the City to the burbs understand this as well. I think Johnson was great mayor in many ways but he was not successful in reigning in crime, and that was his undoing. If Melton does not succeed, he will be voted out as well. As for "waiting on economic development" I don't think any mayor is or has done that. People decide where they want to locate due to quality of life issues and businesses follow the rooftops.

Author

realtime

Date

2006-01-08T19:50:54-06:00

ID

120837

Comment

For the record, lance, I don't think that realtime was "aligning" with Mr. Hamptonm, either. I just don't think he understands why I believe The Clarion-Ledger's coverage (or lack thereof) has been so pivotal in creating a climate where Mr. Johnson was so disparaged and Mr. Melton was so canonized, regardless of actual facts. And I appreciate many of his comments. However, realtime, you keep saying this, which sounds suspiciously like you're repeating a mainstream media sound bite without regard to the facts: I think Johnson was great mayor in many ways but he was not successful in reigning in crime, and that was his undoing. Is it not impressive to you that crime fell 20+ percent in the short time the last chief was in place? What about murder dropping 31 percent the first half of this year? And what do you think about the fact that the Ledge still has not reported the rather large news about our Morgan-Quitno "dangerous" rankings improving so much in one year, in 2004? That is, you keep repeating the cliche crime mantra -- the same one as the Ledge -- but you're not bothering the discuss the facts about that crime as they really are. I would argue that that is because the media have done such a poor job of reporting the impressive improvements on the crime front. If you don't know, you don't know. And if the media aren't going to tell you, who will? Now, if you're saying all those improvements don't matter and that crime should have *all* magically disappeared in two or three years, or even eight, I would say back to you that you have unrealistic expectations. But if you tell me that specific policies of Mr. Melton were going to lower crime even more and offer details and arguments about that, then I'm all ears. Unfortunately, however, that was not forthcoming then, and no one I've asked actually has an idea about how Mr. Melton is going to lower said crime. And the chief has refused to talk about it, either, but she has clearly shown her disdain for the COMSTAT process that we all below mightily in because it makes so much damn sense to track crime weekly as it's happening and where in order to decide where the resources go. As it is, your statements about the last administration and crime simply do not seem fact-based. They seem emotional (and that's said with due respect), which is about all the voters had to go on due to the awful crime sensationalism by the local media. See the circle? To be fair, it is also unrealistic for you to demand that Mr. Melton cure all the crime, either, just as it was very silly for him to promise to do so. As I like to say, "never trust the guy who tells you he loves you on the first date."

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-08T20:01:33-06:00

ID

120838

Comment

I have been trying, obviously unsuccessfully, to hold my tongue this week. Alas, lance's comment reminded me of something that was recently said in my home by a family member visiting from Texas that was absolutely hilarious! (and true) "I wonder how many people pass through here and look at the news and see OUR mayor walking around with armed guards and wearing a bulletproof vest declaring that he's not going to take it anymore." I had family member's come in directly prior to the holidays to visit and while watching the news one evening, one of them stated "Your mayor looks like that old cartoon Mighty Mouse, hey, maybe you guys should start calling him "Melton Mouse!" I was so embarressed at the antic's of Melton on the news, for the remainder of their visit I convenientaly had something planned during the evening news. On a sad note, however, my grandfather who also was visiting, had been here before on previous visits and he said that this time Jackson just had a bad 'feel' to it. He has a national concealed weapon's permit and he did not leave the house one time during the entire visit without being armed! So even though your comment was said more or less in a sarcastic manner lance, it is so true - people are coming to visit this city and what they are seeing is not only ridiculous, but has become a total embarressment to those of us who live and work in this once great city!

Author

Katie D

Date

2006-01-08T20:27:08-06:00

ID

120839

Comment

It is embarrassing all, but I do want to give a pep talk. Don't give up; now is exactly when the people working so hard for the city's renaissance have to be the *most* visible and the *most* determined. I cannot tell you how people are also coming here and finding the JFP and saying that that means that Jackson is a progressive, thinking, sophisticated city that supports such a publication. So there are balancing forces at play. Just keep speaking up about the problems with the city, demand accountability and stay positive about the city. The state has too much a history of allowing demagogues to ruin it for the rest of us, but we don't have to in this case. There are very good people, of various political ideologies, who are united for the good of the city. Very few people are just defending Melton to be defending him any longer, and the ones who are just sound silly and uneducated about what's going on. The rest of us can band together to ensure that he does not derail the hard work that happened before he got here. Stand firm, folks. And keep talkin'.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-08T20:32:17-06:00

ID

120840

Comment

The alleged 20% reduction in crime may not be entirely correct. I have talked personally with people who experienced crime and saw first-hand that the crime was not properly categorized by the investigating police. Whether or not it is correct or not, crime is still a significant issue in many areas of the City. I do not think it is unrealistic to expect any mayor to address the crime issue in the same manner as other cities have successfully done. You have to put into place adequate resources (police officers and other volunteer groups) in the places of the highest reported crime (using reported crime incidents). Crime prevention must be addressed including job creation for persons without adequate opportunities, etc. That is what I expect any mayor Jackson to do in the most businesslike manner possible. It doesn't take a cowboy or a planner. It takes someone with the best interest of the City in their heart and it will take someone who is willing to make tough choices in hiring a police chief who can get the job done and let them do their job. It will also take someone who does not politicize every thing they do. So far we do not seem to be able to find that person.

Author

realtime

Date

2006-01-08T20:40:29-06:00

ID

120841

Comment

Ah, you're in the it-can't-be-right-because-it's-faked contingent. My suggestion is that you have anyone with any evidence that the FBI numbers are cooked report it to the FBI. Until such allegations are proved, we should probably do the American thing and assume people are innocent until proven guilty, right? I do not think it is unrealistic to expect any mayor to address the crime issue in the same manner as other cities have successfully done. You have to put into place adequate resources (police officers and other volunteer groups) in the places of the highest reported crime (using reported crime incidents). Crime prevention must be addressed including job creation for persons without adequate opportunities, etc. Now, I agree wholeheartedly with the previous paragraph, but am not following the argument that the previous mayor did not do this. Are you positive that the media were doing a stellar job of reporting the facts and that the coverage (of lack thereof) has not influenced your view in some way? It takes someone with the best interest of the City in their heart and it will take someone who is willing to make tough choices in hiring a police chief who can get the job done and let them do their job. It will also take someone who does not politicize every thing they do. Again, agreed. Now share the evidence that Mayor Johnson did not have the "best interest" of the city at heart. Was the Convention Center not in best interest? (Arguably at least.) Farish Street redevelopment? Efforts to deal with code violations after so many years of no one doing it? Getting development deal for King Edward? Bringing in a chief who understood community policing, was willing to clean up the department, hired more officers and instituted weekly COMSTAT? A lobbyist who brought in millions of dollars in grants? A balanced budget? And I will respectfullyb disagree with you on the "planner" comment. After so many years of no planning, that is exactly what we needed. And I don't get the political comment at all. If anything, Johnson is accused of not being political enough to actually toot his own horn about his accomplishments. You kind of can't can't shoehorn him into just any old complaint you have lying around. You need facts at your disposal. And that's where a media, doing its job, could have helped. As it is, although well-meaning, you are repeating stereotype after stereotype (and sound bites and even accusations) that you cannot back up. That's what happens in a community where good, solid facts are not readily available. With due respect, I'd argue that you are proving my point.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-08T20:51:27-06:00

ID

120842

Comment

"The alleged 20% reduction in crime may not be entirely correct. I have talked personally with people who experienced crime and saw first-hand that the crime was not properly categorized by the investigating police. I've heard this thrown around several times, but I find it very hard to believe that the C-L wouldn't have picked up on this by now. It's apparently been hinted at on some newscasts before, but this sounds right up the C-L's alley. Them not screaming bloody murder about it makes me doubt its validity. What gets me about this crime stuff is that Jackson's crime rate has been similar to its peers in the southeast for quite some time. But, no other city seems to harp on it like Jackson does. Hell, Atlanta has the highest crime rate in the country, but it hardly ever comes up in conversations I have with its residents in my travels.

Author

millhouse

Date

2006-01-08T21:16:10-06:00

ID

120843

Comment

Actually, millhouse, they have quoted Mr. Melton, and I believe Mr. Whitlow, making this accusation toward the previous administration without bothering to check it out. That is bad journalism in itself. We are responsible for factual statements made by people we interview and even in letter to the editor. Or we're supposed to be. But you make an excellent point. The whole SafeCity puffery formed in the first place in order to "prove" the city was cooking the numbers, as you will recall. Or, at least to make the people think they were so they'd go around saying it, even without proof. They never did any such thing, of course. And knowing Chief Moore as I came to, I don't believe he would allow that to happen. I believe he was honest, perhaps to a fault (as far as repeating his research-based warnings about media perceptions of crime to a very unsophisticated media, who repeatedly took it out of context). I agree with you: If there was an actual fire behind all the smoke, this is *one* story the Ledge would have been all over by now. Instead, they just quote people saying it, so they can pretend they are not pushing the idea without the evidence to back it up. That's a cowardly way to push an agenda, if you ask me. And shocking from a journalistic standpoint. And it's a VERY serious allegation to accuse a mayor and chief of fraud without presenting the evidence, no matter who does it. Also great point about comparable cities. If you recall, back when the Ledge reported and screamed about Morgan-Quitno rankings (before we improved dramatically and the rankings went down the Ledge's hyperactive memory hole), they NEVER put the rankings in any sort of context that would actually render them meaningful. I'll never forget how Stringfellow, I believe, made such a big deal out of us not being more like Newton, Mass., or whoever the lily-white, rich "least dangerous" city was that time. Simply absurd, and transparent bias. And you are so right: I don't know of any city that beats up on itself as badly as this one does. Sometimes I feel like the JFP is one big therapy session for people to say, "I'm OK, We're OK." We are so our own worst enemies. Foot. Aim. Shoot. With any luck, the ridiculous proportions this self-loathing has now reached will teach us some very important lessons. Among them: 1. Screaming doesn't fight crime. 2. There is nothing wrong, and everything right, about planning. 3. Reversing decades of decay and white flight doesn't happen overnight. Can't. 4. Crime is never the "only" or the "no. 1" issue. In fact, we don't have to just pick one issue. And crime is a symptom of other issues; not the "issue" itself. 5. Even Mississippians are smart enough to hold more than one thought -- or goal -- at once. See No. 4. 6. Corporate media do not want to sink resources into good reporting. 7. The U.S. Constitution applies to Jackson, too. And to rich mayors from Texas. 8. Sound bites don't run a city. Can't. 9. Acting like a city is the Old West may actually increase crime. 10. Acting like a city is the Old West will scare off people and investment we need here. Feel free to add others as y'all wish. I know folks in these here parts like making lists. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-08T21:27:01-06:00

ID

120844

Comment

Oh, and to complete the thought: 11. Scaring off people and investment in the city will increase crime.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-08T21:45:16-06:00

ID

120845

Comment

My contribution: 12. Jackson can't be improved on an anti-Jackson platform.

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-01-08T22:02:17-06:00

ID

120846

Comment

My aplolgies, Realtime. I misunderstood your statement. I do not totally hold the C L accountable for Melton's election, but since they were in bed with him I believe that they knew exactly what type of person he was. I believe that they tried to accomodate him so that he wouldn't turn on them either. If the C L had any guts, they would have taken him head-on and let the best man win. I read your comments all of the time (realtime) and I respect your opinions. I took this one out of context. I agree with Ladd that we should not let up. There are too many people saying the same thing about Frank. If it walks like a duck, and if it quacks like a duck........It must be a duck! I was just trying to make a point about people passing through and getting a bad perception of Jackson. Katie D, I am so sorry that your grandfather feels that way about us, but we (FRANK) did it trying to make an impression, obviously the wrong one. There was a sheriff in Arizona or Texas that recently made national news by the way that he treated criminals. He didn't even give them a place to sleep except for homemade tents. I think that Frank saw this and got overly excited.

Author

lance

Date

2006-01-09T08:30:44-06:00

ID

120847

Comment

Is the JFP looking into the relationships between the Melton administration and the former city councilmen who were run out on bribery/corruption? First we have Williams, but last week was listening to Charles Evers' radio show. He was lambasting the mayor and Stephenie Parker-Weaver called in to defend Melton and the Maple Street stuff. She mentioned that the city got help moving some of the tenants out of the apartments from a company owned by (former councilman) Louis Armstrong. It would be interesting to find out more about the alliances Melton has made with the different Af-Am political camps in the city. For example, Stokes and Charles Tisdale were strongly defending Melton (re: Maple St) on their radio show Friday night.

Author

ironsides

Date

2006-01-09T10:02:03-06:00

ID

120848

Comment

Interesting re Mr. Armstrong owning that company. I didn't know that. As for Mr. Stokes and Mr. Tisdale—the Jackson Advocate is among Mr. Melton's strongest supporters, I believe, as they are of Mr. Stokes and Mr. Bluntson. We talked about this during the campaign. The alliance with the Mill Street folks was something some of Mr. Melton's white supporters were very proud of. And imploding the King Edward seems to be very high on Mr. Tisdale's wish list for the city, as I understand it.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-09T10:18:33-06:00

ID

120849

Comment

Indeed, Tisdale and Stokes have gone out of their way to avoid criticism of Frank, stretching their racial hypocrisy to new levels to support his heavy-handed tactics. Stephanie Parker-Weaver's role in both the Melton campaign and this administration was a huge hint as to where Melton true alliances were forged. In fact, the most interesting aspect of Melton's election campaign was the coalitions he formed, albeit surface-level, between the white business groups (Leland Speed, Duane O'Neill) and the black power groups (Tisdale, Doug Anderson) who ordinarily are at odds with each other to work together to unseat their common foe. What stranger sight could you imagine than Parker-Weaver and Leland Speed sharing the same stage in celebration on election night? That's what gave people like myself hope that a Melton administration might be a good thing, if Melton's charisma could hold these otherwise tenuous coalitions together for next four years to work in earnest to improve the City.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-01-09T11:12:57-06:00

ID

120850

Comment

ejeff, I hear you. And I think all of this speaks to the value of endorsements--where if the C-L likes him, the Jackson Advocate likes him, the AFL-CIO likes him, and conservative whites like him, then my word, he must be an amazing candidate. I'm still trying to figure out how he attracted so much support on the left. I just assumed those leaders knew something the rest of us didn't. Now I'm beginning to believe that it might be the other way around. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-01-09T17:23:38-06:00

ID

120851

Comment

“For example, Stokes and Charles Tisdale were strongly defending Melton (re: Maple St) on their radio show Friday night.” I listened as well. Being that Stokes was late, I initially thought he wasn’t going to show attempting to avoid any callers asking him directly his feelings regarding Melton’s antics. Stokes defended Melton by saying “he would’ve got beat like a boy dog” had Melton not gone into the Maple Street apartments as he did. Moreover this has to be the worse local publicly broadcasted radio program! The entire program is dedicated to spewing lies and attempts to assassinated people’s characters. On the previous week’s program Stokes laughed himself into a fit of coughing while Tisdale called two of his fellow councilmen “uncle toms”.

Author

K RHODES

Date

2006-01-09T19:40:26-06:00

ID

120852

Comment

Has anyone seen the front page of the Mississippi Link this week? There was an "interesting" cartoon that caught my eye. I saw it at a gas station and purchased a copy in order to get a good laugh. Take a look at the Web site's front page while it's still up. Too bad the article talks more about a contract bid dispute than the title above it.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-01-09T23:25:34-06:00

ID

120853

Comment

I had originally pegged Melton as a stealth Republican candidate, having made a cynical political calculation that a black Republican couldn't be elected dogcatcher in Jackson. I may have been wrong about that, but he has certainly not circulated openly within the traditional Democrat power base in Hinds County until recently. Perhaps he felt his role as a reporter meant that he had to avoid all political participation, just like his voting record. ;) As for the Tisdale-Stokes Comedy Hour, I honestly find their show embarrasingly amateurish and their myopic views laughable, as they generally spend the entire hour every week calling Crisler and McLemore "Uncle Toms" and blaming white people for everything wrong in Jackson, playing to the same 15 to 20 people who call in every week.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-01-09T23:28:58-06:00

ID

120854

Comment

In many ways, they sound like the polar opposite of a small echo chamber of angry white men most of us know about. ;-) Of course, I like Kenny Stokes one on one, and he likes the paper and is very respectful of us, at least to our faces. But people change in certain group dynamics, and it's not always for the better. And the Mill Street posse is not exactly the Democratic power base. I think Mr. Melton was being honest when he told the ladies at Bravo! that he's not a Dem or a Republican (although he should have told the Democrats that, and run as an Independent, rather than hijacking a political party for his own plans). But I do think he convinced a lot of white Republicans who aren't so fond of the Mill Street crowd that he was a stealth Republican. Throughout the campaign, he seemed to be more aligned with Mr. Tisdale and Mr. Stokes (and Mr. Bluntson, of course) than anyone else. And now campaign folks tell us he's not returning the calls of many of his biggest white supporters, so they truly may have been duped. And his attacks on downtown development, and the King Edward, and the like seem to indicate that he's firmly in the Advocate camp. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe the Advocate supported the Convention Center, either, right? They're not big on a downtown renaissance—I assume because it is on track to be multiracial. Now, I agree that any renaissance *must* be multiracial, and not controlled just by white forces, but that doesn't mean it should be the domain of a small cadre of black men who don't like white people, either. The Advocate has a complicated history, as I assume everyone knows. The paper was segregationist in the 1960s, and angered progressive forces then as well. The Mississippi Free Press, which we named ourselves after, was an "alternative" to the Advocate as well as to the racist white press. Of course, there was different leadership there then, but it is interesting, nevertheless.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-09T23:42:14-06:00

ID

120855

Comment

On the previous week’s program Stokes laughed himself into a fit of coughing while Tisdale called two of his fellow councilmen “uncle toms”. If they're the two councilmen that I think the men are referring to, they need a history lesson on the origin of "Uncle Tom" as well as the purpose of the novel Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-01-09T23:44:35-06:00

ID

120856

Comment

And it is ironic that Mr. Tisdale regularly calls Dr. McLemore an "Uncle Tom," being that his man Mr. Melton is the one supported by Mr. Mounger and Mr. Speed et al. Of course, if they believe it's a scheme to take advantage of the white folks' money, and naivete, to get Mr. Melton elected, maybe that's a different story. To be honest, I don't think any of it makes a lick of sense. And that's not a good thing in this case. If he was a true Independent in there kicking ass equally and doing smart things to reform the city and help its renaissance, that would be one thing. But he is earning his reputation as a "loose cannon" and, seemingly, not getting a damn thing done other than putting his peeps into positions that many of them do not seem qualified for. At this juncture, it truly looks like he is trying to dismantle the city and every good thing that's happened here since desegregation. What happens then?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-09T23:46:50-06:00

ID

120857

Comment

Good point, L.W. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was not about sowing division.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-09T23:48:16-06:00

ID

120858

Comment

As for the Tisdale-Stokes Comedy Hour, I honestly find their show embarrasingly amateurish and their myopic views laughable, as they generally spend the entire hour every week calling Crisler and McLemore "Uncle Toms" and blaming white people for everything wrong in Jackson, playing to the same 15 to 20 people who call in every week. So they were who I thought - both of whom have held the office of city council president. Gee, I wonder what their beef is...

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-01-09T23:52:22-06:00

ID

120859

Comment

It is also interesting that they use the phrase "Uncle Tom" so freely when it was such a stereotype lambasted by many in the African American community. You get the feeling they mean the phrase for blacks willing to work with, or be friends with, whites. If so, that's sad.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-09T23:54:54-06:00

ID

120860

Comment

You get the feeling they mean the phrase for blacks willing to work with, or be friends with, whites. If so, that's sad. Well, if that's the case, just call me Aunt Thomasina! I'll work with just anyone who will work with me. I'm more concerned about hygiene and criminal record than genetic differences.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-01-10T00:00:47-06:00

ID

120861

Comment

But it all does denote what is sad in Jackson—lingering hatred and power struggles between certain blacks and certain whites. Rather then truly working together to make the city better, they fight turf wars—whether on the Ben & Larry Show or the Blog of Fools, or on Tisdale's show with all the "Uncle Tom" rhetoric. I do believe that what excited many about Mr. Melton was that they believed/hoped that he was going to bridge these two groups. But that doesn't seem to be happening. And being that he was saying such different things to different groups during the campaign, there wasn't much evidence that it was actually going to work out. Personally, I feared a train wreck. And, in fact, people from inside the campaign (black and white) tell us about huge fights they all had throughout the campaign. We heard that Robert Johnson -- remember Melton making such a big deal about him, promising the Bravo ladies he'd be "high up" in the administration -- just walked out one day. He won't return our calls to respond or talk about it. I think it was a major reason Mr. Melton shied from real substantive interviews or solid campaign appearances such as the JAN forum would have been—he was going to have to address real questions with answers that didn't fit into one stereotype or another—and saying he was going to "put the Convention Center between Two Lakes" wasn't going to fly (although that logic seems to be ruling his approach to downtown development so far). He seems to have absolute anathema against answering questions in a detailed, substantive, how-he's-going-to-do-it way, rather than a sound bite. Maybe one reason for that is because the Capitol Gang, so to speak, wants something very different from the Mill Street Posse, you could call them. We need to see him get them all to the table, though, not walk a tightrope between the groups. I'm really afraid the city is going to end up more divided than ever. And that's exactly what those two groups want. So guess who wins?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-10T00:05:47-06:00

ID

120862

Comment

Actually, by traditional Democrat power base in Hinds I meant Doug Anderson, Sheriff Mac and Jim Evans, who had all been Johnson supporters at one time in the last decade. The "Mill Street" wing of the local Democrats certainly gained control of City Hall by a master stroke of political misdirection to garner the support of the Fondren/Belhaven crowd. It's interesting that C-L editorial is now willing to express concern about the Mayor's political shenanigans, but still stop short of acknowledging their role in not providing a full, honest picture of the man for the electorate, warts and all, when it really counted. To be honest, they still tread lightly when covering him IMO, except when his nose thumbing is so blatant that it can't be ignored (like the weekly crime stats).

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-01-10T00:06:14-06:00

ID

120863

Comment

The "Mill Street" wing of the local Democrats certainly gained control of City Hall by a master stroke of political misdirection to garner the support of the Fondren/Belhaven crowd. Agreed. I suspect they laugh every night at what they pulled on the N-JAM crowd. Yeah, the Ledge is in a pickle here. They were wrong on so many fronts, and people know it. They shirked their responsibility -- and they didn't even tell people that Mr. Melton had lied to the Meridian judge, although it happened before the election. They're still not telling folks they are involved in an intertwined companion lawsuit, where they can lose millions of dollars due to their relationship with Mr. Melton. In that suit, they're both trying to blame each other -- a lovers' spat, if you will. The Ledge needs some serious triage. The home office ought to be down here taking that thing over before it loses any semblance of credibility it has left about Jackson. It seems they're past the point that an omsbudman is going to do much good, although it would be a good-faith effort. More than anything, I believe they owe the citizens of Jackson an apology. A big one.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-10T00:11:11-06:00

ID

120864

Comment

"It's interesting that C-L editorial is now willing to express concern about the Mayor's political shenanigans..." Speaking of the editorial page, I can't believe that they allowed one of today'sletters to the editor to be printed. Except for an (IMO) undue credit to Melton, the guy nails it: "Relocating to Jackson after many years of living in St. Louis, Mo., I have found that the media here, both printed and electronic, seemingly has as their aim to focus on the most negative aspect of Mississippi's capital city. This is done, I assume, to choke off Jackson while promoting the quality of life in surrounding communities."

Author

millhouse

Date

2006-01-10T13:00:02-06:00

ID

120865

Comment

Forgive my ignorance, but who exactly are the "Mill Street wing?"

Author

Justin

Date

2006-01-10T14:39:24-06:00

ID

120866

Comment

well the term uncle tom actually refers to men that would rather sit at the feet of white men than stand for themselves. it also tends to point at people who often defend the interests of the dominate culture no matter the impact on everyone else. its really a generic term for sellout. anywho, with that in mind i dont think black jacksonians care about working with anyone. as long as these relationships and coalitions exist on equal footing. in a capitalistic society money talks at all times. however, throwing money at problems doesnt solve them. i refuse to speak for stokes or tisdale. i never even heard the show. yet i understand their support for melton. its sounds as if they believe someone is diverting resources that on the surface appear to help the people that they love. some dont see this because they appear distracted and disgusted in the manner in which melton tries to accomplish his goals. my problem with the pro melton argument is that it doesnt appear to understand the consequences of melton's actions. its not his desire to help as much as its the way he chooses to do it. overall melton may have a heart of gold, but when you have a brain of aluminum foil it just wont work. thats what so many people liked about him. they thought he could do it by talking tough and being in your face. now it appears that some are understanding that this approach alone is just as ineffective as the work the paperwork method. jackson is a beautiful place and we all want whats best for it. yet we all appear unable to see any improvement coming from each other. jacksonians appear to have low selfesteem we want to be atlanta or new orleans or mobile or memphis but when can we be jackson. melton really "loves" those areas. so does stokes. but until they understand that jackson is bigger than downtown and eastover everyone will suffer cause its always the middle class that feels it. so maybe we wont feel it cause "jackson doesnt have a middle class".

Author

skipp

Date

2006-01-10T15:08:33-06:00

ID

120867

Comment

Speaking of the editorial page, I can't believe that they allowed one of today'sletters to the editor to be printed. Except for an (IMO) undue credit to Melton, the guy nails it That letter to the editor is definitely right on time. That's exactly the way I view the direction things have been headed for at least the last fifteen years. Maybe he thinks Melton has stopped the trash talking because he has recanted on some things - I don't really know. Whether he's correct about that or not, I wish more people had his attitude about this city.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-01-10T20:53:56-06:00

ID

120868

Comment

well the term uncle tom actually refers to men that would rather sit at the feet of white men than stand for themselves. it also tends to point at people who often defend the interests of the dominate culture no matter the impact on everyone else. its really a generic term for sellout. That is the current understood meaning, but I want to make sure people understand where the term came from and the irony of it. anywho, with that in mind i dont think black jacksonians care about working with anyone. as long as these relationships and coalitions exist on equal footing. skipp, as a black Jacksonian, could you clarify this for me? The location of the periods is throwing me off. i refuse to speak for stokes or tisdale. i never even heard the show. yet i understand their support for melton. its sounds as if they believe someone is diverting resources that on the surface appear to help the people that they love. I think a love for drama has a lot to do with it. I saw too much enjoyment behind a disagreement at the City Council meeting today. overall melton may have a heart of gold, but when you have a brain of aluminum foil it just wont work. ROTFL!!! jacksonians appear to have low selfesteem we want to be atlanta or new orleans or mobile or memphis but when can we be jackson. melton really "loves" those areas. so does stokes. but until they understand that jackson is bigger than downtown and eastover everyone will suffer cause its always the middle class that feels it. I think Jacksonians have been so beat upon by the powers that be using the whips of economic strangulation and exploitation of crime issues, they feel inferior to the so-called "good" areas now. The more negativity they see and hear, the closer their chins get to the ground. so maybe we wont feel it cause "jackson doesnt have a middle class". Are you saying this, skipp? If not, who? Jackson has plenty of middle class citizens, many of whom are educators.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-01-10T21:28:53-06:00

ID

120869

Comment

And business owners.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-01-10T21:32:16-06:00

ID

120870

Comment

"Ah, you're in the it-can't-be-right-because-it's-faked contingent." No, you asked me if I "wasn't impressed by the 20% reduction in crime." And my answer to that question is "No, I am not convinced this is an accurate stat." I do believe Jackson did have a reduction in crime over the past ten years just as the entire nation has seen reductions since the 1980s; but six months is not a long enough period to establish a trend. I just did not believe Mayor Johnson was putting enough emphasis on the problem, and indeed, seemed to have a problem even admitting Jackson has a crime problem. I have observed and read about other cities that put into place a well designed plans to fight crime and I would like to see Jackson follow this course of action. From talking to various people who voted against Johnson, I believe I am not the only one who wanted to see a more comprehensive plan to fight crime. Obviously, Melton has not yet shown any better plan than Johnson had. If fact, he seems to be dismantling two of the key components we need--crime prevention and comstat. You put a lot of emphasis on reporting facts; but I am in a position to know some the "facts" you are relying are not as accurate as you may believe. Reasonable people can disagree, and I am sure there are a lot of others who voted for Melton who are disappointed with some of his decisions.

Author

realtime

Date

2006-01-10T22:18:19-06:00

ID

120871

Comment

Crime/Eco-Devo: Not every John & Jane Smith can come up with the "right plan" for the city's rebirth but they can support local businesses. I bought 2 Cafe Mocha's and a cookie from Cups when I was in town on Saturday for a few hours (a few hours side trip before I returned to Dallas).[1] I even donated $5 to the YMCA as a result of my Jackson meanderings (I talked to a Coach Myers, who was leading the kids in a fundraising drive. The coach and I had an intresting discussion about how to get kids to develop their own talents and overall create a positve environment for them). If 5,000 people per day did just what I did, what good do you think would happen to the city? Big things are just a bunch of little things that add up over time (as anyone with a passing knowledge of the finacial system will tell you) [1] I really wanted to support Jackson entertainment, but had to drive mom back and forth between Lake Prov. La and Monroe for daily radiation treatments (she recently had cancer surgery).

Author

Philip

Date

2006-01-10T23:39:16-06:00

ID

120872

Comment

Phillip, thanks for your contributions, and I wish your mother the best. I agree with you on supporting local businesses. When I talk to some people about the importance of it, I get a lot of "I would, but..." Also, it's hard to get people to listen to you when they had a bad experience or two at a locally owned business (why blame them all???). it's also a tough sell when the person you're talking to barely makes ends meet and knows they can get cheaper goods at Wally World. My funds are limited, too, but when I am able, I try to do my share.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-01-11T00:01:00-06:00

ID

120873

Comment

the quotes should let you know im trying to be sarcastic i dont think black jacksonians care about working with anyone black or white for improvement of jackson and community. but it doesnt appear that we want to work for some outside force pushing its idea of improvement. its like this if we decide to paint your house and you pick the color you'll be happy. if i just show up with paint and say we should paint this, youll have something to say even if you like the color. you follow? i cant allow people to keep saying that the "powers that be" about as defined as (the white man) keep jackson in its condition. overall people just think its easier to leave and join than stay and build. i love jackson. no one had to tell me to love it. i really dislike ridgeland and madison. no one had to tell me that either. my experience with jackson is that everyone points to someone else. few people look at themselves and feel its possible for them to fix whatever they dislike. it is a bunch of small things adding up to make a big change. but until white people get tired of paying excessively for whiteness and jacksonians stop hurting themselves by helping madison it wont work. we are all in the same boat.

Author

skipp

Date

2006-01-11T13:56:39-06:00

ID

120874

Comment

Skipp, damned good posts. I was going to post a response, but I can't find anything I completely disagree with. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-01-11T14:06:57-06:00

ID

120875

Comment

the quotes should let you know im trying to be sarcastic I wasn't trying to pick on you, skipp. Some bloggers use quotation marks for emphasis instead of italics b/c they don't like typing HTML commands. I just wanted to be sure about where you were coming from since the quotes were not proceeded by who made the statement. Sorry if I offended you.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-01-11T22:42:48-06:00