Jackson Free Press

It's great to see The Clarion-Ledger follow up our tip from last Friday about Melton and his two bodyguards flying to the Bahamas. This is the way local media should work together to get at the truth. See their story today:

The city paid $1,842 for three round-trip plane tickets, said Administration Department Director Peyton Prospere. That was the only cost the city incurred, he said. Melton said he plans to reimburse the city for the cost of the plane tickets because he wants to save the city money. As of Friday, the city's finance department had not received his check. Melton and his guards stayed at the Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay, where rooms range from $400 to $800 per night. Melton said he paid for the separate rooms, meals and amenities, such as poolside service, out of his own pocket.

When contacted at the resort on Monday, Melton refused to answer questions about his trip, saying he was there on his own time.

The mayor provided The Clarion-Ledger with a receipt detailing room charges for one of his bodyguards totaling $1,269.14 for the four-night stay. He said the receipt, which bears his signature, shows he paid with his personal credit card.

NO OBLIGATION

It was unclear who the mayor had told about his trip. City Council President Marshand Crisler said Monday he was unaware of the mayor's plans to leave the country. However, he said the mayor is not obligated to inform the council when he goes out of town.

"I can't imagine what city business he would have in the Bahamas," Crisler said. [...]

While the mayor was out of the country, the media were still questioning whether reputed gang member Vidal Sullivan was out on the streets.

Sullivan, who was acquitted of homicide on Feb. 22, turned himself in to the mayor and Police Chief Shirlene Anderson the night of March 2. Since that time, the mayor and police chief have refused to say publicly where Sullivan is staying except to say he was placed in "protective custody."

Virden Addition Community Association President Jimmie Robinson said people in his neighborhood are curious about the timing of the mayor's trip and concerned about whether they are safe.

"How do you say there's a man out there who is so dangerous that he shouldn't be on the streets and then jump up and go to the Bahamas?" Robinson said.

Previous Comments

ID

121506

Comment

I wonder why he presented only one bodyguard's receipt. Why not both of them? It strikes me that it's time for full disclosure here.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-03-11T11:25:56-06:00

ID

121507

Comment

The overwhelming question, of course, is why he *needed* to take his two bodyguards to The Bahamas. Was he really afraid he was going to encounter members of the Wood Street Gang there??? And these two men are JPD officers -- being that police officers are so demoralized due to cuts in overtime and such, weren't these two police officers needed in Jackson -- at least on Friday, Monday and Tuesday? Or, maybe they just needed a bit of R&R? Pike asks some interesting questions on this on a different thread -- like did his wife meet him there, too? Also, Pike's point there about Agnew is good. After everything that they've ignored to date about Mr. Melton, he *now* gets upset about them being directly threatened?!? Of course he should, but it does reveal the hypocrisy over at the Gannett Corp. outlet.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-03-11T11:31:32-06:00

ID

121508

Comment

Also, the Ledge said this about their first conversation with Melton from The Bahamas earlier this week: In a cryptic conversation, Melton said "there are some nervous people in Jackson," but gave no details to what or whom he was referring when asked, citing a gag order. Melton would not say which agency Sullivan was being housed with, but did say he is in the state. "We are trying to keep him safe," he said. The Clarion-Ledger should start posting full transcripts of their conversations with Mr. Melton like The New York Times started doing with Rudy when he tried to blame the media for his woes there. Publish his full remarks in context. People will eat it up, reader-wise, and the public has the right to know about these bizarre, "cryptic" conversations as they called this call from him. After reading today's story, one wonders if the "cryptic" call was made pool-side. Maybe they were using the hotel's WiFi to read the blogs and said, "Oh, shit! The JFP posted Friday that we're in the Bahamas! We better call our buddies at the Ledge and say something, quick!" Then again, maybe not, but it's a funny thought. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-03-11T11:38:47-06:00

ID

121509

Comment

Here's my take on the Bahamian trip, and this "cultural" museum. Oprah Winfrey, Morgan Freeman, and BB King can drop their own "pocket change" and pay for the homage to them. And it would all be "tax deductible." Why on earth should citizens of Jackson pay for a museum for these millionaires and billionaire? How 'bout they "donate" this cultural icon to the people of Mississippi? HDMatthias, MD

Author

HDMatthias, MD

Date

2006-03-11T16:16:18-06:00

ID

121510

Comment

BTW, this whole BMI contacts business reminds me of Mr. Melton's visit to the MAP Coalition during his campaign, and his promises to build a recording studio on Farish, as laid out in my profile of Mr. Melton during the primary campaign last year: Melton wandered around the dance floor as he laid out his credentials: He said he’s chairman of the contracts committee for BMI (Broadcast Music Industry), a recording rights organization for songwriters, composers and music publishers that represents the likes of Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana and rapper T.I. That means, Melton told the crowd, as mayor he can build a high-tech recording studio right on Farish Street “so you can produce your music.”

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-03-11T16:17:25-06:00

ID

121511

Comment

I am very interested in why did Frank not pay for this trip up front. Why would he charge it to a credit card? Isn't this the man who stuck his chest out about the amount of money he made when he sold his stock interest in WLBT? I cannot see how he would even felt that little charge against his millions. Do these police officers that babysit him have families of their own? Are they being paid around the clock, or just very high salaries? Frank, Frank, when will it begin to make some sense.

Author

lance

Date

2006-03-11T17:07:36-06:00

ID

121512

Comment

One possibility is that he expected the city to pay for it, like the plane tickets. Then folks found out here he and the two men went to the Bahamas, and he started using his own credit card. Remember that when I asked the city on Friday for his whereabouts that they would not tell us. And that's funny for a situation where he was, supposedly, on official business to lure development to Farish Street. Again, see my return e-mail from city spokesman Nash Nunnery after I called and asked him outright, "Nash, where is the mayor today? Is he in Jackson?" ------ Forwarded Message From: Nash Nunnery Date: Fri, 3 Mar 2006 14:20:14 -0600 To: Subject: Mayor Melton Donna, The Mayor is out of town and will not be back at City Hall until Wednesday. Both his admin asst. and Carolyn Redd have confirmed but have no other information. Thanks, Nash Nunnery This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. ------ End of Forwarded Message (At that point, remember, we knew he was in Dallas trying to get to Miami; soon after, a source told us he was in the Bahamas.)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-03-11T17:20:36-06:00

ID

121513

Comment

I love sources!

Author

pikersam

Date

2006-03-11T20:12:40-06:00

ID

121514

Comment

He could still try to expense some of the trip items. The mayor of Detroit got into some trouble for a Super Bowl trip among his many gaffes. However, the people still voted him back in. Cool thing about that mayor is he didn't shut down strip clubs - he spent his hard earned cash partying at them! That mayor also had a leased vehicle that was highly suspect. Anyone know who is driving the car Melton leased? Last I remember he decided he didn't want it and someone else would get it? BTW: I would like to see all the tags on the vehicles at Melton's and at the houses of Melton’s family member’s here in town. 10 to 1 on at least a couple of TX tags. Also, I think I had a little too much coffee this morning. I didn't need to call Agnew a name to get my point across. Sorry. I hope they tell more of their side of the story.

Author

pikersam

Date

2006-03-11T20:28:35-06:00

ID

121515

Comment

Anyone know who is driving the car Melton leased? Last I remember he decided he didn't want it and someone else would get it? I think it was parked in his space behind City Hall yesterday. Looked like the car we ran a photo of. Pretty spanky.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-03-11T20:40:01-06:00

ID

121516

Comment

It seems that Mr. Melton wants to take his bodyguards *everywhere* he goes. This appears in a Nov. 13, 2003, story about the drowning lawsuit against the YMCA, WLBT, the TV-3 Foundation and Mr. Melton: The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, MS) HEADLINE: Attorney: YMCA pool operations dangerous Judge allows MBN director to have extra security in courtroom [...]Melton, who wasn't in court when the trial began, had requested special security. The motion was withdrawn after Green agreed to allow four, armed MBN plain-clothed law officers to remain in the courtroom while Melton is present. Before the trial started, Green had said two unarmed MBN officers could be present with Melton. After Green agreed to the added security, Melton was in the courtroom for part of the afternoon. Melton sought the extra security, saying he was concerned about the MBN's recent arrest of alleged members of the Wood Street Players gang, court personnel said. Armed Hinds County Sheriff Department bailiffs provide security in courtrooms and armed deputies provide security throughout the courthouse. [...] TV-3 Inc. and parent company Liberty Corporation were dropped Wednesday from the lawsuit after it was revealed that Melton had resigned as president and CEO of the station in November 2000, seven months before the drowning. Melton was still a board member of the nonprofit TV-3 Foundation, which is considered a separate entity, although the TV station paid the lease for the foundation headquarters. Foundation attorney Charlene Priester said Melton's only role was as a volunteer at the Y and the Foundation made donations to pay for lifeguards and Epps as the aquatics director. "The foundation was not an employer," Priester said. ____ Side note: Charlene Priester is the wife and law partner of now-Judge Melvin Priester, for what it's worth.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-03-11T21:30:29-06:00

ID

121517

Comment

The C-L article says that Melton talked about bringing Bahamians here for jobs. Sounds like he's after cheap labor. After all, if he hired Jacksonians, he would have to deal with pesky little details like fair wages, fair treatment, etc. I would hate to see Bahamians exploited in any way. Oprah Winfrey, Morgan Freeman, and BB King can drop their own "pocket change" and pay for the homage to them. And it would all be "tax deductible." Why on earth should citizens of Jackson pay for a museum for these millionaires and billionaire? I have a feeling that if you asked any of these celebrities about the proposed project, they would have no idea what you are talking about.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-03-12T23:26:51-06:00

ID

121518

Comment

The C-L article says that Melton talked about bringing Bahamians here for jobs. Sounds like he's after cheap labor. After all, if he hired Jacksonians, he would have to deal with pesky little details like fair wages, fair treatment, etc. I would hate to see Bahamians exploited in any way. Agreed. Just like I don't like to see Jackson workers exploited. I have a feeling that if you asked any of these celebrities about the proposed project, they would have no idea what you are talking about. I would lay money that you are correct, L.W. Remember when he said back during the campaign, such as at the Bravo breakfast, that Lott and Cochran were helping him get federal grants to pay for all his lofty ideas? We called them, and neither one knew anything about it.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-03-12T23:36:44-06:00

ID

121519

Comment

why is the city fronting money for vacations. i don't care if it will be reimbursed. you cannot tell me this process is somehow simpler than the mayor using his own money in the first place. he just got caught

Author

jp!

Date

2006-03-13T15:29:44-06:00

ID

121520

Comment

why is the city fronting money for vacations. i don't care if it will be reimbursed. you cannot tell me this process is somehow simpler than the mayor using his own money in the first place. he just got caught

Author

jp!

Date

2006-03-13T15:39:44-06:00

ID

121521

Comment

why is the city fronting money for vacations. i don't care if it will be reimbursed. you cannot tell me this process is somehow simpler than the mayor using his own money in the first place. he just got caught

Author

jp!

Date

2006-03-13T15:39:58-06:00

ID

121522

Comment

It's amazing to me that the city acutally had the money to purchase the tickets to begin with, despite what Frank says his 'intentions are' in reference to reimbursement of said tickets! I mean, we apparently don't have ANY money to spare, seeing as how we have had a significantly high number of firings and 'budget-crunching' over the last couple of months. Maybe instead of paying for something so frivilous, the city could offer those people who lost their jobs a month of income? Oh, crap - I forgot this is Cowboy Franks Administration - sorry folks, I didn't remember who I was speaking of! And off into the wild, wild west Frank does go...again...and again....and again!

Author

Katie D

Date

2006-03-13T18:57:48-06:00

ID

121523

Comment

sorry for the multi post. one more question: do we have so many jobs here that we need to bring folks from the Bahamas in to pick up the slack? OK, so our biggest crime problem is the local strip joint and we have so many jobs around here that we need to import people from the bahamas! wow! i had NO IDEA melton could do this well!

Author

jp!

Date

2006-03-13T19:59:07-06:00

ID

121524

Comment

You guys are on top of this today! It is very simple, you can not use any company/business/city money for personal use. If you are a millionaire why have the need to use someone else's money anyway. What a tangle web FM has weaved!!!

Author

maad

Date

2006-03-14T00:09:58-06:00

ID

121525

Comment

Well I returned today and not to my surprise FM is getting crazier . Why did I think if I took a trip he would reform and grow up??? I am back and ready to help keep our city from going to hell and bankrupcy but this man is a hard one to fight. We make two steps up and he takes us three steps back. Will it ever end?/ I have read all the stuff he has done since i left it just keeps getting worst. What are the plans to help slow him down?? Some one clue me in.

Author

jada

Date

2006-03-14T00:45:07-06:00

ID

121526

Comment

FM claims to own a jet and said that he has his pilot license. "I fly myself home every weekend to visit my family" is a statement he made during his campaign for Mayor. Add this to the long list of lies told by this man. If he owns a jet and has a pilots lic., why didn't he fly his boys to the Bahamas???? It would have been so much cheaper and the City would not have a $1,800.00(+++++++) BILL. Think about it! Nightmare

Author

justjess

Date

2006-03-14T12:09:54-06:00

ID

121527

Comment

i'll tell you why. he wants to charge the $5526 to the city, not himself.

Author

jp!

Date

2006-03-14T12:45:25-06:00

ID

121528

Comment

QUESTION: If you take money from the City without premissionn - what is it called???? ANSWER: EMBEZZLEMENT QUESTION: Then, how do you pay "EMBEZZLED MONEY" back???? ANSWER: JAIL Nightmayor

Author

justjess

Date

2006-03-14T14:30:41-06:00

ID

121529

Comment

Frank needs a new travel agent. Checked Expedia and NO Jax to Nassau/Freeport conect through Dallas. Would've been much quicker going staight to Miami or Charlotte.

Author

JLYerg

Date

2006-03-15T01:06:44-06:00

ID

121530

Comment

What's partly odd about that JL is that Mr. Melton told some city officials he was going to Dallas Friday. He did, and then he flew to Miami, and then to the Bahamas apparently. And he flew American if that helps any. I have the flight no. somewhere.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-03-15T12:36:09-06:00

ID

121531

Comment

Hmmm sort of looks like a "throw off the trail" move. IF he has his own aircraft I can understand not flying to the Bahamas himself. Landing and parking fees for private aircraft are super steep in the Bahamas. Curiouser and curiouser ! I think Winnie the Pooh said that

Author

JLYerg

Date

2006-03-15T12:53:42-06:00

ID

121532

Comment

Earlier in this post I pointed out that Detroit and its mayor may be a good case study for when a city is being poorly managed. Well... Check this story posted to Fark regarding the Mayor's request to borrow $130 million because the city is broke! At least we haven't gotten to a point where we are making national news on a regular basis.

Author

pikersam

Date

2006-03-22T14:54:27-06:00

ID

121533

Comment

Well Pikersam, I hate to tell you this but national attention is just around the corner for this Mayor. If the balanced budget with a 6million+ fund left by the Johnson Administration has been depleted and the City is having problems even paying insurance for employees, how long do you think it will take before FM is exposed. This community can stay focused on this "Crime" and "Nekkid Lady's Club" binge if you like. Just know that he has blind folded us with Lil' Ray Ray and Pookie Man stories and we seem to be losing sight of the importance of economic development , business retention and education as it realates to the necessary ingredients for the survival of a City. Believe me, Jackson will be down the tube in no-time flat if this "Melton Madness" does not stop! You know, there is a formula known to our country's inner-cities and it goes like this: The community screams about crime = people leave = the tax base leaves and then the city is bankrupt. Jackson, during the last administration was on its way to becomming the "Best of the New South." Let's hold hands and speak with voices to unite this city and when there are leaders whose behaviors and voices do not represent pride and progress for our City, let's flush them out. We can not survive a human cancer eating away at the very soul of our city. It is not funny - It is frightening! Nightmayor

Author

justjess

Date

2006-03-22T16:23:30-06:00