Jackson Free Press

Six months after Mayor Frank Melton hired attorney and long-time supporter Dale Danks, the city still refuses to reveal how much Danks is being paid, despite the clear letter of the law.

The Jackson Free Press first requested Dale Danks' salary on Nov. 4, 2005, along with several other city employees. The city refused to release Danks' salary because he worked on contract; technically, he was not an employee. However, city contracts are also public documents, so this is a distinction without a difference.

On January 5, 2006, I requested Danks' contract. Contract. This time, the city did not refuse. Instead, the city made no response at all.

Nevertheless, I made one more try on Jan. 26, 2006. This time, I cited legal precedent making it absolutely clear that the city must disclose what Danks is paid. Specifically, Mississippi Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks v. Mississippi Wildlife Enforcement Officers' Ass'n, Inc., 740 So.2d 925 (Miss. 1999), and Harrison County Development Commission v. Henry W. Kinney, No. 2004-CA-00901-COA (Miss. Ct. App. Jan. 17, 2006). No seriously.

I admit it doesn't roll off the tongue, but nothing says, "Hey, pay attention!" like citing the law.

Alas, legal language is lost on this administration. "The City of Jackson does not have this information. Please contact the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Federation." Say What?!

Come again? Why would I contact the Department of Wildlife to find out what the city of Jackson pays Danks? And who ever said anything about the Wildlife Federation?

Either Danks works for the city, or he does not. Either the city pays him, or it does not. Six months in and three formal information requests later, the city still refuses to answer these questions. It almost makes you wish they'd hire some fancy lawyer.

Previous Comments

ID

172386

Comment

This administration is almost like a joke. It's like what don't they understand about citizens rights to public documents. It seems, and I may be wrong, that ever since Melton took office with his 'above the law' mentality, almost everyone in the administration has followed suit. They don't understand that they are not above the law. Good job, Brian, keep exposing these idiots, that call themselves representing the 'government'! It makes one wonder though, if this administration is blatantly breaking the law on issues so tedious, where other areas are the f-ing up in that they are hiding?

Author

jan2006

Date

2006-05-25T13:46:08-06:00

ID

172387

Comment

I meant: what other areas are they f-ing up in that they are hiding?

Author

jan2006

Date

2006-05-25T13:46:57-06:00

ID

172388

Comment

The word I use, jan2006, is "lawlessness." They believe they are above the law. And changing that must come from the top -- but I've seen no indication that Mr. Melton realizes that he is not above the law. And if Jim Hood gives him a free pass on any crime he is guilty of, it's going to be an outrage.

Author

ladd

Date

2006-05-25T13:49:25-06:00

ID

172389

Comment

i like that term, "lawlessness," i'll have to use that :) If hood does do the free pass, it's going to just continue and get worse 'till we can oust him! and i'm all for it! I'm tired of all the lies and of all the media games. too miuch drama surrounds this administration, to the point where the focus is no longer what's best for this city

Author

jan2006

Date

2006-05-25T13:56:35-06:00

ID

172390

Comment

I'll also add that if there is ANYTHING that's driving me crazy in all this, it's the condescending tone that Hood (and Ben & Larry) this morning used about "having the two sit down together" and work it out. By doing that, they are diminishing the problems that Melton is causing and then making it look like it's a spat between people who can't get along -- all of whom happen to be black. This is really starting to bug me. There is no reason for Peterson to sit down with Melton. She is the D.A. and is doing the right thing. Same with Crisler: As Council president, it is his job to make sure that City Hall is not trampling on people's rights. People need to stop helping Mr. Melton abdicate his responsibility. And in the process, they are turning him into a pitiful caricature of himself. If people would stand up and make him take personal responsibility, maybe he could salvage his public image. As it is, he is becoming a sad mockery. Stop enabling him, folks. And Mr. Hood, do your job, or we're going to nail your hide against the wall. And all of you, stop acting like it's just a bunch of black people who can't get along. That's insulting to all of us.

Author

ladd

Date

2006-05-25T14:02:13-06:00

ID

172391

Comment

That Rot at the top seems to be the only thing trickling down......... Notice the correlation? Hypocrisy? Become a criminal to catch the criminal.

Author

JAC

Date

2006-05-25T14:10:04-06:00

ID

172392

Comment

Ladd: "By doing that, they are diminishing the problems that Melton is causing and then making it look like it's a spat between people who can't get along -- all of whom happen to be black. This is really starting to bug me." Very insightful..I'm bugged by the same thing. But the only reason that it is viewed that way by Ben & Larry and Hood is precisely because Melton and Peterson ARE black. It is not only condesecending, but is one of the subtle manifestations of subconcious racism. There would be a much different response if one or the other or both were white. Fortunately for Jackson, as has been the case far too many times in our past, there is always the Feds should Hood punts on this.

Author

tomac

Date

2006-05-26T00:44:01-06:00

ID

172393

Comment

Hood is getting too big for his britches. I saw the Southern Strategy in his response to the Killen case, I'm seeing it again now, and I'm getting a little tired of it. If he is not willing to do his job, I'm sure there are plenty of other candidates who want it. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-05-26T03:11:58-06:00

ID

172394

Comment

I don't know of hardly anyone that has been able to get answers for anything lately. I have tried to get some onfo from the city as well, and have yet to receive any type of response. I wonder how long will this go on before some entity with the power to stop tis maddness will intervene.

Author

lance

Date

2006-05-26T08:31:37-06:00

ID

172395

Comment

I have to give Melton credit for his performance on last night's newscast, when he reacted to D.A. Peterson's refusal to meet with him and the A.G. to discuss their issues. His tone of being hurt and offended by Peterson's response was worth of an Oscar! Bravo, Mayor, Bravo! I'm sure it played well with the pro-Melton crowd, who probably see him as being willing to work things out, while Peterson looks like a b-itch who just wants to get back at the Mayor over the cases SHE lost. Melton can play the media game well when he wants to.

Author

jeff lucas

Date

2006-05-26T08:35:04-06:00

ID

172396

Comment

In Peterson' defense, she doesn't want to look like she's compromising her job duties by giving the mayor a break she couldn't dutifully give others. I think she's taking the correct position. She said she would meet with him under a circumstance absent Hood. Sh'e proving to have far more sense than people are willing to give her credit for. It seems hood is a Melton supporter.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-05-26T08:55:40-06:00

ID

172397

Comment

I know its wrong but i havea pending case and all these distractions might make it easier for faye to justtoss it out. And you could find out how much he makes if you buy the right daughter a drink at a certain restaurant that starts with J and ends with ulep. Blonde hair really"tan" fake hooties. Can't miss her. Sometimes the legal way may not work like it's supposed to. You might even get lucky. ;-)

Author

*SuperStar*

Date

2006-05-26T09:19:19-06:00

ID

172398

Comment

Brian is an honorable man who wouldn't date to get a record.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-05-26T09:33:34-06:00

ID

172399

Comment

Thanks for the strategery SuperStar, but I do not know if I am that hungry for a story. (I know that Hunter Thompson would do it in a second.) Besides, fakes are a major turn-off, in my book. Thank you for the vote of confidence in my honor Ray. :) It almost does seem that Hood is a Melton supporter. Whether he is or not, what is this malarky about getting Peterson and Melton together to "talk." Hood is not a mediator, nor is he qualified to offer "couples" counseling. He is the attorney general. If the concerns Peterson has brought to his office warrant charges, he should pursue them.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2006-05-26T10:35:20-06:00

ID

172400

Comment

I'm not sure what the "Southern Strategy" is as it relates to Hood, but what I see is someone making a political calculation based on Melton's perceived popularity outside of Jackson, and he seems to be trying to appear "above the fray" instead of taking Peterson's side in opposing Melton directly. Perhaps in his mind, he gains nothing politically from picking a fight against a still somewhat popular mayor, especially if he thinks the evidence on him is circumstantial at best. There are also racial implications in that blacks outside of the Metro may resent him "picking on" Melton for trying to clean up Jackson, and that could hurt Hood in the long run if he has gubernatorial aspirations like I keep hearing.

Author

jeff lucas

Date

2006-05-26T10:50:09-06:00

ID

172401

Comment

Let me rephrase that 3rd sentence. Instead of saying circumstantial, I'm suggesting that he (Hood) may not see criminal intent in Melton's actions for whatever reason, and is trying to give him a chance to make self-corrections before pursuing a case against him.

Author

jeff lucas

Date

2006-05-26T10:55:56-06:00

ID

172402

Comment

At the very least, it certainly looks as if Hood is afraid to offend Melton supporters by doing something beyond trying to mediate a dispute between two public officials. The route he seems to be choosing is a real insult to Peterson, who is the one doing her job here, trying to protect individual rights, and keep Jacksonians (and potentially the mayor) from getting killed—and taking a huge political risk herself in so doing. It is a major disappointment to see Hood play politics at a time like this. It is also an insult to Melton, who is being treated like a little child who cannot be held responsible for his own actions. Of course, the whole city treats Melton that way, or much of it. Is this really what black Mississippians wanted from the Civil Rights Movement? Such condesension? It's hard to imagine.

Author

ladd

Date

2006-05-26T11:23:44-06:00

ID

172403

Comment

No Ladd this is not what we fought for. Hood is making a mockery of our Civil Rights. He should remember who really voted for him. I think it was reported that the Mayor didn't even vote in that election. Besides Hood took an oath to uphold the law. Can he be impeached???

Author

jada

Date

2006-05-26T18:45:19-06:00

ID

172404

Comment

If I read the transcript of Hood's findings, it doesn't seem that there's anything actually illegal about the way Melton behaves. It could get him into Civil trouble, but nothing criminal. Accusing anyone of being racist is a sure method to earn their disinterest in future affairs.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-06-01T14:45:42-06:00

ID

172405

Comment

I don't understand... why then does the AG say that Melton cannot be charged by the State of Ms but then goes on to say that if Melton repeats these behaviors he will be prosecuted. IMO, AG is simply giving Melton 1 get out of jail free card.

Author

jan2006

Date

2006-06-01T15:39:24-06:00

ID

172406

Comment

That does seem to be the question o' the day, jan. It doesn't make sense.

Author

ladd

Date

2006-06-01T15:41:40-06:00

ID

172407

Comment

I think the answer to this lies in the fact that many of his actions were definitely on the line, and possibly over the line but nevertheless arguably not over the line. It could go either way depending on the amount of proof either side could produce. I'm now convinved he was getting some legal counsel along the way. I'm just surprised so many of his advisers and staff would go along with this. I guess all of them wanted to "see crime fighting like (they) have never seen before."

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-06-01T16:12:32-06:00