Jackson Free Press

This morning in front of packed City Council chamber, with upset citizens spilling into the hallway, Councilman Ben Allen announced that he will now support an investigation of Mayor Frank Melton's alleged illegal actions, if by 4:30 p.m. this Friday, professional investigators have not "wrapped up" their probes. Allen said, if that is case, he would call for a Council-led investigation of Melton and his entourage that would begin the following Monday. Melton's alleged rampage through a Ridgeway Street duplex was was first reported by the Jackson Free Press on Sept. 1.

Allen said he will ask that every council member be sworn in; the meetings will be open to the public unless they involve personnel or litigious issues. In that case, they will be closed. There will be a gag order making it illegal for anyone participating in a closed session to discuss what happens in the closed sessions. The council would give the public regular briefings about the hearings. He told Chief City Admiministratr Robert Walker that if the session on Monday happened, he anticipates that city legal would be subpoenaed first, followed that afternoon by members of the Jackson Police Department. They would then skip the Tuesday session and resume Wednesday, at which time they would subpoena members of the administration to appear and testify.

At the conclusion of the City Council session, Allen clarified several points to the JFP. One, he would not support an investigation if other investigative bodies had brought felony charges against Melton or exonerated him by Friday. He also said that he would seek legal advice from the county because the city's legal department would be subpoenaed in any council investigation. Those legal advisers from the county would help the council determine when to enter executive session on "personnel or litigious issues." Some protocols for the investigation are governed by state law, Allen said, but rules such as a proposed gag order would be voted upon by council itself.

Allen's announcement came in a contentious City Council session lasting more three hours. All City Council members were present, as well as Walker and City Attorney Sarah O'Reilly-Evans. Chief of Staff Marcus Ward and JPD Police Chief Shirlene Anderson observed from outside chambers. Melton did not attend, with reports that he is in Texas.

Discussion of an investigation was one of a number of emergency items brought by members. Such items require unanimous consent to be brought before council, and not one received such consent. The motion for an investigation was brought by Margaret Barrett-Simon, Leslie McLemore and Marshand Crisler. Councilman Frank Bluntson, a devoted friend and defender of Melton, objected.

Allen then proposed that council members be given five minutes each to explain their positions, but Councilman Kenneth Stokes objected to any discussion of the matter because it had not received unanimous consent.

"I think it's only right that we discuss this matter out of courtesy to all of the people here," Allen said. He proposed that council suspend the rules in order to discuss the matter, and this measure was passed 4-3, with Allen voting with Barrett-Simon, McLemore and Crisler. At this point, O-Reilly-Evans said she believed that a supermajority consisting of five affirmative votes was necessary to suspend the rules.

"With all due respect, that's your opinion," Crisler said pointedly.

"We discuss things not on the agenda all the time," McLemore concurred. "I don't see any reason why we shouldn't discuss it. And I am curious as to why my colleague from Ward 4 does not want to hear this." Bluntson represents Ward 4.

O-Reilly-Evans returned with a large black book and confirmed that a supermajority was required.

"We are not asking for any action on this matter," Barrett-Simon said, "but to ignore the people because of some rule is very troubling to me."

"Sometimes we seem to forget that this is a government of, for and by the people," Allen said.

Allen then determined that the issue would be discussed at the conclusion of other business. There was not another vote on the matter.

Stokes attempted to bring an emergency item on his proposed ordinance for the abatement of crack houses. Barrett-Simon objected. "I think the timing is very inappropriate," she said.

"It's a shame that in some neighborhoods we let these crack houses destroy quality of life," Stokes said. "For a member of this council to oppose abatement of crack houses, I don't understand that."

"I speak as someone who has lots of experience with shutting down crack houses," Crisler said. "But there's a way to do it. You need expertise in the field. When I've shut down crack houses, they've been shut down legally. By the book. You can't just point at a house and say it's a crack house." Crisler characterized Melton's alleged actions as "gestapo tactics."

"If you don't know what's a crack house," Stokes retorted, "you're a damned fool." Stokes added that the city needed to combat drugs "by any means necessary."

"We need to arrest the person doing drugs," McLemore said, when it was his turn to speak. "Don't take it out on the house."

Bluntson said that he did not think there was any point in discussing the matter because there was nothing council could do about it anyway. He then rattled off a long list of crime victims. "We doesn't anybody hold a news conference about them?" he asked.

Several comments from council members were met by applause or jeers from the audience, prompting Allen to post two police officers in the chambers. During remarks from Stokes, Bob Oertel interrupted from the audience. "Was any crack actually bought at this house?" he asked. Allen used his gavel and warned the public that he would clear the chamber if he thought it necessary.

"Investigative power is one of the most important powers this council has," Barrett-Simon said. "It has never been abused. It has never been used, not once in my 21 years on council, so you can see that I take it very seriously. ... Not only is an investigation our right, it is our duty."

"I want the record to reflect that I don't condone what happened to that house," Bluntson said. He then reiterated his stance that victims were being lost in all the attention placed on Melton.

"If this mayor had been white and done this," McLemore said, "he would have been run out of office, not yesterday but last month. ... I don't care if we have 20 investigations. We cannot stick our heads in the sand, which is what we've been doing."

It was at this point that Allen announced his support for an investigation, "if certain criteria are met."

Members of the public who had signed up for comment were then given an opportunity to speak. Jaribu Hill of the Magnolia Bar Association called for an official investigation. "We too are opposed to any further proliferation of violence and drugs in our neighborhoods," she said, "but we cannot condone breaking the law."

Stokes asked Hill if she would read and consider endorsing his crack abatement ordinance. "We would never be able to support an ordinance that does not grant citizens due process under the law. So my guess is that we would not be able to support your ordinance," she answered.

Nsombi Lambright of the ACLU called for City Council to establish a citizens' police review board and passed out legislation from other cities to members of council. "This problem didn't start with this administration, but it has become much worse," she said.

Brent Cox, who is also with the ACLU but spoke on his own behalf only, challenged Allen and the council to bring transparency to their investigation. "People in these neighborhoods have told me that they are buying guns for protection, not from criminals but from the mayor. These are not alleged drug dealers but people who have lived there for 30 years. ... It's not enough to get to the bottom of things. City Council needs to restore the faith of people in their government. They see you as secretive."

Stokes challenged Cox and questioned the veracity of his claim about people buying guns. "You're telling me that these people support the crack dealers?" Stokes asked.

Cox accused Stokes of positing a false dichotomy. When Stokes cut Cox off, McLemore interrupted Stokes. "This is not a debate. You are not allowed to debate him," McLemore told Stokes. Allen pounded the gavel, asking Stokes to be silent and Cox to return to his seat.

Henry Fuller, 21, said he was a resident of Ward 4. "I am very upset with my elected officials right now," Fuller said. "I've seen young African-American men grabbed by their throats and thrown down stairs by private security and some police officers. ... We are not thugs. We are not imbeciles. We are not criminals. Some of us are more qualified to be elected officials than some of you. And you're going to see that in the next election."

Previous Comments

ID

123403

Comment

Great start! Ben Allen is finally seeing the light (or darkness, as it were).

Author

Kacy

Date

2006-09-12T12:23:20-06:00

ID

123404

Comment

Agreed. Cheers to Ben.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-09-12T12:24:03-06:00

ID

123405

Comment

What are the chances that Mr. Melton will simply put an end to all of this and resign with what little dignity he still possesses?

Author

tombarnes

Date

2006-09-12T12:46:49-06:00

ID

123406

Comment

It's hard to say. There are resignation rumors flying fast and furious since the weekend, but it's hard to say what Mr. Melton will actually do. And even if he does resign, he should still be prosecuted. It would seem to make little sense for him to leave office, then try to rebuild his folk-hero status and trash his detractors, and then try to take power again. Personally, I fear that would happen if he's not prosecuted; it seems unlikely at the moment, but .... And it wouldn't be fair to the victims, or send the right message to other criminals, to allow him to get away with criminal acts, if he did what he is accused of doing.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-09-12T12:50:46-06:00

ID

123407

Comment

The things I said in an earlier post on another topic (on JFP) about Mr. Allen's hesitancy to criticize Frank --- due to his fear of being perceived as the "lone White council president attacking a Black mayor," I take it all back. KUDOS, Ben!!! You are not attacking. You are doing what's RIGHT --not for Jackson alone, but for all who treasure justice.

Author

blu_n_a_redstate

Date

2006-09-12T13:12:22-06:00

ID

123408

Comment

I don't want to see Melton in jail, but I have to agree with Donna. The law is the law for everybody, or it isn't really the law. On the Other Blog--I hate to keep bringing them up, but that's the only place you can see Melton's argument explicated and defended--they say that you can't fight crime without profiling on the basis of race and class. Unlike modern conservatives like Bush, blatant southern strategy conservatives don't deny the prevalence of profiling--they acknowledge and celebrate it. If Evans Welch gets prosecuted but Frank Melton doesn't, we confirm that argument--and send a chilling message in the process. Lord knows that if Evans Welch took a sledgehammer to somebody's house, he wouldn't get off with a warning. The privileged and powerful should be treated no differently. Oh, and Donna, I'm eating crow and starting to like the taste. You were always quietly and respectfully skeptical of my lambasting of AG Hood--and have been proven correct. You always highlighted how reasonable you thought Ben was--and have been proven correct. People say that I'm your lapdog and believe everything you say. That isn't true, but you know, I'd probably be right more often if I was. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-09-12T13:17:49-06:00

ID

123409

Comment

I would love to see him resign. I can see such a deal being made, but I hope and pray he won't ever re-appear except as the super-hero character I mentioned in the other column. I know I'm sick in the head, but I'd love to see if he really has super-hero powers. Going on a personal crusade without the color of law or office of mayor, and still clearing Jackson of drug dealers and criminals, would win me over and make me a fan. I'll even help with his medical expenses as there would surely be some. Even super man ran into krytopnite a time or two.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-09-12T13:18:49-06:00

ID

123410

Comment

Y'know, I know you're joking, but I think Frank Melton honestly has no clue how to fight crime directly. The fact that he's acting like Batman is evidence of that, because in the real world Batman would be a laughably ineffective crimefighter good for contaminating evidence, and not being present as a witness at trials, but not much else. What Melton might be good at is mentoring young at-risk youth. If he were to start up and fund a nonprofit to this effect--kind of a Wood Street version of Operation Shoestring--it could be a very good thing for Jackson. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-09-12T13:28:53-06:00

ID

123411

Comment

Unlike modern conservatives like Bush, blatant southern strategy conservatives don't deny the prevalence of profiling--they acknowledge and celebrate it. Wow, that's really dumb, based on basic research, and shows that they are no better than they're WCC predecessors. But we knew that already. It's remarkable that they'd say that stuff out loud. Most folks who hold onto the old ideas try to at least pretend they don't. Also, Tom, I appreciate your coments, but I don't want you to believe everything I say. I want you and others to demand evidence and hard reporting to back up our opinions. One thing I will say about me and my staff—we believe in supporting our statements with hard facts. And we are willing to change our minds based on new facts. I could give a damn about how the political winds blow. Right is right. All that said, some of my personal viewpoints come from cutting through all the muck and looking people like Jim Hood in the eye and really listening to what he's saying. Same for Faye Peterson, Frank Melton, Harvey Johnson, Ben Allen, and so on. Our society doesn't listen enough; if we did, we wouldn't get caught up on in so many messes that we have to waste so much time cleaning up long after we should have. Right now is not the time for told-you-so's. It's time to clean up this mess, and get our city refocused on what matters. Ronnie Agnew was right that Melton has split the city horribly, which was always at the core of his program. But what Ronnie might not realize is that people coming together now to say "no more" is going to pull us back together, with only a few discredited stragglers who won't face the truth left behind. And that will be good for us. The hard work is still ahead, though. On that note, I have an editor's note to finish.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-09-12T13:33:48-06:00

ID

123412

Comment

I wonder what would happen to Margaret Barrett Simon if she were mayor and took a sledgehammer and tore down that man's home on Ridgeway street? Just a thought.

Author

blu_n_a_redstate

Date

2006-09-12T13:34:00-06:00

ID

123413

Comment

Also, Tom, let's not push him to open the mentoring program just, yet. Don't forget he's accused on turning minors into criminals on the evening of Aug. 26. That isn't a man who should be teaching kids to do anything.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-09-12T13:34:55-06:00

ID

123414

Comment

I was at the Council meeting today. What I heard from Councilman Stokes sickened me. He said and I quote "By any means necessary. The mayor used a sledgehammer. I would have used a bulldozer. Anybody that can't look at a house and tell it's a crack house is a damn fool." He also said he thought it was wrong to criticize the Mayor's actions when he [the Mayor] came to help. Personally, I don't know what a crack house is supposed to look like. If anyone does, please let me know.

Author

Constituent

Date

2006-09-12T13:51:57-06:00

ID

123415

Comment

Melton should resign and be prosecuted. Unlike Tom, I *do* want to see him in jail. He's set this city way, way back in the short time he's been mayor. I amazed at the damage he's done in so short a time. He may need treatment, in addition to jail, but he's got to be stopped.

Author

kate

Date

2006-09-12T13:54:50-06:00

ID

123416

Comment

What I heard from Councilman Stokes sickened me. He said and I quote "By any means necessary. The mayor used a sledgehammer. I would have used a bulldozer. Yeah, well. I have one response: What would Malcolm say? Did the man who coined that phrase in response to massive abuse by the (then white) power structure on the backs of poor blacks really, truly approve of the cynical way those words are being throw around now? Malcolm was calling for self-defense—against law enforcement and other thugs who were doing anything they wanted with African Americans, inevitably claiming that crime was the reason. Malcolm X: We want freedom by any means necessary. We want justice by any means necessary. We want equality by any means necessary." And A. Philip Randolph: "A community is democratic only when the humblest and weakest person can enjoy the highest civil, economic, and social rights that the biggest and most powerful possess."

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-09-12T13:57:20-06:00

ID

123417

Comment

Kate, it's hard to imagine a scenario in which law enforcement would try to punt and *not* prosecute him at this point if the evidence is there (and word is that it is). Not prosecuting would be irreponsible and send entirely the wrong message to the citizens of Jackson -- that, yet once again, their rights don't matter and that some people are above the law.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-09-12T13:59:37-06:00

ID

123418

Comment

Did Ben say the council would conduct a public investigation only if a vote to do so were unanimous, or only if a majority approves an investigation? If the vote has to be unanimous, I don't think an investigation will happen considering Mr. Stokes' stonewalling. Ben, if you read this, would you please clarify for me? Will the vote have to be a majority or unanimous?

Author

Brent Cox

Date

2006-09-12T14:04:12-06:00

ID

123419

Comment

I agree Donna, but it's also hard to imagine that we live in a society where the Mayor attacks the citizens, the main stream media ignores the story for a week, the City Council is divided on whether or not to investigate, and the leader of the Safe City group seems more concerned about Melton's PR fallout than the rights of citizens. So, I'm not counting on any one behaving rationally any more.

Author

kate

Date

2006-09-12T14:06:09-06:00

ID

123420

Comment

My understanding at the meeting was that it (the investigation) needed only a majority to pass.

Author

urbangypsy

Date

2006-09-12T14:09:12-06:00

ID

123421

Comment

I was also at the Council meeting. Every time Stokes opened his mouth, it made me squirm in my seat. If the Council is worried about the city's liability, then someone needs to stuff a sock in Kenneth Stokes' mouth. He continued to INSIST that the Ridgeway home was a KNOWN crack house, and he intimated that Evans Welch is a crack dealer. Where's the evidence?? As of yesterday, Welch is only charged with possession of paraphernalia and contempt of court. I would think a case could be made for slander, both by Welch and homeowner Jennifer Sutton. Making REPEATED unsubstantiated allegations about crack cocaine is almost as irresponsible as taking a sledgehammer to a person's home.

Author

JAR

Date

2006-09-12T14:15:24-06:00

ID

123422

Comment

Thanks Donna for quoting one of my all time favorite heroes. I put only Dr. King slightly above him. I think Malcolm might agree with Stokes' use of the terms considering the damage and paralysis drugs have done in the black communities. But like me, he would be very skeptical and disaproving of the timing and purpose of Stokes' use of them. I likewise doubt Malcolm would be in favor of dubious actions supposedly meant to free citizens of drugs that ultimately failed do so due to lawlessness on the part of government officials who failed to follow the law. Malcolm wanted real results. So do I. We need a crime plan and a real crime-fighter for that. Not the idiot we have now. That's the double-truth, Ruth. Sho nuff.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-09-12T14:15:36-06:00

ID

123423

Comment

Agreed all around, Ray. The big problem Stokes, Melton et al have here is that they cannot show how these actions are actually helping rid black communities of drugs. Adding crime, yes. Losing drugs, no. It's a bunch of excuses.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-09-12T14:19:54-06:00

ID

123424

Comment

I sat through the entire meeting. This thing will come to an end soon. You can smell the fear of the last few Melton supporters. It's almost over folks. btw, Dr. McLemore owned that chamber when he spoke.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2006-09-12T14:32:42-06:00

ID

123425

Comment

I agree wholeheartedly, Ladd, that not prosecuting Melton criminally, whether he resigns as Mayor or not, would be a gross miscarriage of justice! If he's sent to prison, I have some advice for his jailer...If anybody brings him a cake, check it for sledgehammers!

Author

JAR

Date

2006-09-12T14:35:07-06:00

ID

123426

Comment

By the way, Donna, if I recall correctly, Justin McCoy of the NAACP made the same point you did (more or less) about Malcolm X in City Council today.

Author

Brian Johnson

Date

2006-09-12T14:40:02-06:00

ID

123427

Comment

Brent, the item will be on the regular agenda for next Tuesday's meeting. It will not require unanimous consent for discussion. It will only take a majority vote to authorize the investigation.

Author

Sarah Bentley

Date

2006-09-12T14:40:23-06:00

ID

123428

Comment

Good, Brian. Don't you mean Gus McCoy? (He rocks.) The idea of using Malcolm's words to justify the same kind of actions he was railing again, not committed by a biracial bunch, is plain wrong.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-09-12T14:46:03-06:00

ID

123429

Comment

Thank you, Sarah. I'm glad that I misheard him. My other concern is that the council may go into closed session when discussing items of potential litigation. By that standard, most of what's being investigated could be considered grounds for going into closed session--which would compound the impression that the council is a closed, clandestine body that cares about hiding its secrets, not about transparency and accountability.

Author

Brent Cox

Date

2006-09-12T14:49:45-06:00

ID

123430

Comment

I agree about Doc McL owning the chamber but thought Marshand was great as well. And kudos to Jeribu (Magnolia Bar) Nashombi (ACLU) and Gus (NAACP) for being eloquent and firm with their comments. The citizens of Jackson deserve for their elected officials to be held accountable. Thanks to all who came out today.

Author

urbangypsy

Date

2006-09-12T14:50:39-06:00

ID

123431

Comment

Yeah, we need to figure out if that part is legal, or required legally. They should keep as much as this as possible in the open. Thoughts, anyone? Also, a quickie question: Can anyone tell me if city employees get paychecks every two weeks or twice a month?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-09-12T14:58:17-06:00

ID

123432

Comment

Depends. Part-timers get paid at the end of each week. But full-timers get paid twice a month.

Author

Sarah Bentley

Date

2006-09-12T15:03:24-06:00

ID

123433

Comment

Excellent. That's what I need to know. Thanks!

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-09-12T15:03:55-06:00

ID

123434

Comment

Donna writes: Also, Tom, I appreciate your coments, but I don't want you to believe everything I say. Don't worry. I couldn't stop being a skeptic if I tried. Hell, I have doubts about half of what I say, never mind what other people say! Also, Tom, let's not push him to open the mentoring program just, yet. Don't forget he's accused on turning minors into criminals on the evening of Aug. 26. That isn't a man who should be teaching kids to do anything. Not unsupervised, certainly, but Melton has so much passion and so many gifts. It'd be nice if there were some way that he could channel all that back into the community. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-09-12T15:50:11-06:00

ID

123435

Comment

Tom, unless Revern-Get-Him-Right can cure Melton he doesn't need to be around children either. Again, I propose channeling that passion into "on his own super-hero-crime-fighter". This way, he won't have to answer or be accountable to anyone except a higher authority, assuming there is a force or source above the "ultimate authority."

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-09-12T15:59:27-06:00

ID

123436

Comment

I haven’t heard anyone asks the questions, “Why was it necessary for these young kids to be with the Mayor at the Virden Addition’s “drug raid” and the arrest at the Upper Level? Who are they and what happened to the police department? Wouldn’t the City be liable if any of these kids, working on behalf of the City of Jackson, have gotten hurt? Furthermore, neither this youth workforce nor the City staff is properly identified, attired, or trained when demolishing housing. Where OSHA or the EPA? What message do the Mayor’s antics send to young people? Don’t become an ordinary street thug and commit crime, instead get elected and then you are above the law. Our mayor is determined to be a delusional actor starring in some form of a horrible B-movie. Unfortunately, the citizens of Jackson have become the supporting cast.

Author

joiedevie

Date

2006-09-12T16:28:43-06:00

ID

123437

Comment

...and so did Fantasia from American Idol. At some point, the jig is up and you must come face to tace with what is. This is the only true way that one can heals or is allowed to prepare the self for what is desired.. What are the Melton gifts Cheers that you speak of. This is really the kind of unfounded, unevidenced rhetoric thrown around that landed Melton at the head of this City. Melton said that he was a Social Worker in Texas. Melton said that he was part owner of the Texas TV Station. Melton claims to be a college graduate and with deceased parents who were educators and a father who was secrete service for George Bush. Melton claims he own 2 airplanes and says he has a pilot's lic., He claims to have 150 students presently in colleges and universities all over the world l and says he pays the total cost for educating them. Melton, Melton,Melton, (I, ME and MY) The stories go on and on so at this point, we need evidence.

Author

justjess

Date

2006-09-12T16:40:43-06:00

ID

123438

Comment

Forgive me people. I have forgotten to say lately that "You will see crime-fighting like you have never seen it before." How many of us felt in our wildest imagination that comment meant Frank would personally lead a gang of boys, juveniles, thugs, or men into a person's house, repotredly hit the tenant in the head, and sledgehammer the house. Not in our wildest dream did we feel Frank either meant or was capable of this. If if this was a crack house, Frank still can't be defended as many others have said several times before. If Melton's supporters win this one, they're likely skilled enough to re-write the history of the world, because what we already know won't mean a thing. For your edification, you can't draw up an affidavit and succeed in getting a search warrant because you suspect or conjecture a house looks like a crack house. You have to present evidentiary facts supporting a claim that a house contains crack or evidence of a crime. No judge would issue a search warrant on rank speculation of someone saying a house looks like a crack house to them. Otherwise, the flood gates would be opened up and a Melton-like individual would be running through like a steroid-filled Ben Johnson.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-09-12T16:45:20-06:00

ID

123439

Comment

I guess the ansswer can be found in the riddles: How did he choose to live with these kids rather than his own? Why did he choose to live with these kids rather than his spouse? Sorry joiedevie, that's the best I can come up with at this point.

Author

justjess

Date

2006-09-12T16:51:11-06:00

ID

123440

Comment

urbangypsy: I agree about Doc McL owning the chamber but thought Marshand was great as well. And kudos to Jeribu (Magnolia Bar) Nashombi (ACLU) and Gus (NAACP) for being eloquent and firm with their comments. They were all wonderful. And what about Jeribu taking Kenny Stokes to task? She whipped him and essentially told him to stick his little resolution up his a$$...in a very professional way of course. If those two meet in the ring...put your money on Jeribu.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2006-09-12T16:53:12-06:00

ID

123441

Comment

I’m not so prepared to praise Mr. Allen just yet. Mr. Allen should have initially supported an investigation, and now that he has, in my opinion, it would seem more of a bluff then anything. A bluff that am sure Mr. Allen does not want to have called, but nonetheless IMHO Mr. Allen and Melton are confident in things being “wrapped up” Friday by 4:30.

Author

K RHODES

Date

2006-09-12T16:53:58-06:00

ID

123442

Comment

Hey, I'm terrified of Jeribu. Love her, though. ;-) I hear Brent Cox did OK, too.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-09-12T16:55:02-06:00

ID

123443

Comment

Brent Cox did GREAT! I was also impressed with Bob Oertel who shouted out from the back of the audience, "Was any crack actually bought at this house?" He TRIED to call Stokes out on his lie. I wish Ben Allen had allowed the question to be answered.

Author

JAR

Date

2006-09-12T17:25:32-06:00

ID

123444

Comment

Constituent quoted Stokes as saying, "Anybody that can't look at a house and tell that it's a crack house is a damn fool." WAPT reports:JACKSON, Miss. --" At Tuesday's Jackson City Council meeting, Councilman Kenneth Stokes said he will propose allowing the mayor to tear down alleged drug houses. Residents in the Virden Addition said that Mayor Frank Melton and his entourage tore down a home on Ridgeway Street on Aug. 26. Stokes said that his only problem with the allegations against the mayor is that Melton may have used a sledgehammer to tear down the house." In the Council meeting Stokes said that he would have used a bulldozer. This is scary stuff!!

Author

JAR

Date

2006-09-12T17:42:18-06:00

ID

123445

Comment

Just to make the understanding of the vote clear, the Council needs a major majority (meaning 2/3) so they need five votes. That was said at the meeting today.

Author

Constituent

Date

2006-09-12T18:45:39-06:00

ID

123446

Comment

In the Council meeting Stokes said that he would have used a bulldozer. This is scary stuff!! -JAR That statement was made from a scary man. No one is their right mind would over the legal side of this issue. I was at the council meeting too and I was well pleased when Councilman McLemore told Councilman Bluntson that everyone agrees that crack houses should be torn down, but there was a very important word that has seemed to been overlooked........PROCEDURE! It's amazing how Stokes would fight with every fiber of his being to make sure that policies are implemented when he commented throughout the council meeting, but he forgot to consider that the mayor did not follow policy when he tore up that house. Every day it becomes more evident that Melton has Stokes in his back pocket along with Tillman and Bluntson.

Author

lance

Date

2006-09-12T18:54:44-06:00

ID

123447

Comment

When has Stokes ever been about consistency? He once owned crackhouses. He once held a press conference over in Eastover accusing the po-lice of targeting his area because it was Black saying such a thing would never happen in Eastover. Now he wants to bulldoze them all when he has fought almost every serious effort at fighting crime before Melton took office. let the arrows fly.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-09-12T19:29:34-06:00

ID

123448

Comment

Standing at the back of the auditorium I could hear gasps and murmurings whenever Stokes spoke. It was truly disturbing to hear a city councilman say due process could be abandoned whenever doing so is judged "necessary". Who will decide when it's "necessary"? Mr. Stokes? The mayor? Who wants little tyrants walking around Jackson deciding who has rights today and who doesn't? I'm very relieved that people were horrified when Mr. Stokes spoke his mind.

Author

Brent Cox

Date

2006-09-12T19:44:58-06:00

ID

123449

Comment

WAPT report with Dr. McLemore's comments. Good stuff! http://www.wapt.com/video/9833522/index.html

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2006-09-12T19:52:44-06:00

ID

123450

Comment

Brent... You held your own standing up to that loudmouth Stokes. I especially like the "babies in the river analogy" quote from your father. Good job.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2006-09-12T19:58:39-06:00

ID

123451

Comment

Thanks, Cliff. I'd never used the analogy because it always seemed so bizarre to me. But it's applicable. A crazy mayor who assaults citizens is so obviously part of the origin of the crime problem, just as much if not moreseo than crack-dealers. A city councilman who would burn the 4th Amendment whenever it suits his needs is part of the origin of lawlessness.

Author

Brent Cox

Date

2006-09-12T20:46:35-06:00

ID

123452

Comment

Why isn't there a recell/recation for Mr. Stokes? It would appear that all credibility has been trampled at this point.

Author

tombarnes

Date

2006-09-12T20:56:22-06:00

ID

123453

Comment

Why isn't there a recell/recation for Mr. Stokes? It would appear that all credibility has been trampled at this point. 1. There is no recall for municipal officials in Miss. 2. Stokes I believe still has significant sway over Ward 3, and his sins will be forgiven by the next election. 3. There is a disconnect between Melton's actions and Stokes' rhetoric. I believe most of his constituents believe he (Stokes) has his heart in the right place support his desire to get the drugs out of the hood, they just don't want Melton coming around like an Italian mobster terrorizing the community in the process. Call me cynical, but this isn't enough for Ward 3 to demand change.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-09-12T21:24:03-06:00

ID

123454

Comment

Well, well, well. If Ben Allen didn't (gasp!) have a plan all along...

Author

charlotte

Date

2006-09-12T21:32:06-06:00

ID

123455

Comment

I would think that this should be the time for Jackson to think about a recall mechanism for its elected officials. Why is this not being considered? Perhaps it would take a groundswell, but it appears that it needs to be on the table.

Author

tombarnes

Date

2006-09-12T21:42:14-06:00

ID

123456

Comment

Stokes has his ward locked down. He's a machine politician, pure and simple. Tammany Hall has nothing on him.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-09-12T21:55:34-06:00

ID

123457

Comment

LOL... You call damage control a plan charlotte.... ROTFLMAO!!!!! BTW: If you saw Charles Evers on WAPT, he is a sick man. He wants melton to say on as mayor even if he is indited! He says to hold out cause he doesn't think 12 people will convict him.... Guess Charles has lost a little as time goes on? How is that good for Jackson Charles?

Author

pikersam

Date

2006-09-12T22:19:30-06:00

ID

123458

Comment

I'm sad that charles Evers would even be considered to be a force in Mississippi politics today. Evers represents the past- and whatever nobility might be connected with his ralation to his brother is now in the past. Mississippi needs to move into the future. Are politicians endorsed by the King of Fayette therefore golden? I have no confidence in any politician granted by race, party, or gender. I hope that the politics of race may be left out of the coming (?) mayoral election.

Author

tombarnes

Date

2006-09-12T22:40:32-06:00

ID

123459

Comment

Also, I find it hard to swallow the "didn't want to create a media circus" for the change of heart towards the announced *possibility* of a council investigation. When Mayor Melton decided to tear the house up, he created the media circus. When he got on the news late that evening accused of allowing the beating of Mr. Moore, he created the media circus. When he snickered when asked about smashing the house up, he created the media circus. When blind loyalists stick up for him, they are creating a media circus. The people and the media (some of whom are just now opening their eyes) did not create the media circus!

Author

pikersam

Date

2006-09-12T22:47:21-06:00

ID

123460

Comment

Agreed, Piker. And yes, I meant Gus. Didn't have time to check my notes. Constituent, the supermajority was required to change the rules so that council could debate the issues which failed to receive unanimous consent. I thought it was interesting that council essentially brushed aside the advice of Evans. They didn't even vote again on whether to allow discussion. They just did it. I do not think this would bear on whether CC launched an investigation. Sarah, if the investigation is contingent upon a decision made Friday, how can it be on the regular agenda? Of course, whether to investigate is on the agenda, but the immediate investigation proposed by Allen, is that on the agenda? Not sure how that would work. More questions remain. If Melton is indicted by Friday, is it then appropriate that the council will not have hearings? And as Cox has asked, how much of those hearings, should they occur, will take place behind closed doors? Allen's formulation seems so vague that virtually all of the hearings would be closed. He says he will rely on advice from county legal, but lawyers GENERALLY want EVERYTHING to be secret, which is one the things that drives the Public Eye nuts!

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2006-09-12T23:47:52-06:00

ID

123461

Comment

Pike wrote: LOL... You call damage control a plan charlotte.... ROTFLMAO!!!!! I most heartily concur. Allen, at least for me, comes out of this looking like a politician who was only hedging his bets. He waited until everyone else had thrown their hats into the ring, before agreeing to ask some questions.

Author

kate

Date

2006-09-13T08:02:10-06:00

ID

123462

Comment

"Yeah, we need to figure out if that part is legal, or required legally. They should keep as much as this as possible in the open. Thoughts, anyone?" Ladd Guess my suggestion would be for the press (you) or several citizens to have their own legal representation there and to demand that the 'powers that be' allow one (a pool attorney) to object or at least be heard when that attorney believes it is unnecessary to close the hearing. Go back to the Watergate hearings or the Iran-Contra hearings and they were open. Each witness had an attorney with advisors. The combined panels of senators and congressmen had advisors. It was all televised. There was no secracy and much that occurred was subject to further review by courts and to personnel who worked for the Federal Government. Just don't believe this will involve salaries, health issues, or other personnel matters that should not be discussed in public. Speaking of that, are the two police officers alledgedly involved in the Ridgeway Raid on suspension? When officers are accused of crimes or of abuse, I thought this was manditory.

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2006-09-13T08:59:44-06:00

ID

123463

Comment

lance stated, "Every day it becomes more evident that Melton has Stokes in his back pocket along with Tillman and Bluntson." lance you are on target and I hope the constituents of all three of these wards are looking at and taking notes on these three coucilmen. Stokes needs to be run not only out of his ward but this city. I always thought he was a buffoon now he's a bought off buffoon! You would have to be nuts to defend FM, or say that he has/is doing a good job. What planet are they on?

Author

maad

Date

2006-09-13T10:06:35-06:00

ID

123464

Comment

btw, Dr. McLemore owned that chamber when he spoke. I saw some news clips of him speaking on WAPT, and I am incredibly proud to be living in his ward right now. As Madea would say, "HALLELUYER!"

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-09-13T23:31:07-06:00

ID

123465

Comment

Brian, it can be on the regular agenda because what they will do is call a "Special Meeting" of the Council and it will be on the Special Meeting's agenda. Only 24 hours notice is required to place anything on an agenda for a Special Meeting (which is now scheduled for Friday at 4:30 p.m.). If on Friday they meet and vote to authorize the investigation, that's all they have to do to get it going.

Author

Sarah Bentley

Date

2006-09-14T10:40:52-06:00