Jackson Free Press

The city of Jackson has been hit with more subpoenas this week, according to Special Assistant to City Attorney Pieter Teeuwissen.

"The FBI has asked me not to comment on specifics, but we have been issued new subpoenas this week that the city is working to respond to," Teeuwissen said, adding that the FBI is also interviewing city employees. "I can't say on the record who the FBI is speaking to, but they are talking with city employees."

The FBI has been peppering the city with subpoenas since May, reportedly concerning the illegal demolition of a home on Ridgeway Street and suspected unconstitutional violations regarding a wood recycling plant, the A-1 Pallet Company, among other things.

In other news, Chief Finance Officer Rick Hill said the city might be tapping into the city's $7 million reserve fund this year to cover almost $4 million in budget shortfalls.

"There's a possibility we might have to do that," Hill said. "I hate that, but there's a good chance we may have to. I can't say how much we might have to hit it. We're in the process of looking at that now."

Tapping the reserve fund will likely affect the city's credit rating, impacting the cost of city bond projects.

"This is something that I've regretfully anticipated," said Councilman Marshand Crisler, who admitted the fear of a reserve tap had haunted some of his recent votes on the council. Crisler voted against an ordinance change at last week's council meeting, which could potentially waive hundreds of thousands of dollars in construction fees for emerging downtown development. The ordinance was approved in a 5-1 vote.

Previous Comments

ID

129291

Comment

The comment by Hill is only the tip of the iceberg. I predict that the budget shortfalls are going to be the largest story to come out of this administration. (Yes, I think that the budget will be a larger story than if Melton gets indicted on Federal charges. The budget story, after all, is concrete fact that can be attributed to the whole administration, not just Melton. The story isn't about whether anyone likes Melton or has a personal vendetta against him or not, but about how he has run his administration and micromanged his staff.) I can't wait to see how the Melton crew will spin this one...

Author

katbird

Date

2007-08-03T12:28:41-06:00

ID

129292

Comment

I wonder how many traffic tickets the JPD would have to write to make up for this shortfall.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-08-03T12:42:34-06:00

ID

129293

Comment

Sometimes you hate it when your right. :-( Suck It Meltonites!

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-08-03T15:06:37-06:00

ID

129294

Comment

This does remind me a conspiracy theory that went around when Melton was running for mayor: He is being put there to break the city. I thought it was hogwash, but one does have to wonder now. Regardless, they have spent the city in to a disaster without any kind of accountability or planning. I'm sick about it, but we really did try to warn people about the level of incompetency they were electing. I do hope people voter smart on Tuesday and do not allow Melton to install more puppets.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-08-03T17:44:10-06:00

ID

129295

Comment

Oh, and if the FBI really is dropping supoenas about Ridgeway Street, then that makes the sheriff and the district attorney look pretty damn smart and prescient. And in federal court, and for constitutional violations (and whatever else it could mean), it will be a different ballgame. I have long said: It ain't over 'til it's over.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-08-03T17:45:30-06:00

ID

129296

Comment

Mayor Melton this is an FBI Warning! This one is for you Brian. Enjoy! We miss you.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-08-03T21:41:22-06:00

ID

129297

Comment

Pike, step away from the YouTube. LOL

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-08-03T21:47:48-06:00

ID

129298

Comment

I've heard Donna's Theory as well. I'd love the chance to ask a couple of them if it's true.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-08-03T23:07:04-06:00

ID

129299

Comment

If we are talking theories then here's one. Frank Melton is really undercover for the FBI and was put in place to rid the city of the real corruption and crime. It would help explain why no criminal charges are civil judgements against him ever stick. Real cute commit another poster made by telling people to suck it. I guess you can get away with things like that. Too bad everyone that post here can't. Maybe the Meltonites can tell you the same if Frank actually isn't senile and there is some kind of master plan in place to make Jackson a better place.

Author

LakesideRes

Date

2007-08-03T23:17:57-06:00

ID

129300

Comment

Ah... to educate the newbies... Suck It Libs! Suck it, libs - Appears in most political articles, regardless of content. Now, I find it more clever to make this a local satirical term. By Meltonites, I am defining the small circle of friends he has working around him, and those who support him lock-step despite his utter short comings. If you are a member of either half, then I feel for you. ;-) BTW: You can tell me to suck it anytime. I work hard to try and put supporting links with facts or further information in my posts. Also, I've had posts deleted, been told to chill out by ladd, posted in haste without all the facts thus looking foolish, and gotten into some heated arguments. I've even apologized to other posters - more than once! However, I try hard to not insult the poster only the post. Ask, Ray, kate, emilyb, golden eagle, LW, IG, LadyH, etc... I also support anonymity on the internet. Less we forget, these intertubes ain't that old. I don't know? It worked for this guy. Just in case you need someone closer to home there's this guy too! I also know I couldn't hold these two guys quill pens before anyone launches into me. 8-p

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-08-04T01:20:07-06:00

ID

129301

Comment

I'm a bit unclear what you're talking about, Iron, but there is no Donna Theory to share, although I've attempted to share as many facts as I possibly can. Please stick to Ironghost's Theory and don't speak for me.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-08-04T07:54:45-06:00

ID

129302

Comment

Wow, my own theory. :) Sorry for the misattribution, then.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-08-04T10:18:38-06:00

ID

129303

Comment

I'm with Donna on this one, I hope people will go out and vote in massive numbers and that we do not allow Melton's hand picked cronies to get into office. We do not need Melton's insight in the Sheriff's Department or the DA's office. Also, isn't it funny that all of Melton's lies end up coming back to kick him in the butt...remember a few weeks ago when he was saying the FBI was snooping around because of Marshand's vote or his brother's involvement with the Jackson Public School's Bond Project.....remember that crazy interview on channel 12..just like the crazy one channel 12 did with McMillin about his commerical...WHEW...I think Channel 12 should drop the slogan that they get straight to the point.....

Author

blkokc

Date

2007-08-05T17:27:03-06:00

ID

129304

Comment

Just curious, Donna, what is conspiracy theory you're talking about? (Melton Breaking the City.) I think that might have been before my time back in Jackson.

Author

Puck

Date

2007-08-06T08:04:27-06:00

ID

129305

Comment

I continue to ask: WHO IS THIS STRANGER AMONG US? To figure out this puzzle, one would have to go back to the germ of melton's presence in Jackson. What was the orgin of his millionair status that set the stage for the purchase of Channel 3. Who were the funding agents? He claimed to have been a broke Social Worker from Tyler, Texas with a pregnant wife who had just finished medical school. I hope that the FBI is able to bring a halt to this melton madness so that Our City can begin a healing process. We have been led down a dark alley and the hit man is about to envoke "the most unkindess cut of all." H E L P?????????????

Author

justjess

Date

2007-08-06T09:56:24-06:00

ID

129306

Comment

The obvious answer is "He's lying about his past". He was a board member of Buford Television of Tyler, TX. There's an excellent article here which details Frankie's ascent to power and the history of WLBT. How he got on that board would take more research, definetly.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-08-06T10:54:54-06:00

ID

129307

Comment

The Ledger reported this today. Four days behind isn't shabby for them. I thought this passage was intriguingly subjective, though, for a paper that claims to be "objective": The Wood Street Lawn Service has come under scrutiny several times, most recently in April when some City Council members questioned why the city was using the group of young men to cut lawns, cemeteries and rights of way. The council questioned payments made to the lawn service. Jackson Mayor Frank Melton, who had helped the young men organize as a way to earn a living and stay out of trouble, has said he paid them out of his pocket until they could earn city contracts.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-08-07T06:30:09-06:00

ID

129308

Comment

Someone just pointed out in e-mail that the Ledger also does not mention the arrests of Brunson/Butler and Taylor, or certainly their alleged role in the Ridgeway demolition.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-08-07T07:35:02-06:00

ID

129309

Comment

Yes, they do leave out a lot don't they. It's like the Ledge goes out of its way to make sure the story just skims the surface of the real story. Almost a puff piece. But, what isn't in the Clarion Ledger. Again, when your sports reporters can do a more in depth story on the ankle of a running back for MS St. with multiple sources and quotes than the Metro section does for our local news - news that matters - you have a big problem!

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-08-07T08:07:58-06:00

ID

129310

Comment

So true, Pike. I've long observed that the Ledge's sports reports do much more in-depth reporting than their news reporters. Go figure.

Author

Kacy

Date

2007-08-07T13:08:49-06:00

ID

129311

Comment

It does seem that since the news brok about the FBI subpoenas, Melton has been virtually silent and invisible. I hope I'm not speaking too soon ;-).

Author

Kacy

Date

2007-08-07T13:39:25-06:00

ID

129312

Comment

My sources are telling me that Frank is quitely writing and editing his long-awaited Crime Plan. Shirlene and that other lady apparently were moving too slow in writing up their "bunch of junk" for his taste. His crime plan is finally ready for publication and disclosure. They furthermore report that Frank isn't scared of no FBI folks since his power, influence and control extend into federal and international territories as well. As strange as it may sound, I was told his crime plan is timed to coincide with his taking over the Sheriff's, District attorney's and Governor's office simultaneously. Yeah, I know you say, wtf because you didn't know he wanted the governor's office too; but this is how big and powerful folks gain more power.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-08-07T14:39:45-06:00

ID

129313

Comment

Ray, are you hinting at world domination? LOL

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-08-07T14:43:45-06:00