Jackson Free Press

The Clarion-Ledger is reporting that candidate Jeff Weill took just over 50 percent of the vote to replace Ward 1 Councilman Ben Allen Tuesday night. Weill ran on a platform of fighting crime and not raising taxes—two issues that tend to resonate in the city's most affluent ward.

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Jeff Weill should be a good Councilman.

ChrisCavanaugh

Aug 14 2007

I don't think you could have gone wrong with either Ditto or Weill. I think you could call this an upset? For that reason, I am wondering where the political tea leaves will blow. I wish him the best of luck, and hope he can represent all of Ward One equally.

pikersam

Aug 14 2007

I'm just hoping having a former prosecutor on the council will balance things out.

Ironghost

Aug 14 2007

WOW I thought Ditto and Well had a run off, or split votes and one was in and someone else was runner up. WOW. No other words. Not for or against him. Just WOW broke all the ideas that people that are usually in the know have. I am not in the know but have some idea and I NEVER saw this as him winning outnright. Congratualtions PLEASE keep Melton in check! Signed From Ward 3

AGamm627

Aug 14 2007

Well, with four candidates, it was hard to know how it would shake up. I hope Weill does well, too, and stands up to Melton. He seems like such the unknown factor, but crime and taxes are catchphrases in Ward 1. (Look what crime did for Melton there.) But, frankly, Ben Allen talked a lot about those two things, too, and he stood up to Melton. Some. Let's just hope the Melton folks didn't send around that anonymous attack-video on Ditto.

DonnaLadd

Aug 14 2007

How do you mean, Iron?

DonnaLadd

Aug 14 2007

The video is one of the things Weill needs to address immediately when he is on Larry's show on Friday. He should denounce the video, denounce knowledge of it's producer(s), and denounce the idiot that made it. It was tacky, and had no relevance on the race. I know crime is an issue; but, there is very little the council person from Ward One can do in the way of fighting crime. He can't pick a Chief nor fire her. He can't tell the mayor who to hire. He can't magically make $3 million dollars appear to pay for more police or a raise if you still buy that mime. (last report - 400 officers left!) He can't build a new Precinct in North Jackson. Ben had already pushed through several crime fighting measures involving auto impoundments and collection of misdemeanor fines. He is only one vote, and we have to hope he doesn't let Melton run loose 'fighting crime' or we will be in deeper doo doo! So, he needs to come out and apologize to the Ditto's for one of his supporters putting out such a vile piece of garbage. If he is truly wants to be a consensus builder in Ward One, then he needs to reach out to Ditto and make sure that we don't create a wider gap in the already divided North Jackson community.

pikersam

Aug 15 2007

Iagree, that ward 1 race was no place for dirty politics and it is certainly not an attractive job (low pay, high stress). Jackson is burning - we need someone who will join forces and help put the fire out. I hope that video didn't come from anyone on Weill's campaign.

lanier77

Aug 15 2007

Agreed, Pike. If Mr. Weill was involved in any way with that video, it does not bode well for the city. We will assume he wasn't until shown otherwise. I'm more concerned that the Melton camp did it because it was so similar to scare-videos he's done in the past. If so, it concerns me that they might have wanted Weill there. Hopefully not.

DonnaLadd

Aug 15 2007

I'm sorry, what video? What was it about?

Jeff Lucas

Aug 15 2007