Jackson Free Press

The recent dust-up over the Jackson Public School Board is yet another reminder that Mayor Frank Melton remains focused on petty political maneuvering at the expense of a business-like approach to city government. Citizens would like him to get about the business of running the city and stop his game-playing, personal vendettas, and financial servicing of his friends and family. The era of Melton treating this job as if he'd been elected court jester instead of mayor has got to come to an end this year.

Mr. Melton, we humbly suggest you take advantage of this week after Christmas to start a list of resolutions that you can begin implementing here in the New Year. To get you started, here are a few suggestions:

1. Stay out of JPD's way. We are willing to give McMillin the honeymoon he deserves to see if he can pull off a "Sherr-ief" miracle. You should do likewise. Limit yourself to helping set goals for McMillin and holding him accountable.

2. Stay out of the DA's office. Yes, you let us know loud and clear that the new DA was one of yours when you stepped up to the podium at his victory party. Stay out of his business, though, and let him prove himself as a DA.

3. Talk revenues. We need to hear how you're going to plug the holes you've created in the budget. That includes not only how we get out of the current crisis, but also how we grow revenues and prospers. We were doing it before you got here. You screwed it up, so you need to fix it.

4. Pay for your bodyguards' defense. Don't put it off on the city. How much more must your antics cost the taxpayers of Jackson?

5. Wear suits. Whenever you get to feeling like you might want to put on anything else … like fatigues or badges or guns … don't.

6. Support economic development. That doesn't mean inviting your friends from Texas to re-bid deals that are already in the works. It means waking up on Jan. 1, 2008, and deciding that it's your job to make sure permits are approved, grants are applied for, streets are fixed, water is clean, trash is picked up—all that boring stuff you were elected to do.

7. Fix the Web site. Having a low-tech site is one problem; having a joke of a site is more serious. The City of Jackson is literally hampering recruitment efforts with a Web site whose latest news item is "City Launches New Web site."

8. Represent. It's time to prove that you have one goal in mind—putting Jackson first. Sell the city, not yourself. You're not a superhero. Encourage Dale Danks, Ed Peters and the rest of your cronies to buy a boat and sail for the Keys. Let's see some new blood and a renewed promise that we're going to truly give Jackson the smart government that it deserves.

Previous Comments

ID

75747

Comment

little frankie can't be happy with some of the presents that Santa brought him... If this one about his handpicked Fire chief doesn't get Kenny Stokes attention, I don't know what will. I mean, this would do any white guy in that I know!

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-27T07:49:31-06:00

ID

75748

Comment

Oooops! That's the one about Tyrone Lewis and his son holdin rap parties wothout insurance at the JPD training academy! Wrong present! This is the one about the Fire chief. Too many gifts under the tree for little frankie.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-27T07:54:45-06:00

ID

75749

Comment

That's a real doozy to! I wonder if the assistant Fire chief comedian will be able to keep his job? That's pretty cool about Tyrone, his son and the rap parties as well. In the photo it looks like JPD is providing security at the "event". I was in the club business for a long, long time, and I can tell you that I would have liked to have had: 1. No insurance 2. No personal liability 3. No rent 4. And a police and fire proof event. In other words, no one could shut them down. 5. No state taxes. No income taxes. No permit fees. And, where did the money go? We could be talking about tens of thousands of dollars. Maybe more.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-27T08:03:59-06:00

ID

75750

Comment

"The liability issue may be something we'll look at in the future," Lewis said. Lewis said he did not charge his son or any other group to use the academy and screened who used it. However, Lewis could not name any users besides his son who charged people admission or made money off their private functions. Terrell Lewis said he likes to use the academy because he can get off-duty officers to provide security. He also said the academy's gym is preferable because it is larger than clubs that have charged him $500 to $1,200 to rent their space. Uh, yeah...they charge him because it's a business. So, the city of Jackson is underwriting Terrell's business. At what benefit to the city? And, these clubs that have to charge to pay their bills...you know the ones...the ones that invest their money in rent, utilites, insurance, city, county, state and federal fees. And the building permit fees, code compliance, etc. What benefit to those clubs is Terrell's business. They went through the proper channels, and look at what it gets them.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-27T08:22:27-06:00

ID

75751

Comment

Here's that video everyone is talking about.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-27T11:31:32-06:00

ID

75752

Comment

Is Ken Daniels now with JPD?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-12-27T11:45:27-06:00

ID

75753

Comment

I like how the clarionledger uses the words "Grinds to a stop", Its sexist to make it seem like at the parties young black youths are grinding on each other while listening to rap, society already thinks blacks are oversexed, thats why we got all these babies!!! Yeap i know i brought race back into another topic but stop making it so easy for me. Bring it on everybody iam ready for battle.

Author

NewJackson

Date

2007-12-27T11:55:45-06:00

ID

75754

Comment

Now, you're baiting, NewJack. No need. I personally think this is just another Clarion-Ledger cliche, being that their editors are so fond of them.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-12-27T12:29:28-06:00

ID

75755

Comment

OK sorry for my observation Ms ladd

Author

NewJackson

Date

2007-12-27T12:42:42-06:00

ID

75756

Comment

Im gonna comment on two points and two points only. First Cliff, wha exactly is a "rap" party? Would that be a party where "rap" music is played? And is that to insinuate that its "black" kids or "thugs" at the party. You do understand that at 98% of the parties thrown in Jackson for folks between the ages of 8 and 40 that rap music is played right? that means the white kids at Prep are having "rap" parties as well. H.S. proms could be deemed "rap" parties and some office christmas parties could be deemed "rap" parties. Now NewJack does often go out on a tangent but here, the term "rap" party was taken by me as a means of inciting those who make the term "rap" synonymous with young black kids. And nepotism notwithstanding Im sure if one of THOSE kids dads had access to a building or hall that they could get for free to throw parties in I think they'd do it too. Since you're a businessman, as am I(and one that promotes parties from time to time), you know good and well if you can keep overhead low, you increase profit margin. Meaning even I have used a relationship with a club owner or owner of a building to get a cheaper(or free) place to throw a party. This is nothing new. ...Just wanted to know what ya meant by "rap" party? Now , the fact that it IS the police academy IS an issue, I agree. Hell, Ive been saying that since I heard it was being done. Trust, many younger(18-22) party promoters have been asking that same question but in this case you cant hate the player..thats the game.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-12-27T12:49:45-06:00

ID

75757

Comment

...And secondly, that video is DISGUSTING!! And Im not one who shocks easily when I hear or see things like this. Hell, this IS Mississippi right? Every single solitary joker that spoke on that video needs to be suspended, reprimanded, and docked. I wont call for firings yet. They do have to make a living and maybe some of them have changed lol. In fact the first few clips are more offensive than Chandler's vaudeville act. This cant slide.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-12-27T12:53:14-06:00

ID

75758

Comment

Agreed. It's horrendous. That bumper sticker alone was enough to make me nauseous.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-12-27T12:55:33-06:00

ID

75759

Comment

Agreed on the "rap" rhetoric; just not sure "grinds to a halt" applies. I don't think they're that clever.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-12-27T12:56:24-06:00

ID

75760

Comment

Bringing race into it is a deflection from the real issue: Why was the Training Center used to hold a private party without the proper insurance commitments or the permission of the mayor and council? Why was a tuition *fundraiser* for the son of a JPD officer held at the Training Center that his Daddy runs? Why was there no charge to use this facility? Where the officers who provided security paid OT from tax dollars at a time when JPD's budget is stretched thin? I don't give a damn how the C-L titled it, this is blatant nepotism and just another symptom of a corrupt city government run by Melton and his cronies that needs to be stopped.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-12-27T13:00:14-06:00

ID

75761

Comment

As for Chandler, that racist douchebag should never have been allowed to rise thru the ranks with others in JFD knowing a video like this was out there. It also says a lot about Melton and his loyalties that he stuck with this guy as interim chief for as long as he did.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-12-27T13:06:26-06:00

ID

75762

Comment

Now jeff..gotta say brother. The issue of the police academy being used IS the real issue here. However, it became a race issue for me as soon as Cliff deemed them "rap" parties. had he not done that we could have stayed on task. rest assured. So it was not us who brought it up. I will wait and give a chance to respond in kind... ..Now I KNOW you're not shocked at a display of nepotism are you? The same practice that has this city and state exactly where it is today? What about nepotism in the past 30 years of city government? Think this is the first case. And it was probably a lot worse than someone's son throwing party Im sure. Not condoning it. As I said, it was a recipe for disaster had a shooting or fight broke out as they sometimes do. But dont gimme that "nepotism" baloney cuz its Melton or someone on his police force..Ever heard of the Barnetts or the Speeds? anyone have any others?

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-12-27T13:09:46-06:00

ID

75763

Comment

So because others have done it we shouldn't call it out for what it is? If anything all cases should be brought into the light, not shuffled about because we like these folks but not *these* folks. No, I'm never shocked about corruption in gov't, I've been vocal about it in other administrations as well, and it's one of the reasons I'm cynical and jaded about all politicians. Such practices will continue to go on if people, especially taxpayers, just turn a blind eye and not speak out on it.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-12-27T13:15:24-06:00

ID

75764

Comment

Now, framing it like that Jeff, I agree 100%. Its the reason Im cynical about "politicians" as well.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-12-27T13:18:20-06:00

ID

75765

Comment

And I understand what you are saying also, Kaze, and I think the problem is the lazy media that we have around here that won't report other such cases as you alluded to for reasons that may very well have a racial component to it. THAT argument I can get down with.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-12-27T13:20:48-06:00

ID

75766

Comment

Kaze. Your're putting words in my mouth that aren't there. Call them what you want, race has nothing to do with it for me. If it's a party that plays rap, call it what you want. That's just what I called it.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-27T13:23:06-06:00

ID

75767

Comment

Rap was the predominate music in every club I was ever associated with. The clubs had a mixed crowd of both black and white patrons depending on what night of the week it was. There's no "rhetoric" on my part. It seems some on this site are looking for an insult to run out in front of when there's not one there.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-27T13:30:39-06:00

ID

75768

Comment

Well Cliff, if race wasnt an issue to begin with. And I actually dont think it was for you. Then sayinjg "party" or "event" would have been fodder enough to bring the issue to light. Sometimes folks know better than to use those "buzz" words" unless they are indeed trying to imply something. Im going to give ya the benefit of the doubt Cliff, but if Melton's asst chief were white and his son went to Millsaps and was throwing parites at the Police Academy I dont think you would have siad "rap" party. You would be concerned the same about the building's usage, but you wouldnt have used that term. Think about it.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-12-27T13:34:21-06:00

ID

75769

Comment

I am a little confused here. How did the video of the fireman come into the discussion? Anyone that thinks racism is dead just need look at that video and then think about what kind of atmosphere it would be for a black fireman to work there. All that video showed is how a lot of people act when they do not think anyone is aware. So just because people have gotten more aware and less likely to express certain things in public does not mean that those racist feelings are not inside. And if these guys were allowed to advance, it just demonstrates what is acceptable to a lot of us.

Author

Goldenae

Date

2007-12-27T13:37:04-06:00

ID

75770

Comment

I hadn't thought it out that far Kaze, nor will I.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-27T13:38:31-06:00

ID

75771

Comment

..."There's no "rhetoric" on my part. It seems some on this site are looking for an insult to run out in front of when there's not one there." ..and it seems there are some who wish to be able to use certain terms without the benefit of being asked their intentions either Cliff. and Im not getting on ya Cliff, you're a cool cat. What Im saying is..Its a sensitive issue that can easily overshadow your original point(Which was a valid one by the way)

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-12-27T13:39:01-06:00

ID

75772

Comment

Gold, I believe I was the one who brought the video up, and posted the link.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-27T13:43:45-06:00

ID

75773

Comment

Kaze, You asked me and I answered you. If you were in front of me, I'd look you straight in the eyes and tell you it's verbal semantics; nothing more.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-27T13:49:08-06:00

ID

75774

Comment

Cool, Cliff. Just remember, as I do, Semantics can take us down dark roads we dont want to travel. I believe ya.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-12-27T13:54:45-06:00

ID

75775

Comment

I couldn't read the small print on the Polo Party poster that was in the Ledge today. Could anybody else? Just askin' since I wonder how somebody told Melton what was written on it unless they saw an actual poster. And Cliff, I can see Kaze's point about the moniker 'rap party', especially since the poster plainly billed it as a *POLO PARTY*. If blues were the featured genre, would it be called a *Blues Party*? Or what about a *Hard Rock* or *Heavy Metal* or *Country and Western* party? As to the idiot Chandler and that repulsive video: I agree that Chandler should be fired. As Deputy Fire Chief, what happens if he had to deal with an actual allegation of discrimination by an African American fireman against a white colleague or worse, against Chandler himself? Talk about a slam dunk! Surely somebody in the City's legal department has heard of "hostile work environment" with respect to claims of discrimination under federal statutes. They. don't. play.

Author

Kacy

Date

2007-12-27T21:29:29-06:00

ID

75776

Comment

Melton's statement that he's seen the video and Chandler will not be disciplined is a callous and irresponsible comment from the city's chief executive officer whose responsibility is to make sure that the city workplace is free of discrimination. Following up on the last paragraph of my 9:29 p.m. post, can we all say 'punitive damages'?

Author

Kacy

Date

2007-12-27T21:40:42-06:00

ID

75777

Comment

Kacy, Melton is the same man who will run up in the face of people he thinks said something about him. Even if he was not personally offended by what Chandler did. We dont pay fireman to sit around and act out their Klansman fantasies. There is no way that a firehouse of men could go to the extend of videoing themselves in the most stupid of ways and those feelings not translate into some negative treatment of African American fireman. As for Melton, I have stop trying to understand him. My Dad once told me not to apply logic to illogical or reason to unreasonable people.

Author

Goldenae

Date

2007-12-27T21:50:04-06:00