Jackson Free Press

After a firestorm ripped through Jackson last week after the Jackson Free Press reported that Parks and Recreation Director Ramie Ford might be leaving city government, Mayor Frank Melton said at a press conference Tuesday that he is creating a new city department that Ford will lead.

"Mr. Ford is being promoted. He is not being terminated. … Ramie has done a tremendous job in the city in the area of parks … but we're taking this to a different level right now," Melton said. "One of my biggest priorities is getting this city clean and keeping this city clean. Mr. Ford will direct that effort effective starting today."

Melton said Ford will report directly to him.

Ford said that he had an inkling that such a change was in the works, but he admitted that many of the details had only been settled Tuesday morning. He said he anticipated a modest pay raise over his current pay of more than $76,000 a year. Ford said he will also serve as a consultant to Charles Melvin, a former MBN agent and Vicksburg police officer who currently directs youth hires for the city. Melton tapped Melvin, who has no parks-related experience, to take over Parks and Rec, which has a $6.6 million annual budget.

Melton said he stood behind Melvin's promotion, even though by Melton's own admission, Melvin has no training in administration management and holds only a BA in education.

"(Melvin) is a superior athlete and has a very unique approach with our youth. He has a lot of energy, he participates in the athletic programs here, he's coached a number of … teams here," Melton said, explaining that Melvin has the same experience that qualified Melton to run a department.

The new department, called the Neighborhood Enhancement Department, will merge Public Works with Parks and Recreation to focus on city beautification, especially litter removal, pothole repair and park maintenance. Ford said he has dealt with many of those issues as parks and recreation director.

"I was a coach, and I played, and I ran some successful television stations. Some skills are transferrable," Melton said. "Why don't you wait six months to see what kind of job he does? There's things on this earth called fairness."

City Council President Ben Allen has vowed to oppose Melvin's appointment, citing his lack of qualifications.

Melvin refused to answer questions.

Melvin and Melton told Jackson Free Press editor Donna Ladd last April that all youth hires for the city, including those hired by temporary agencies, were required to be drug-tested. That turned out not to be the case.

Watch for updates here and in this week's print edition.

Previous Comments

ID

125241

Comment

Looks like Melton has Ramey Ford on a Whitlow career path with the City. Anyone remember how Whitlow went to work under the Mayor after the election, then word was he was over at PEG. Next thing you knew he's on WJTV doing sports again! Just Melton's way of slowly bleeding you. BTW: He's hired some guy from WJTV to be the Assistant to city spokesperson Lewis. Guess this is Melton's campaign contribution to Lewis, so he can make more time to go out and slander... I mean, campaign against McMillian.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-02-06T14:28:54-06:00

ID

125242

Comment

That "some guy" is Eric King, and he has already become a prominent part of Melton's entourage.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2007-02-06T14:38:21-06:00

ID

125243

Comment

“(Melvin) is a superior athlete and has a very unique approach with our youth. He has a lot of energy, he participates in the athletic programs here, he’s coached a number of … teams here...” Oh, well...this certainly proves he's the man for the job. Silly f***in' us... Thread closed.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-02-06T14:55:30-06:00

ID

125244

Comment

you hire a guy to run a multimillion department who has no qualifications but playing sports. OK, WHO are the contracts going to start going to? this sounds like a way to pay off or reward people.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-02-06T15:16:39-06:00

ID

125245

Comment

Melvin would not comment today on being named interim director. The council would have to confirm him as permanent director. Last week, Melvin said he is qualified for the job because he has experience coaching little league football for the Mississippi Youth Sports Association and has played amateur adult softball for teams in Alabama and Florida. “It’s a good position, and I’m a recreational person anyway,” Melvin said... "Recreational" person? Melton said he believes Melvin will be able to run a department with a roughly $6.6 million budget despite that fact that Melvin has never run an entire department. “Wait six months and see what kind of job he does,” Melton said. Just like we waited all this time for you Frankie? Nope. You ca't make this sh!t up.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-02-06T18:29:42-06:00