Jackson Free Press

The eve of the two-year anniversary of Mayor Frank Melton's mayorship was emblematic of Melton's time in office. On July 3, the mayor sat in on a council sharply divided between independents and Melton loyalists and unleashed a round of apologies, threats, ramblings and fiery allegations at the Jackson Public School system.

Melton began the meeting with a personal apology to Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon seconds before the council tumbled inevitably into a 3-to-3 split on electing a new council president.

"On the part of the administration, we're going to do everything we can to avoid any splits (in the council). You all have brought up some issues that we're working to respond to you," Melton said. "There have been some mistakes made. Margaret, I've known you for 25 years, and I'm really upset about some of my behavior against you, and I'm publicly apologizing to you because I think we can get more done working together."

Minutes after promising to build cohesion, Melton threatened council members with an executive order to force the council to hold a quorum on a JPS Board nomination.

Melton has been pushing to replace JPS Board member Maggie Benson-White with Jackson State University Department of Education Dean Ivory Phillips, but the council has been unable to forge a quorum to hold the vote.

Councilmen Marshand Crisler and Leslie McLemore recused themselves from that vote, citing business ties with JPS. Barrett-Simon abandons the quorum on the grounds of an FBI probe into Melton's alleged attempt to influence the JPS Board's vote regarding the selection of a manager for $150 million in district renovation and repairs.

Council members told the JFP in April that the mayor's administration had threatened to recall the nomination of board member Jonathan Larkin if he did not approve Integrated Management Services for the $150 million contract. If true, the threat could constitute a racketeering-styled felony under the Hobbs Act, which could pose the third legal risk threatening to remove Melton from office since he became mayor two years ago.

"This has nothing to do with Mr. Phillips," Barrett-Simon said. "It has to do with the level of comfort I have about an investigation that is ongoing."

In return, Melton hurled acrimony at Barrett-Simon and Crisler as they exited the council and killed the quorum.

"This FBI investigation is nothing but a smokescreen," Melton said. "What I really resent is that a portion of that ($150 million school bond) money, ... is going to two people here in Jackson, one of whom is the brother of a Jackson councilman."

Crisler, whose brother Johnny Crisler won the $150 million JPS contract after a savage bid war with IMS, pointed out that recent FBI subpoenas of city information connected to JPS dealt with the mayor's alleged racketeering, not with his brother—a fact confirmed by several sources, even as Melton tries to deflect the investigation onto City Council.

Melton went on to argue that the school system is a mess and needs new management, claiming that two of his "adopted" kids had affairs with their teachers.

"When two of my own kids come to me and tell me that they've had affairs with their teachers, ... that tells me that we've got a problem. I don't want our kids to be susceptible to that," Melton said.

Melton confirmed last year that he has not legally adopted the young men who live with him in his home.

JPS Board President Delmer Stamps said Melton had not broached the issue of a teacher/student affair during his three-year seat on the board. "He's never brought that issue to me," Stamps said.

Board member H. Ann Jones said Melton should immediately contact the school's principal if he suspects his adoptive children have had relations with their teachers.

Melton also confirmed to the council, during the same meeting, that Charles Melvin is still running Parks and Recreation, despite the council's refusal to confirm him as a department head earlier this year.

McLemore said the city is violating state law if Melvin is still directing the department, regardless of whether or not it is from the desk of assistant director. "If he was not confirmed, he should not be directing parks and recreation. He should not be legally doing that," McLemore said.

Melton said he would take over Parks and Recreation himself, if he needed to, despite state laws limiting a mayor's direct role in city departments. "I've got a degree in health, physical education and ... I'm an expert swimmer and all that ... I'm fully qualified. My degree is upstairs."

Months ago, Melton said that Melvin was qualified to run the multi-million dollar parks department due to his "superior athletic ability."

The Melvin issue bled into a July 9 special council meeting, with City Attorney Sarah O'Reilly-Evans confirming that Melton was indeed breaking state law in giving Melvin the reins. The department offered no argument against the mayor running Parks and Recreation until Melton found a replacement, however, and Melton is in no hurry.

Melton told The Clarion-Ledger that he might take "four or five years" to find a replacement, even though he only has two years left in his tenure.