Jackson Free Press

This story will appear in this week's print edition of the Jackson Free Press.

The Jackson City Council refused to confirm Charles Melvin as Parks and Recreation director Monday, saying that he could not answer the most basic questions about his department.

However, Mayor Frank Melton told the council that he had no intention of picking another nominee to replace Melvin, and he lashed out at some council members at a Tuesday press conference.

"I'm spending much of my time in the Farish and Cohea Street area," Melton said. "It seems to me that it would be more appropriate for the City Council members in that ward to show more of an interest in what's happening, but that interest has not been shown in the last 15 years. … Right now, as I analyze the situation, we have three City Council members there—Mr. Stokes, Bluntson and Tillman—who are doing everything they can to improve the lives of everybody in the city, and then we have four other council members who are doing everything they can to distract the progress of this city moving forward," Melton said, dividing his assessment between council members who supported Melvin's appointment versus those who had not.

"I may have to actually manage by veto to get the things done that we have to have done," Melton said.

The mayor also discussed his effort to clean up the Farish Street area. He said that code enforcement officers are "99 percent finished" ticketing dilapidated properties in the neighborhood. "It appears to me that we're going to have to take down over half the neighborhood," he said.

The council rejected Melvin on a 3-3 vote, with Ward 2 Councilman Leslie McLemore not present. Council members against Melvin were Margaret Barrett-Simon, Marshand Crisler and Council President Ben Allen, with Kenneth Stokes, Frank Bluntson and Charles Tillman voting to approve.

The even vote means that Melvin, who has served as interim director for months at an annual salary of almost $84,000 a year, cannot serve as director. However, Melton told the council that he would not choose another director, apparently defying the council's vote.

"I'm not going to speculate on whether or not he's serious, and I'm not about to speculate on our reaction if he is," Allen said. "This isn't the first time. I don't think he intends to bring a fire department head forward, either."

Melvin did poorly in interviews, according to Allen.

"He failed interviews miserably," Allen said. "Frankly, I felt sorry for him. He couldn't answer direct questions about Mynelle Gardens, about the future of the contract with the Mississippi Baseball Group. He couldn't answer direct questions about activities being planned that are concrete for the summer months. It was just pretty dismal."

Melton sat quietly for the brunt of the confirmation, but began griping minutes after "hands went up," Crisler said.

Melvin's nomination was controversial from the beginning, partly because his predecessor, Ramie Ford, was widely hailed as a success. He also had extensive professional experience. In February, Melton responded to word that Ford was being forced out by transferring him to a proposed new department, a transfer Ford said he accepted at the time. On March 19, however, Ford accepted a position as director of state parks under the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

Ford's transfer back in February prompted Allen to withdraw his support for the administration, which gave the opposition bloc a majority of four council members. Allen said Melton had assured him back in January that he would not transfer Ford, only to learn the following week that Melton's assurance had been insincere.

"There were some gross, grave misrepresentations made to me … I don't put much faith in what (the mayor) tells me, to be frank," Allen said then.

Barrett-Simon, Allen and Crisler maintain that they did not cast their vote based on their differences with the mayor, however.

"Melvin just isn't qualified," Barrett-Simon said. "He doesn't have any experience in running a million-dollar city department."

Melton had previously defended Melvin's nomination to head the department, saying he was qualified due to his "superior athletic ability." Melvin, who worked with Melton at the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, followed Melton from his brief stint as MBN head into the city's Youth Services Division. He later became the mayor's office coordinator, and spent time as a youth coach.

That wasn't enough for the job, Crisler said. "Melvin, your background and my background almost mirror each other, and I will tell you today that I'm no more ready to take over Parks and Recreation than you are," he said.

Melvin was one of two confirmation votes Monday. The council confirmed attorney Ali ShamsidDeen as a new Municipal Court judge with a 6-0 vote.

Allen advised the mayor against "managing by veto."

"Frank is frustrated because we don't do everything he wants us to," Allen said. "What if everybody in Congress was quiet about Iraq? That's just part of the process. He comes from the private sector and it's sometimes difficult to adjust. There's no conspiracy—just three people who didn't support his pick."

Previous Comments

ID

128584

Comment

I am going to head downtown and listen to what our officials have to say today...

Author

bobnoxious

Date

2007-05-08T09:09:10-06:00

ID

128585

Comment

I bet you cash money that Melvin did not even know that Mynelle Gardens was his responsibility as Director. Competent officials usually make every effort to surround themselves with competent, qualified staff persons. Unqualified, unskilled people only make you look bad. Oh I forgot, this is Uncle Frank's town - anything goes.

Author

lanier77

Date

2007-05-08T09:55:25-06:00

ID

128586

Comment

You are probably right. By the way, Newsflash: CL DID have this in the paper this morning. So the JFP was scooped. Does that mean while our esteemed leader was in NYC partying at columbia the mice were playing? all kidding aside, pretty sad. I think the council is going to have to retain its own lawyer and force these people to step down from their positions and rein the mayor in. There is no way anyone can seriously entertain the idea of Melvin being the director. IF Hood had any backbone, and he doesn't. he would be finding a way to intervene and force Melton to conform to state law. However, as I dont' think he has much backbone and frankly is not that bright of an AG, I don't see such happening. Which means that Allen et al will have to dig into their pockets if they want to see the law followed. Just one more example about the need to rein Melton in. Notice how he impugns the integrity of Ben Allen. You can't just disagree with Melton. If you disagree with him, you are crooked, shady, questionable, corrupt, and any other malicious term that immediately pops into his head. Sounds like another famous politician that Republicans hate so much but when it is someone they like, its ok.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T10:04:17-06:00

ID

128587

Comment

No, 'Fish, but it does mean that my staff was too busy working on another story yesterday to remember to post this yesterday. They have been scolded a bit about it. ;-) For the record, "scooping" a public meeting is not much of a scoop; "scooping" involves "enterprise" reporting, which means digging for information others don't have, or having the credibility to get sources to tell you stuff other media doesn't. Enterprise is our specialty here. But the Ledger needs whatever it can get on the "scoop" front, considering how often they miss what's right in front of their faces. ;-) As for Melvin's clear lack of qualifications for this job—I've said it before. Melton is not doing these young men a service by throwing them into jobs without preparing them for it. It's the same in the newspaper business—you can put someone into a position with a title, but if you don't train them to do the job, and give them what they need to do it (including information and hands-on training), they will fail, and very likely hurt their own careers. Melton doesn't seem to understand that. He seems to think he can stock any job in site with one of his young friends and "help" them. Meantime, he may end up hurting many of their reputations and careers because he doesn't himself understand what the jobs entail. He is such a bad "leader" on every front.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T10:08:20-06:00

ID

128588

Comment

Melton is such a WHINER! He's worse than a five-year-old child. He has the attitude of, "Well, I don't care what you think: he's gonna do it anyway. Neener, neener, neener. (pbbbt)" The council should slap him down.

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2007-05-08T10:12:15-06:00

ID

128589

Comment

Donna: appointing people so grossly unqualified is also a great way to ensure no one can keep tabs on what you are doing or recognize corruption when it happens.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T10:18:11-06:00

ID

128590

Comment

This is true, 'Fish. Gannett prides itself on "diversity hiring." What it should pride itself on is hiring, training and motivating great enterprise editors and reporters, including many of color. But that doesn't seem to be the priority over there. Reporting what people want to hear (as I heard two different CL editors put it about their Melton coverage) seems to be more the priority. And retaining people willing to do that, of course. The same paradigm goes for city government. Charles Melvin might, some day, be ready for this job—after he's actually trained to do it. I mean, it doesn't even sound like he knows the questions to ask.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T10:22:09-06:00

ID

128591

Comment

by the way, I noticed the outdoors section was gone from the paper Sunday. Unless I missed something, something else gone from the ledge.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T10:24:52-06:00

ID

128592

Comment

I suspect Melvin knows nothing about bid laws, proper procedures, etc. Welcome to patronage, Jackson style. I told you it was a dumber version of Huey. If Melton tells Melvin to just award a contract to so and so contractor, Melvin won't know enough to even have a clue if he is breaking the law or not. Eventually, some o fthese people are going to break the law without even knowing it and then they will have real problems.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T10:31:08-06:00

ID

128593

Comment

Someone said they all jumped on the Trolley to go to a super double secret meeting that no one could know about because of Homeland Security? Why take a trolley then? Kinda obvious! Does Bennie know about this meeting? ;-)

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-05-08T11:20:42-06:00

ID

128594

Comment

what are you talking about?

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T11:30:02-06:00

ID

128595

Comment

What progress has happened on Farish in the last 22 months? Melton said he was going to work with the city council and then he said he is going to manage by veto. He has said he does not play politics, and then praises the 3 councilpersons who always agree with him, while demonizing the 4 (since February) that don't. He is the distraction and the fact that he didn't even allow for questions points further that he doesn't give a sh*t about what anybody thinks. Hopefully something happens over the course of the next 6 months to demystify Frank's supporters, or we may have to deal with the trifecta of the mayor's, sherrif's, and DA's office all filled with him or his minions...

Author

bobnoxious

Date

2007-05-08T11:51:56-06:00

ID

128596

Comment

Also, it seems like the council spends an awful lot of time in executive session these days...

Author

bobnoxious

Date

2007-05-08T11:52:46-06:00

ID

128597

Comment

Yes, please elaborate, Pike. More details, please....

Author

Birdseye

Date

2007-05-08T12:12:34-06:00

ID

128598

Comment

A friend called and asked if I watched WLBT at lunch and saw what I described above. Maybe they were biatsh!t crazy? ;-) I'm waiting to see if WLBT posts the video.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-05-08T12:39:59-06:00

ID

128599

Comment

melton really did Melvin a diservice to have him in an interview that he was not prepared for. Seemingly melton or someone of his flunkies, Tillman, Stokes or Bluntson would have given him some background on some of the simple questions asked. melton probably doesn't know anything about this position. he thinks that everything simply shoots from the hip. This is the way that he runs/ruins our City government. How much more of this can this City tolerate?

Author

justjess

Date

2007-05-08T13:04:37-06:00

ID

128600

Comment

Look at the Ledger update on this: May 8, 2007 ADVERTISEMENT Split between mayor, some council members growing By Kathleen Baydala [email][email protected][/email] The divide between Jackson Mayor Frank Melton and his political opponents on the City Council is growing deeper. During a news conference this morning, the mayor took aim at four council members who have opposed his tactics and some of his picks for department heads. He said he would start using his veto power to “get things done.” Melton said councilmen Kenneth Stokes, Frank Bluntson and Charles Tillman are active in their communities and work to improve the city. “Then, we have four other City Council members that are doing everything they can to distract the progress of this city moving forward,” said Melton, referring to Ben Allen, Marshand Crisler, Margaret Barrett-Simon and Leslie B. McLemore. “So, I may have to do some management by veto over the next several months.” So, note the "political opponents" I bolded in the first sentence there. Due to imprecise language, the Ledger is handing Melton the ability to say this is all about politics. Meantime, one of those "political opponents" supported Melton politically until recently. Allen obviously did not start voting against Melton for "political" reasons. One wonders if Ms. Baydala understands the meaning of the word "political." Or, if her editors give a damn whether she does or not—the bigger question, of course. Sigh.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T13:09:23-06:00

ID

128601

Comment

I like the way she personalizes a policy dispute. I guess in her mind, if two people have a disagreement, its because they don't like each other or something along those lines, not because they may have different philosophies and ways of doing things on a particular issue. I would've written something along the lines of "the differences between Mayor Melton and some members of the City Council sharpened..." INMHO, writing it as she did trivialized their policy disagreements with Melton and slanted the story. If Allen was a political opponent, then why was he supporting him on Farish street last week and saying he was not opposed to altering JRDA?

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T13:19:18-06:00

ID

128602

Comment

Well, it's not just Baydala, 'Fish. She has just picked up bad habits of the lazy mainstream—the whole her-vs-him paradigm. Read Deborah Tannen's book, "The Argument Culture." The linguistics expert has a whole chapter devoted to how the media subvert the idea of "balance" and "objectivity" into two "sides," even when it doesn't make sense. It's what bad journalism does best—create two-sided monsters. And it's a primary reason that so many people are rejecting the daily corporate media across the country. We just happen to have a really bad case of here in these parts.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T13:24:17-06:00

ID

128603

Comment

what was your opinion on that WSJ piece? Am very interested in hearing it. by the way, I have a book here would like by Robert Chesney on the corporate control of media.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T13:28:51-06:00

ID

128604

Comment

Also, your last sentence is right on. Saying that Allen is a "political opponents" (which she states as fact in her lede) is not only factually inaccurate—it is extremely biased toward Melton, as that gives him (and Danks) more credit when they try to say that criticism of them is only "politics" or a "political witchhunt." The truth, of course, is that he is such a bad mayor, with such an incompetent administration, that it doesn't matter what your politics are.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T13:28:56-06:00

ID

128605

Comment

She really blew this one. Ms. Baydala could have continued "copying off of your paper " (LOL) and wrote: City Council Rejects Melvin, Mayor Throws a Dam# Fit

Author

justjess

Date

2007-05-08T13:29:01-06:00

ID

128606

Comment

And, yes, we have a lot of books by McChesney. Todd was reading one on the trip this weekend, in fact. I know him (kind of; mostly through other people. We were columnists for the same magazine in NY for a while). He's great. No friend of Gannett, that's for sure. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T13:30:07-06:00

ID

128607

Comment

Nope. I interviewed hiim years ago for that Planet Weekly story on Radio Consolidation. A little dry but definitely knew his stuff. Another reason that I didn't like Bush. Powell was all for media consolidation as fast as possible. One thing McCain opposed, which is unknown to most people. McCain should hit that angle a little bit. It would swing some liberal reporters to his side in their coverage as they have a personal stake in it and most of them hate it.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T13:33:38-06:00

ID

128608

Comment

This is the Ledger's blurb on the front page right now: The divide between Jackson Mayor Frank Melton and his political opponents on the City Council is growing deeper. Don't divides grow *wider*—not "deeper." Words thrown at the screen, I tell you. Not sure what WSJ piece you mean, 'Fish.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T14:41:48-06:00

ID

128609

Comment

Obviously you guys use a different model. http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110010038

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T14:44:37-06:00

ID

128610

Comment

“There were some gross, grave misrepresentations made to me … I don’t put much faith in what (the mayor) tells me, to be frank,” Allen Kind of ironic. He uses frank to describe his view towards FRANK. I don't know how the hell we are going to turn this city around. I'm happy that FAYE showed up at the SafeCity thing the other day, because Frank and Danks would have tried to use that against her.

Author

optimisticaboutNewJackCity

Date

2007-05-08T14:45:27-06:00

ID

128611

Comment

zap that one. free websites run newspapers

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T14:45:57-06:00

ID

128612

Comment

Melton had previously defended Melvin’s nomination to head the department, saying he was qualified due to his “superior athletic ability.” Just because Michael Jordan could "fly" doesn't mean he's qualified to be a pilot or rocket scientist.

Author

golden eagle '97

Date

2007-05-08T15:27:02-06:00

ID

128613

Comment

I believe I can fly..........

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T15:30:36-06:00

ID

128614

Comment

I think if a divide becomes "deeper" it also grows "wider" from a geological standpoint. I've noticed the term "deeping divide" often used throughout the mainstream media...Time, Newsweek, LA Times, etc. when describing political competitors or partisanship. But granted, Ms. Baydala has never struck me as a someone who chooses her words carefully.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-05-08T15:48:03-06:00

ID

128615

Comment

WAPT just pointed out that Melton would be vetoing his own stuff—because he's the one who puts nominees before City Council.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T17:13:48-06:00

ID

128616

Comment

How much more of this can this City tolerate? None.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-05-08T17:17:39-06:00

ID

128617

Comment

Jeff, often young journalists do not choose their words carefully. That's why a very active editor-reporter relationship is vital to challenge those kinds of constructions, not to mention problems with facts, logic, holes, passives, clichés, etc. People we know at the Ledger tell us there is no editorial guidance to speak of there. That's rather obvious from reading the paper, of course. I feel sorry for young journalists with bad editors. They may think they're getting off easier (which they are, for the moment), but their careers will be limited by the low-quality work that makes it into print. A writer/journalist is no better than your last published story. Every aspiring journalist should keep changing jobs until they can find the toughest editor they can (who knows what he/she is doing, of course, and isn't just a jerk. Not the same thing.). Of course, tough editors look for journalists with the drive to look for them, and then work their a$$es off, so it's a two-way street. (Sorry for the cliché.) I am so thankful for my toughest editors over the years (which includes Todd).

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T17:20:19-06:00

ID

128618

Comment

WAPT just pointed out that Melton would be vetoing his own stuff—because he's the one who puts nominees before City Council. Here it is. Melton is such a WHINER! He's worse than a five-year-old child. He has the attitude of, "Well, I don't care what you think: he's gonna do it anyway. Neener, neener, neener. (pbbbt)" Reminds me of someone else I've seen on the news.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-05-08T17:33:29-06:00

ID

128619

Comment

I may have to do some management by veto over the next several months. I may have to actually manage by veto to get the things done that we have to have done," Melton said. Maybe Melton is going to start vetoing himself. I mean, somebody needs to.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T17:49:48-06:00

ID

128620

Comment

He does sound whiny, doesn't he?

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-05-08T18:21:15-06:00

ID

128621

Comment

And now the idiot wants to move the Mayor's office from City Hall to the Farish Street YMCA. He has bodyguards with guns. He's been known to pack. They have kids down there. They have a day care on site. This is the absolute STUPIDEST move the man has ever made. If my kids were down there, I would be pulling them out of that YMCA ASAP. That is just totally unsafe. (seethe)

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2007-05-09T08:01:31-06:00

ID

128622

Comment

Lady H, I'm surprised that the YMCA Board would allow this. Obviously, they are willing to put their by-laws and rules aside to allow this. I'm sure it's no coincidence that swim season is beginning! You'd think that YMCA would know better then to allow Melton around their pool after the big lawsuit, in which Melton settled, where due to his lack of oversight the pool was murky and had too many children in the pool area thus they didn't even know the boy had drowned at first. It's pretty obvious that those who run the IS Sanders YMCA are more interested in Melton's money then they are the well being of their facility. Has anyone sent a tape to the headquarters of the YMCA where it show Melton stealing water for this YMCA? I'm sure if most Y's asked, cities would provide discounted or free water - no need to steal. What an example he must set for those children!

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-05-09T08:28:42-06:00

ID

128623

Comment

charles melvin works at my club on the weekends as a security gaurd & is a really nice guy, What would be the qualifications to run park & recreations? its not rocket science!! you set up some activities and find people to run tem and let it go!! I never thought id agree with kenneth stokes but he made a good point whe he said "the mayor had never ran a city till he was elected".....melvin is getting valuable on job training now. who do any of you know that could do the job? I mean how many people do you know that have been parks & recreation directors? honestly?

Author

clay e.

Date

2007-05-09T08:29:42-06:00

ID

128624

Comment

It still has to be approved by the Y and DHS. I would hope that DHS would not allow this. But I can't be sure how they will react. I'm worried they just won't care. Is he still restricted from being around kids due to the first court ruling?

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2007-05-09T08:30:56-06:00

ID

128625

Comment

Also i dont know if you all are aware but charles melvin is a certified jackson police officer, he's not just some chump that melton is helping keep out oftrouble like the little thugs he takes into his home.

Author

clay e.

Date

2007-05-09T08:31:57-06:00

ID

128626

Comment

I apologize for my mis-spelling, my battery is low in my wirless keyboard & I didnt proof read my last comments

Author

clay e.

Date

2007-05-09T08:33:48-06:00

ID

128627

Comment

Clay, Im sorry for not knowing but which club do you own?

Author

colby

Date

2007-05-09T08:38:34-06:00

ID

128628

Comment

Sorry, I havent mentioned that yet...."gators" (formely 105 capitol)

Author

clay e.

Date

2007-05-09T08:56:53-06:00

ID

128629

Comment

Well Clay I don't think working as a security guard on weekends really "helps" Melvin's resume for Parks and Rec. Also, why is wasting time working on the weekend at some club when he should be working on Parks and Rec? What is $80,000+ not enough money? Must be the gas prices! Second of all, Parks and Rec is not some chump job that anyone can do. Especially someone with little to no experience in that area. You ask who do you know who could do the job? Actually, I am qualified to do the job. In fact, I am probably one of the more qualified candidates that resides in Jackson right now without getting into details. And, it's not because of my superior athletic ability. The iTodd can attest to that! However, I wouldn't ever work for the Melton administration, and I am happy where I am now. Yet, even knowing I am qualified to do the job, I would still want several months under someone like Ramey Ford to teach me the in's and out's of the City and how you work the system. I certainly wouldn't come in as some cock-sure punk like Melvin has done. To say crap about his athletic ability and then to say "even if I brought Jesus today, I wouldn't have gotten confirmed" is stupid and childish! What do you expect from a Melton "yes man!"

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-05-09T09:02:22-06:00

ID

128630

Comment

charles melvin works at my club on the weekends as a security gaurd & is a really nice guy, What would be the qualifications to run park & recreations? its not rocket science!! you set up some activities and find people to run tem and let it go!! Are you serious? This is a professional position overseeing a budget in the millions. Jackson has over 2,300 acres of parks that need to be staffed and managed; cleaned up, maintained, paid for, scheduled, etc. You make it sound like "activities coordinator" at a local day care center. I'm not saying Melvin isn't a nice guy and, quite frankly, he may be very well-suited to doing other work within the city. But if he isn't qualified to handle a huge budget and resources that many, many Jackson residents use and appreciate, then handing him the job because he's a buddy from MBN is irresponsible.

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2007-05-09T09:02:47-06:00

ID

128631

Comment

Interesting...Monster posts a similar position in Lexington, KY: DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION Company: Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Location: Lexington, KY 40504 Salary/Wage: 59,612.00 - 99,361.00 USD /year Status: Full Time, Employee Job Category: Operations Management Relevant Work Experience: 7+ to 10 Years Career Level: Executive (SVP, VP, Department Head, etc) Duties include developing long and short range plans for the division; implementing and executing goals and objectives as established by the Commissioner of General Services; supervising a staff of 200 full-time civil service employees and between 400-600 part-time, temporary, and seasonal employees, approximately 4,500 acres of parks and open spaces, a current budget of $18,450,000, and a variety of programs to service a community of 268,000+ which includes natural areas, golf, athletics, after school (ESP) programs, maintenance, recreation, neighborhood, and community leisure services; supervises planning, designing and construction of facilities; directs the scheduling for usage of park land and facilities, meets with neighborhood and other civic groups, and participates as necessary in instructional special events, as well as cultural and leisure-time activity programs for all ages and interest groups. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 1. Bachelor’s degree in recreation, parks administration, sports management, business administration, public administration, or closely related field, and six (6) years of progressively responsible administrative and supervisory experience in recreational work and parks development and maintenance, of which two (2) years may be in fiscal management; or equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.asp?JobID=56332483

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2007-05-09T09:14:01-06:00

ID

128632

Comment

I just posted the version of this story that will appear in print. It's mostly the same animal, but with some longer quotes.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2007-05-09T09:27:29-06:00

ID

128633

Comment

It's clear that this job is not "rocket science," but it is much more complicated than people realize. It's an *administrative management* job. It's not about handing out basketballs in the park. Clay, you can be forgiven for not knowing what goes into it. It's not your job. But it IS Melton's job to know, or to have people around him who can tell him. Of course, many of those jobs are also filled with unqualified cronies, so here we are. Melvin could not figure out how to get the lawn crew kids drug-tested, even though he told me straight-on that they were. (That would be a lie, by the way.) Do you really, truly think he can figure out how to administrate the parks system with no training or experience?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-09T09:32:33-06:00

ID

128634

Comment

Charles would never get that job in Lexington. Out of curiosity, what is his educational background?

Author

golden eagle '97

Date

2007-05-09T09:40:20-06:00

ID

128635

Comment

Give me a break. There are actually college programs that grant degrees in the area of recreational adminstration. That's because the job entails more than just showing up and coaching the girls softball team. Allow me to read between the lines, then I would guess that he failed his interview because he's not spending adequate time on his day job attempting to learn the ins and outs of his new job responsiblities. That's why he didn't know anything about Mynelle Gardens. I'm sure he is a very nice guy, but read my lips, he is not qualified for this job. Why doesn't he apply for Chief Anderson's job. He couldn't do worse.

Author

lanier77

Date

2007-05-09T09:44:58-06:00

ID

128636

Comment

golden, I'd also be interested to learn his educational and work background... Based on the job description above for Lexington, it's a position that demands quite a bit or experience and education...

Author

kaust

Date

2007-05-09T10:11:29-06:00

ID

128637

Comment

Well, we did see him in court quite a bit during Melton's trial, along with Melton's other closest sidekicks -- like the police chief. Because, you know, she had nothing better to do with her time than show up to cheer for Melton to walk. Otherwise, this is just indicative that Jackson is not as good as a town like Lexington, Kentucky. We elect unqualified people like Melton, who make a mockery out of the idea of "crime-fighting," and then we're stuck with his cronies who are there to help him make a mockery out of the city. If this city doesn't learn from this experience, I don't know what'll learn us. So to speak.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-09T10:18:41-06:00

ID

128638

Comment

Lexington's elected their share of screwballs, too. I was a member of the Citizens Transit Advisory Board, appointed by then-Mayor Scotty Baesler. Imagine our shock to hear the Vice-Mayor say that Lexington did not need mass transit! She eventually became Mayor, and the transit tax passed after I left Lexington. LexTran has flourished, in spite of her.

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2007-05-09T10:26:22-06:00

ID

128639

Comment

I totally agree with everything y'all have written except this by ladd: this is just indicative that Jackson is not as good as a town like Lexington, Kentucky. That may be true overall. But, I think this Parks and Rec job is for a combined City/County structure from the job description. Like if Jackson and Hinds combined. Lexington appears to be combined with the County. Therefore, it is a bigger creature than what we have here. However, our size has nothing to do with Melton's bad choice for Director or the fact that he is mismanaging every department we have. So, I probably need to cut my teeth a bit more with a Parks and Rec like Jackson's or Tupelo's for a few years, and then go for a job like this one! Although, I may have to see if they need an Asst. Director. ;-)

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-05-09T10:35:07-06:00

ID

128640

Comment

Actually, I disagree with what I said, too! I apparently left out some words. Oops! What I meant to say is that it is indicative that people do not BELIEVE we are as good a town as Lexington, requiring the same level of high standards and expertise. I believe the exact opposite. I mean, I've been to Lexington. ;-) Thanks for calling that out, Pike. That was an awful omission.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-09T10:39:29-06:00

ID

128641

Comment

Here is Lexington's Parks and Rec web page. 1...2...3... Envy!

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-05-09T10:43:16-06:00

ID

128642

Comment

Lexington/Fayette County is indeed a merged government. So is Louisville/Jefferson County. Works well up there. If Jackson/Hinds County merged, with Frank as Mayor, I'd have to move.

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2007-05-09T12:06:53-06:00

ID

128643

Comment

lets get something straight! i mentioned that he worked for me to say that i knowhim personally and the he's a nice guy....now dont put words in my mouth!! I personally think frank melton is a douche & could care less who runs park & recreations in jackson. I gues I got a bit off subject by even mentioning that he worked for me on the weekends. the whole post was just to make the point that he was a certafied jackson police officer not just some jackass.

Author

clay e.

Date

2007-05-09T15:46:03-06:00

ID

128644

Comment

I got a bit off subject by even mentioning that he worked for me on the weekends. the whole post was just to make the point that he was a certafied jackson police officer not just some jackass. claye Cool. We just expressed that being a weekend guard is certainly not qualifications to be Parks and Rec Director. He may be a great guy and good cop? Too bad, he can't just stick to what he knows best. I'm glad you posted it. This shows how well Melton can judge talent; and, it reaffirms our suspicions (if Shirlene's resume wasn't enough!) that Melton only hires cronies - not qualified people.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-05-09T15:52:23-06:00

ID

128645

Comment

It seems to me that if Melvin is a COP that FM would have him in the much needed JPD. What a waste of certification if this is true. This administration couldn't think themselves out of a wet paper bag

Author

jada

Date

2007-05-09T22:52:28-06:00

ID

128646

Comment

Does anyone think real businessmen like Leroy Walker or Leland Speed would run the city this way, considering FM is not a real businessman?

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-09T22:57:09-06:00

ID

128647

Comment

Leland Speed just left MDA and he certainly didn't run it in the ground like uncle frank has done to Jackson. Speed was an intelligent CEO and he appointed qualified persons to manage. Of course, there was the question of workplace diversity, but that's a recurring problem in state government - not enough foward thinking people.

Author

lanier77

Date

2007-05-10T08:02:09-06:00

ID

128648

Comment

If Frank had any sense he'd turn over the business developement and related issues to Leland and just get the hell out of the way. Everyone would be better off.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-10T08:09:11-06:00

ID

128649

Comment

King, I would love to see Leroy Walker run for mayor. He probably had reservations about running against HJ, but I think if he ran and beat FM next election he could really show Jacksonians that government can run efficiently using sound business principles. He's certainly more likely to embrace the business and development community instead of thumbing his nose at the very people who are genuinely interested in investing in this town.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-05-10T12:51:12-06:00

ID

128650

Comment

well, when you are used as a front to get an FCC license you don't have to work on your business skills I guess.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-10T14:54:48-06:00