Jackson Free Press

Ever since the mayor announced that the sheriff is going to moonlight as the police chief, it's as if fairy dust has been sprinkled on Jackson. It would seem that crimeדthe No. 1 issue!ԗwill be gone in a matter of weeks.

Funny how easy that was; in the blink of an eye, and with a political appointment by a desperate mayor under pressure—the problem is solved. We can have film festivals downtown, businesses can move back, Farish Street can finally be finished—all because a popular sheriff is now in charge.

Jackson sure likes its super hero myths.

The problem, of course, is that Sheriff McMillin is not a super hero, and even if he were, such a man of steel could not overcome the challenges facing our city on his own. Crime is a symptom of other problems that cost money and time to fix—that have been exacerbated by years of race politics, irrational economic policies, and ongoing intolerance of ideas and people who would help take Jackson, and its tax base, to the next level.

Mac ain't gonna fix that one. Not alone.

Mayor Melton has again shown how fiscally irresponsible he is. He has danced through a command-staff minefield as if it was filled with dollars. Even as he has recently tossed out yet another balanced budget, leaving the current fiscal year unbalanced, he has made (and withdrawn) numerous appointments apparently designed to keep his friends close and his former friends closer.

On top of the $3 million deficit that Mr. Melton apparently has no plan to cover—state law be damned—Melton has obligated the city to a few more hundred thousands in extra payroll to cover his pool of current and rejected police commanders—both those who end up with the coveted jobs and those in front of whom he dangled police power before yanking it back.

Even as many Jacksonians are celebrating the sheriff's second badge, we are concerned about the fiscal implications of all Melton's moves in this game of "chief checkers." What happens when the sheriff and the mayor bump heads over Melton's misguided ideas about policing and fiscal administration?

We are also concerned that Melton appointed Gerald Jones as chief just long enough to approve Michael Recio's pay raise as assistant chief. This move was an end run around the people of Jackson.

Council has the tools to fight Melton on the fiscal front and force him to balance the budget; Jacksonians should support them. Likewise, while we're for giving McMillin a chance as police chief, we feel this move bears further scrutiny, particularly as McMillin was an important independent voice as sheriff.

It'll take all of us to bring about increased economic development and bring down crime—there are no super heroes.

Previous Commentsshow

We are also concerned that Melton appointed Gerald Jones as chief just long enough to approve Michael Recio’s pay raise as assistant chief. This move was an end run around the people of Jackson. I found it amusing that the other media outlets in town were touting that it would only cost Jackson $46,000 for all the raises pushed through by Gerald Jones, and Melton. Yet, they forget that a bump in salary has other costs associated with it. FICA, Medicaid, and retirement all has to be matched my the City. There may be perks or other benefits involved with the new positions that will require extra money to cover? I don't think it is good that McMillin will not demote Recio, and the others, until we can further evaluate his move to Chief.

pikersam

Nov 26 2007

It’ll take all of us to bring about increased economic development and bring down crime—there are no super heroes. Uh huh. Regardless of whether the city council confirms Mac or not, if Jackson doesn't get off its do-nothing stool and play an active role in its success and security, we'll still have the same problems even if Superman himself was police chief. Apathetic citizens are the city's kryptonite. I read this on Jim Hightower's blog and thought it would be useful here: "Everybody does better when everybody does better."

LatashaWillis

Nov 26 2007