Jackson Free Press

The Clarion-Ledger has a "big" story today that reeks of incomplete, gotcha journalism. Essentially the story is accusing David "Pops" Watkins, and perhaps others, of lying about investors in Farish Street. I sure do wish we were privy to Joyner's full interviews with Watkins and others. Joyner—the Ledger's rising "investigative" star—has interviewed me, and he lifted me far out of context that I wouldn't ever agree to such an interview again, and I don't trust anything he writes. A recent Ledger internal memo announced that he was becoming an investigative reporter, presumably sometime after they finish paying people overtime to take drunk pictures for their new, er, Gen X Web site. (At the same time that they are firing people.)

Previous Commentsshow

I read that and couldn't believe that hit the paper. It reads like he really, really wanted to slam Watkins but couldn't do it. It becomes clear that Performa is really at fault, and Dave's been blindsided by this mess. He didn't make it explicitly clear, however, and that's unforgivable.

Ironghost

Aug 13 2008

I think lots have always wondered why Performa would ever agree to open two of their biggest draws so closely to each other. But these are things we know and do not say, as Jerry Maguire would say. Way to throw someone under the bus with that article. Haven't LOTS of people been quoted with promises of B.B. King's? This is not "news" about B.B. King's OR Ground Zero.

emilyb

Aug 13 2008

As Ive said before and will restate again...The strength of the Farish project and the success or failure of the project lies with the PEOPLE. Their talents,their history, their diversity...It doesnt lie in celebrity names or chains. Frankly, they are great additions and attractions in and of themselves but they are not neede for Farish to succeed. So CL , even in your wildest dreams if the developers did ''lie'' to you(which they didnt) my response would be SO WHAT..BB Kings and Morgan arent gonna be on Farish..whats your point..It will succeed regardless...because it HAS to! Your attempt to diminish public support for Jackson will not work. ..........Im surprised the story about Madison rallying to save a starbucks didnt make your front page. Question? what makes your front page quicker..positive fluff pieces about Madison or negative stories about Jackson?

Kamikaze

Aug 13 2008

It's always darkest before the dawn, huh? I made the mistake of reading a few comments under the story, and I see that the "fix crime first" folks are still alive and kicking. You can't "fix" crime, but you can reduce it, and you can't do that without improving the infrastructure, which you can't improve without money, which you can't get without commerce. If we wait until we have zero murders or robberies, we'll be waiting until Jesus comes back. The surrounding communities didn't wait until they got rid of meth labs and underage drinking. Why do we have to wait?

LatashaWillis

Aug 14 2008

Think my post might not have been "all of my words." 1. Downtown Jackson does NOT have to replicate Beale Street to be successful. In fact, if it did, it would be downright boring. I personally don't want Memphis when I'm in Jackson. I want Jackson in Jackson. 2. Many people, unfortunately, cannot be visionary unless it's exactly like something they've already known in there "area," and they can't see the vision in their own local people, but at the same time, can't see a vision beyond what they see in cities within driving distance. 3. Fortunately, we have many leaders behind downtown Jackson who ARE big picture visionary. 4. We have enough local talent here anyway.

emilyb

Aug 14 2008

I just want Farish Street to breathe. I just want it to EXIST. I want it to not seem like a ghost town when someone ventures down there. I'd like people to go Downtown ON PURPOSE and not because they missed an exit. It doesn't matter to me if it's like ATL, Memphis, or Little Rock. I just want Jackson to be able to offer some resemblence of life in our downtown area. All else seems frivilous to me.

Queen601

Aug 18 2008

I'm with you, Queen. And Emily. And L.W. ... Go, Downtown. ;-)

DonnaLadd

Aug 18 2008