Jackson Free Press

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton called his administration's work on lowering the crime rate in the city a "failure" twice during a Dec. 30 press conference, but followed up each confession with a caveat. The first was an admonition that his failures stemmed from the ever-present red tape—and pointless little things like the Constitution—tying his hands behind his back.

Melton referenced his attempts to close down strip clubs, porn stores and one nightclub. Practically none of his attempts, like those on the Upper Level club, Terry Road Novelty bookstore and the strip clubs, were legally permissible. The strip clubs lawyered up and kicked him away, while the Upper Level—whose manager was allegedly beaten by Melton's associates in front of witnesses in 2006—is still fighting for its license. The Terry Road bookstore abandoned shop, while a second novelty store in south Jackson got its own lawyers and remains open today, despite Melton's raids.

The truth is, those who should have been keeping him in check often put terrifying power into Melton's hands. Melton himself admits that his tactics draw the attention of law enforcement, which has twice dragged him before a judge, so far, over his alleged demolition of a home on Ridgeway Street in 2006.

He escaped conviction in his 2007 state trial, though the City Council is still fighting over having to pay his attorney fees. Right now, city accountants are probably secretly hoping Melton gets canned this time around, just so the city won't be stuck paying his attorneys' fees again.

Melton's second admonition of failure preceded a promise "to do a much better job" in the future and the promise of ruling the council through "executive order and veto power."

It's hard to take the mayor's promise of a better, more responsible future seriously when he promises in the same breath that the cloud of prosecution is "always going to be … hanging over me because I'm going to do what I feel is right."

Even when asked by teh JFP point blank if he's going to do everything legally going forward, Melton said, "Yes, ma'am," but then in the very same sentence referenced some homes he burned down that did not meet EPA requirements before he took a match to them.

In view of Melton's past failures, he should take advantage of the golden opportunity put before him by his attorney's Dec. 29 motion for continuance of trial based on his health problems.

To be blunt: If his attorney feels he isn't healthy enough to sit before a jury and answer questions, why is he healthy enough to make decisions regarding the city's future? It is time for Melton to resign.

Previous Commentsshow

Amen to that!

golden eagle

Jan 2 2009

Excellent article!

lance

Jan 3 2009

Based on Melton's attempt to point the blame on others, I wouldn't be surprised if he starts to say that his irrational actions as Mayor were due to his illness. If he is re-elected and given a second chance, he will promise to solve the crime problem this time. PROMISE!!!

lance

Jan 3 2009

The local media is reporting that Melton checked himself into St. Dominic's Saturday night. The reasoning for going has not been released.

golden eagle

Jan 5 2009

As many of you who blog on this site know, I have spent the last four years trying to raise the level of curiosity to this man called, melton. I have frequently asked, "Who is this stranger among us? Many people in this community knew melton but, were willing to assist financially, to spread lies and to give their vote to ensure the over-throw of the Johnson Administration. It happened! For some, it did not matter how many strange murders occured in the City or the history of the drug traffic or whose rights were violated with the imprint of a melton connection or the number of under aged kids who were exposed to maladaptive behavior. As long as this issue was a problem for the black community only and all of the players were Black, it just didn't matter. "Just don't cross I-55." South Jackson had already become an exodus for White residents and business owners: The focus of police protection and structural upkeep was/is on Eastover and Fondern. It happened! This was not enough to keep the City going because even if the crime/drug/decay of the City were contained in the Black community,there would be a massive spill over. It happened! The importance of how to manage a City as a total entity began to show its ugly face. melton's boast of needing only one other person to run this City and basically following this very ignorant, arrogant and silly strategy was unreal! To see members of the City Council, with the exception of Barrett Simone, support this foolishness speaks volume to the need for a turnover in council selection. It needs to happen! To get back to my point in all of this, melton is critically ill. He has been court ordered to take his medicine; however, when one is dealing with an addiction, and the physical appearance of liver problems ?(distended stomach),the drive to choose drugs/alcohol over Rx medication is a given. This man has a lot to deal with and it seems that he will deal with his terminal illness the same way he dealt with becoming CEO of Chanel III, MBN Director, and mayor of the City of Jackson: Through lies, more lies, grandiosity and arrogance. His behaviors, I hate; not the man.

justjess

Jan 5 2009

Justjess, why does it seem like everyone has amnesia now? Crisler has not supported Melton in any of his foolishness! He took a lot of criticism for "always picking on da Maya"! There are four members on the Council that have tried very hard to keep this city afloat and now, no one can seem to remember that.

Fitz

Jan 5 2009

I'm with Fitz on this one. Crisler was the only Council member willing to loudly and publicly criticize Melton pretty much from the beginning.

DonnaLadd

Jan 5 2009

Councilman Frank Bluntson: Melton has fluid in his lungs, which made it difficult for him to breathe. I'm really worried for him now. The TV news media even reported that his wife is at his bedside at St. Dominic's.

golden eagle

Jan 7 2009

Fitz, I don't have amnesia. You said that "There are four memebers on the Council that have tried very hard to keep this city afloat and no one can seem to remember that." I think you made my point. The Council has seven (7) members. If four (4) "TRIED" very hard to keep this city afloat, it would not be in the shape it's in. The BLOCK of four would have caused everything positive to pass and those things that should not have passed, would not have. The Council allowed melton to act a fool from the door. Please know that Jackson has a strong council, weak mayor form of government. Crisler talked about the mayor but, it could only be through the VOTE that could have made the difference. Crisler also advised his WARD members to show up at Kroger on Terry Road and spend money there to show the owners their worth/value. The recommendation should have been to tell Kroger that they are not the only game in town and people should not have to kiss their butts to keep them in the community. Again, this is my problem with so many of the "black leaders." There is never any talk about economic development for minorities. What keeps black folks from setting up some stores to service the population served. Its the lack/fear of this kind of thinking that causes my concern about Crisler in the role of mayor. The next African-American who will be mayor must be willing to keep the status quo. Once the powers that be find out that you are promoting equality, fairness, inclusiveness and everything that should happen in a democracy, you will be canned. It happened to Johnson and there are a lot of folks who know it! Just remember that there are seven Council Persons and if Four are always voting for the right thing, we would have absolutely no problems in this City and also, melton would have been long gone.

justjess

Jan 7 2009

At the time Crisler recommended that South Jackson residents show up in numbers at the Kroger Store, the store was malodorus and the the shelves were bare. I'm sure the Kroger folks appreciated the last minute financial injection. This makes me sick!

justjess

Jan 7 2009

Just Jess, There are not words to begin to explain what the four Councilpersons have gone through to try and keep this City afloat. The amount of information that has been kept from them, the delays, the ineptitude, the threats, etc. No matter who you are supporting for mayor, attacking those who have been in the fight for the Citizens of Jackson just isn't the way to go. Nothing bothers me more than to hear the cry of "throw all of those contentious people on the Council out of city government." Lord knows these people have tried to maintain some sane behavior when dealing with an administration out of control. Sent one of them to the hospital after he asked for Melton's resignation. But, we should thank them for holding the line and not being in agreement with Melton's rubber stamp boys, which is what three of the Councilmen have been..... just cheerleading rubber stamp boys.

Razor

Jan 8 2009

Trust me Razor, my comments are based on the fact that we don't get a pass for a council that has failed the public. The tax payers pay salaries to the men and woman who hold these positions. Please get a copy of the duties and responsibilities of a Council person for the City of Jackson. It just comes a time to pay the piper and I am hopeful that we will see men and women elected who are up for the task and will not hide behind their own personal politics or out of fear of doing/saying something that is not in keeping with "other powers." We have a test case unfolding right now with the City Council. Mr. Weill is pushing very hard for some accountability for the "stolen gas" saga. It is reported that approx. 90% of City employees to include some top brass have abuse the gas credit card system. We can do better and our better will not come with allowing those who sat idly by and knew or should have known that this City was going to HELL, quick, fast and in a hurry.

justjess

Jan 8 2009