Jackson Free Press

As part of The Clarion-Ledger's odd collection of articles today, seemingly designed to kiss and make up with the city it has scorned and bashed for so long, David Hampton pens a fluff column about the "preconceived notions" about Jackson—the ones his paper has made money off of for years. He writes: "There are those who have their own agendas and prejudices who will not listen no matter what. That's OK; the development is happening regardless." Funny to see what we've all been trying to tell that corporate newspaper repeated back to us all in its pages as if we don't know it. Thanks, Ledger. Right on time.

But this little throwaway line really caught my eye: "We are doing better with crime, but still have a long way to go." Huh? "Better" than when? Could you be specfic, Mr. Hampton? Do you mean "better" than during the previous administration when we were enjoying some of our lowest crimes rates in years, before it spiked under Mayor Melton? You remember that time, don't you—when your paper was pounding the last mayor and his police chief constantly about crime, not believing that it was falling, and repeating every sound bite coming from Melton and friends to prepare for his ascent to City Hall?

Don't point to downtown—downtown crime has been low for years, and was back when your paper constantly said that development couldn't happen there until the "No. 1 crime issue" was "solved" (one of the more naive things your paper has ever said, and that's saying something).

It seems that your paper suddenly made the turn and crawled off the crime sensationalism bandwagon when Sheriff Malcolm McMillin took on a second job as Jackson police chief. We were relieved to see Melton's lapdog Shirlene Anderson out of that office, too, but that does mean that crime was suddenly cured (or that the city should share a top cop with the county). You might look back at all the unsolved murders of young people in this city in 2007 to see if you can really argue that crime is "better." It's suddenly not better than it was four years ago, and it's disingenuous for you guys to act like it is—even with this kinder, gentler Ledger that has discovered that the redevelopment and reignited passion for Jackson has happened not because of y'all, or with your support—but despite your best efforts to diss the city in order to play to the suburbs, sell newspapers and to get a mayor in there who would create further headlines.

Thanks, but no thanks, Ledger. You've shown your irrelevance. So don't start trying to cozy up to the city now that people have rolled up their shirtsleeves and made things happen despite you. Oh, and watch those crime perceptions. It's just as easy to assume that crime is "better" due to "perception" as it is to assume it's worse. You guys are guilty of both.

Previous Comments

ID

129931

Comment

Just like with Melton, Johnny has come late again. These guys must think they can have it both ways. While it is nice that they've opened up their eyes and have seen the error of their ways, that still doesn't excuse the horrible treatment they dealt on this city for so long. I don't know how they can look this city in the face and suddenly be rah-rah when for years, they tried to tell everyone, in so many ways, that Jackson is a vast wasteland of crime and blight that's beyond repair. While the C-L isn't solely responsible for Jackson's negative perceptions, their hands are still dirty from it, no matter how much they try to wash their hands clean of it.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-05-18T15:00:32-06:00

ID

129932

Comment

They're not alone in it, but they were a major forum for it, no doubt. They complained about the city all the time, while doing very little to get to the root of the problems, and they helped hoist many of our current problems on us based on bad journalism and gullibility (at best). I'm so sick of their games and half-assed journalism.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-05-18T15:02:44-06:00

ID

129941

Comment

I think this line says it all... "Leadership and civic involvement are critical to any community and Jackson has been lacking in both." Instead of the word Jackson, he should have put "The Clarion-Ledger"...

Author

thabian

Date

2008-05-19T11:31:33-06:00