Jackson Free Press

As national politics swirl, and the news that one of Frank Melton's bodyguards is turning on him comes in, thoughts are turning to the mayoral race ahead in Jackson. What are your thoughts? Who do you want? Go for it.

Previous Comments

ID

138739

Comment

Bump. Here you go, Harry.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-10-07T16:09:24-06:00

ID

138740

Comment

I've only been here a year so maybe some of you can provide some background. I'm curious; how did Mr. Melton get elected 3 years ago with I think 81% of the vote? What was his coalition? What were the voters looking for then? Did the business community support him? What has changed? What qualities will Jacksonians be seeking in the next mayor? Just asking.

Author

annyimiss

Date

2008-10-07T16:49:28-06:00

ID

138742

Comment

2 reasons: 1) Melton is GOOD at media - photo opps, standing in the streets saying he'll build an old woman a new house out of his own pocket if he has to (nevermind he never did it) He is a master at the game of getting media attention 2) Melton will go into poor neighborhoods where there is a lot of crime, drugs, just down folks, and he will make a presence there. Unfortuntately, often he did illegal things, such as entering people's houses wearing a badge, asking them questions without an attorney,etc. BUT, from my observation none of the other mayors have ever just plain put themselves in those neighborhoods as much as Frank Melton. Ya'll correct me if I'm wrong. I'm dazed on lack of sleep and peanut butter pie. I'm sad to see so many people's hopes dashed - they truly thought Frank was the answer to their prayers. He was going to end crime in 90 days, remember?

Author

Izzy

Date

2008-10-07T17:15:01-06:00

ID

138743

Comment

To answer your questions as best as possible: Melton was the CEO of WLBT-TV, where he often made fiery speeches at public officials in his weekly "Bottom Line" commentaries. He was (and still is) often regarded as some kind of folk hero to Jacksonians fed up with crime and wayward youth. Surely, Melton did get in office with 81% of the vote, but not very many people voted in the general election. Did the mayor have a lot of support? Yes, but I'm not exactly how popular he was. He seemed to have had a lot of support from the business community, though. People voted him in because his top priority was crime. Basically, Melton's problem is that he thinks everything is his way or the highway and doesn't care if it's legal or not. It's as if he thinks he's some sort of super-hero. The sad thing about it is that while he may've had some good ideas on paper, his plan to see them implemented have been all wrong. He has a lack of understanding how things works. As if he snaps his finger, things happen. Another problem with Melton (though not necessarily related to being mayor) is also his personal demons. The JFP, particular Donna, have pointed out his various health problems and how he isn't taking care of himself properly. He's basically leading himself down a path of self-destruction. That's just the short of it. I'm sure others can fill the gaps.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-10-07T17:16:23-06:00

ID

138744

Comment

instead of naming who will be next mayor, what if people made a wish list? such as: 1) sees following the law as normal, sets a good example in this 2) aware of law and of city administrative procedure - not going to let grant money get pissed away by lack of a deadline 3) cares about all people of Jacktown, esp. the ones in the neigborhoods that have been really trashed by drugs and crime 4) knows how to be available to community policing, community involvement, community development 5) won't harass city council members if they disagree with him or her 6) won't require city of J to foot bill for 2 FT cops as bodyguards

Author

Izzy

Date

2008-10-07T17:21:43-06:00

ID

138746

Comment

I'll have much more to say later (putting out paper), but one thing is not be fooled by the 81 percent (curious where you found that while knowing so little about the whole thing!). That was in the general election against Whitlow, a Republican who never had a chance. The real race was in the primary, which was a high percentage of a very low turnout. His supporters were a very strange rainbow coalition of North Jackson Republicans and working-class African Americans. And the Jackson Advocate folks. Very odd mix of people who don't like each other much. He said what each wanted to hear. The other main reason was pitiful media coverage of him for years. Many people simply didn't have real info on him and believed the ridiculous hype of him going to solve crime in 90 days. I don't know how they believed it, but hey, the country elected Bush twice. More later.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-10-07T17:42:12-06:00

ID

138815

Comment

Like the idea of defining the ideal mayor, or at least writing the job qualifications for the ideal mayor. Seems that right now the bar is set very low. (feel free to realize the opportunities for irony and wordplay in that last sentence) Law abiding is such a sad place to start. How does the present government (and I must say that to an outsider the city council often seems outmaneuvered or a step or a few steps late) correspond to the portrayal of Jackson as a city on the move, ready to rise and prosper? How can that renaissance happen with a city government that often seems dysfunctional? And I mean not just those in office but the structure itself. How many of the plans for the development of downtown Jackson and other areas in the city depended on Frank Melton being the mayor? It just seems odd to me that people would want to invest in the city given his history of erratic behavior and administrative incompetence. Anyone care to speculate on how the presidential campaign and its long term effects will influence the mayoral campaign? I don't just mean the outcome; how will increased registration and turnout and organizing play out in this local election?

Author

annyimiss

Date

2008-10-08T06:46:01-06:00

ID

138822

Comment

My money is on Crisler.

Author

QB

Date

2008-10-08T08:47:11-06:00

ID

138823

Comment

I'm hearing some very persistent that John Horhn is working on his war chest.

Author

msgrits

Date

2008-10-08T09:44:31-06:00

ID

138826

Comment

He's a state senator. I don't see Crisler winning unless no other viable candidate makes a serious challenge.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-10-08T10:17:13-06:00

ID

138828

Comment

Just a curious thought, when all this finally goes down and Melton is called out for the worthless POS that he is, what is going to happen to Stokes, Tillman and Blunston? I realize that there are people in their constituencies that follow them like blind lemmings to the cliff. With the seed of corruption laid, how will they fair? And how will their support or lack there of for a decent mayor matter.... Just some rambling thoughts...

Author

Puck

Date

2008-10-08T10:32:35-06:00

ID

138829

Comment

I canvassed for John Horhn when he first ran for senator. It was a fun experience, and plus he paid all us broke college students for it and took us out to eat afterwards. Great guy. I wish he wasn't for the civil rights museum being at Tougaloo, but besides that, he would be a great choice. Crisler and Allen, too, although I think Allen is enjoying his freedom now. :P

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-10-08T11:08:19-06:00

ID

138831

Comment

Senator Horhn is articulate, polished, professional, and smart. I like Crisler, but I would vote for Horhn. I want someone that's willing to have a backbone, able to compromise when necessary, and make some drastic changes in city government so that something can be accomplished. This city has so much hidden potential.

Author

lanier77

Date

2008-10-08T11:18:12-06:00

ID

138832

Comment

Tillman, Blunston, Stokes connection a.k.a The Three-Headed Monster - none of those sorry joker’s don’t even need to consider sleeping on the thought of trying to run for mayor! I would have Ladd all over it if they even thought about it! TBS doesn't need to run. I don't dislike Tillman as a person, but I think that if he were mayor, Stokes and Bluntson would use him as a doormat. Stokes is too belligerent for my taste, and his chances of winning are low anyway since 99.9% of the votes would come from Ward 4. Bluntson has too much dirt on him to run for mayor, and I think we're at a point now that people will pay attention to the Columbia training school abuse scandal. He got to be acting mayor when Melton appointed him for a hot minute, and I think he won't get much farther than that, especially if folks start digging up some of the stuff he's said on his radio show.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-10-08T11:21:17-06:00

ID

138843

Comment

None of them would run for mayor. That means you would have to do some realy work and they are not up to that!~~oops! Anyway, Mr. Tillman has really gotten too old to even hold onto that council seat - predictably someone will be picking that seat up in the next election.

Author

lanier77

Date

2008-10-08T13:30:59-06:00

ID

138848

Comment

True, lanier. I didn't want to bring up age, but...

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-10-08T14:59:58-06:00

ID

138877

Comment

I like Sheriff Chief McMillan. He knows how to manage and finds qualified people to delagte reponsibility. He understands budgets. He is a good administrator..remember when his staff was handling the reimbursement from the State of Mississpii for state prisoners in the Hinds County Jail..the reports were turned in on time and the County got the cash. When the Supervisors took the administration of the reimbursement process away from McMillan, Hinds Co didn't ask the Stste for reimbursement for three or four years and lost millions in the process. Also, just look how the JPD lost hundreds of thousands of approved grant funds because the City didn't file the paperwork on time. He can get votes across racial lines. He is good with the media. He knows how to talk to all kinds and types of people without inadvertantly insulting them or turning them off. He can funny and he can be deadly serious in the same sentence I like him

Author

FrankMickens

Date

2008-10-09T17:09:58-06:00

ID

138887

Comment

How strict are the residency rules? If I'm not mistaken, the chief does not live in the city.

Author

annyimiss

Date

2008-10-10T06:24:54-06:00