Jackson Free Press

Mayor Frank Melton's attorney John Reeves said today that the mayor has no need to appoint an interim mayor after confirming that Melton traveled home to Texas after leaving the hospital Friday. "He is in charge," Reeves said. He said the city is sending Melton essential papers to be signed. "He has a wonderful staff—some of the best I've seen, and I've been in public service for 25 years."

"The city hasn't missed a beat in terms of administrative matters. As far as I know, (Melton) hasn't even thought of appointing an interim mayor." He added that anyone saying that he should might have "ulterior motives."

On Sunday, Jackson Assistant CAO/Interim Director Goldia Revies sent out a press alert saying that all inquiries about the mayor's health and recovery should be directed to Reeves.

Reeves wasn't sure, however, exactly when Melton traveled or how. "I don't know. This past weekend, I think Saturday the 10th," he said in a phone interview. Reeves was also not sure how Melton, who was determined too ill to stand trial on Dec. 31 in his federal trial, traveled home—whether he drove, or flew private or commercial.

"I don't know how he got there. ... Typically, his security detail drives him," Reeves said. "Last time, it was arranged so he could lie down in the back seat." That time was when he went home at Thanksgiving, he added.

Melton alerted Reeves over the weekend that he was going to Texas, but not the details of his travel or accommodations. "His wife lives there, and she's a physician," Reeves said. "I'm almost certain he's staying there with her." Dr. Ellen Redd Melton is a pediatrician in the Tyler, Texas, area, where the couple owns a home together and she lives.

Reeves said that Melton is still under the care of his Jackson physician. Judge Dan Jordan revealed in court documents that Melton's cardiologist, Dr. Myrna Alexander, testified that she had first seen Melton in 2005, the year he ran for and took over the mayor's office, and diagnosed him with severe congestive heart failure and hypertension. Later, he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease and underwent two vessel bypass surgery. He is now in end stage cardiomyopathy, and Dr. Alexander has recommended a heart transplant, but Melton has refused.

In November, Melton went to St. Dominic's Hospital for an aneurysm; he returned to the hospital in December with heart failure, his doctor said. He is "critically" ill.

The mayor, who is under federal indictment for the destruction of a Ridgeway Street duplex in August 2006, has to alert his probation officer whenever he travels out of town. Melton got into trouble in state court when he violated terms of his probation during his first trial, but Reeves said this time he has followed procedure when he wants to go out of state. "In order to travel, Mr. Melton has to notify his probation officer, Mr. (Mark) Quarles. He will typically call or write," he said, adding that he isn't sure which form he followed this time.

Reeves said that he spoke to Melton this morning, and that he sounded "strong": "He was fully alert. ... He's looking forward to getting back in the saddle." He said he expected Melton to return to Jackson and his job as mayor by later in the week. "He was talking about his initiative to fight crime in the city," Reeves said. "He's passionate about it. He's even more passionate about black-on-black crime in the inner city. His mission is to find the root causes. It's that mission which led to this case."

Melton's defense for the Ridgeway duplex destruction is that it was a drug house and that its tenant asked for his help. Tenant Evans Welch denies that assertion. One of Melton's bodyguard, Marcus Wright, has testified that Melton was intoxicated.

Previous Comments

ID

142836

Comment

Let's face it, he's as much in charge as he's ever been. Which isn't saying much.

Author

Jennifer2

Date

2009-01-12T17:44:51-06:00

ID

142837

Comment

John Reeves writes: "He’s passionate about it. He’s even more passionate about black-on-black crime in the inner city. His mission is to find the root causes. It’s that mission which led to this case." Since his actions as described by prosecutors were an example of black-on-black crime in the inner city, I suppose this means he's learning by immersion? I always get hopeful when folks talk about root causes of inner-city crime because that could indicate somebody finally understands the social justice dimensions to all this. Then I realize he probably just means he still wants to ban sagging pants and late night parties and generally treat the inner city like a grounded 14-year-old, which is so not how. That said, this situation gets sadder the more we learn about it. Here's a guy diagnosed with a very serious heart condition, and he's been practically killing himself for three and a half years, right in front of us. As if the Melton administration wasn't already depressing enough, right?

Author

Tom Head

Date

2009-01-12T20:35:51-06:00

ID

142841

Comment

He’s even more passionate about black-on-black crime in the inner city. His mission is to find the root causes. It’s that mission which led to this case.”He’s even more passionate about black-on-black crime in the inner city. His mission is to find the root causes. It’s that mission which led to this case.” Isn't this in violation of the gag order? Seems as though they (Melton & his attorney) keep trying to slide litte comments in that go against the gag order. Passion has nothing to do with this case.

Author

honey2me

Date

2009-01-13T08:59:12-06:00

ID

142842

Comment

The root causes to inner city crime and black-on-black crime have been thoroughly researched and are well documented. We know the problems and the root causes, we need innovative solutions, thinking outside of the box, and people willing to work on the problems and chip away at the root causes: systemic poverty, lack of education (not poor schools or teachers, but lack of resources in inner city schools), lack of economic empowerment in the community, weak family structures, we could go on and on about the causes.

Author

lanier77

Date

2009-01-13T09:13:42-06:00

ID

142847

Comment

Isn't it interesting that neither the CAO of the melton administration or melton's attorney knows how/when melton left to go "HOME". Why would John Reeves boast of the quality of the melton adm.? Who exactly is he trying to fool? mleton said that he would fire SORE and Walker if they released any information about the 1099s of City employees. His TX of Walker has been insulting and embarrassing on too many occasions. So, Mr. Reeves, give us a break. This is just too insulting to read. If melton is going "HOME", should this be at 2 Carter Grove. I thought that the mayor's home should be the place where he homesteads. Oh, I forgot, this is how he became an illigal canidate for mayor four years ago and folks who could have made the difference, didn't. These chickens are now rousing on our front yard.

Author

justjess

Date

2009-01-13T13:06:25-06:00

ID

142868

Comment

This whole article was about a bunch of BS!!!! Frenk Melton is the worse mayor Jackson has ever had and probably the worse mayor the United States has ever seen. With the exception of Robert Walker, who seems to have sold his soul to keep his job, just about all of Melton's department heads are incompetent. His administrative staff, with the exception of Goldia Revies, are useless and she is an enabler for Melton I do not believe there is another city in the United States with a mayor as crazy and incompetent as FrankMelton. The concerned clergy should have been praying for Jackson instead of Melton. Someone needs to ask Revies and Walker is their loyalty to the citizens of Jackson or to Melton. Ir would be interesting to hear their answers.

Author

wellington

Date

2009-01-14T00:23:49-06:00

ID

142876

Comment

lanier 77, I hear you and it is so refreshing to read from those with such a great dept of understanding. I wish you that you could give that spill to the City Council and also to Barbour and the Legislature. These folks are focusing on pants that expose underwear; not "systemic poverty" and family and community without economic resources or structure. This issue will get a lot of attention; however, it is sending the wrong message. wellington, these folks are not interested in the citizens of Jackson. It's about I, ME, MY.

Author

justjess

Date

2009-01-14T09:53:02-06:00