Jackson Free Press

A June 15 event billed as a huge show of unity for Mayor-elect Harvey Johnson Jr. turned into a debate over transparency after organizers barred photographers and electronic media from the event held at the University Club downtown.

Walter Zinn, Johnson's campaign coordinator, said organizers—which included business leaders like author James Covington and Center for Social Entrepreneurship founder Bill Cooley—voted to bar the use of cameras because of the reception's designation as a private fundraiser. Both Zinn and Covington said it was a mistake that the media, who were invited by several hosts and organizers, were not forewarned that cameras would be barred.

Johnson himself called the Jackson Free Press Tuesday about the mix-up over transparency. "We screwed up," he said, adding that it was the decision of the organizers, and "we were pulled into the mess."

Covington said Tuesday that he wished cameras had been allowed in to better document the positive nature of the event. "It was shortsighted. Granted," he said. The organizers, he said, had the "right" to close the event, which likely raised thousands of dollars to retire Johnson's campaign debate.

Johnson would not divulge Tuesday how much debt he has, or how much was raised at the event, saying he was not legally required to report the figures, yet. During the campaign, Johnson vowed to return transparency to city government, including lessening the time the public has to wait for public information.

Despite the controversy over transparency, organizers called the reception a success, pointing out that a variety of people attended, including supporters of Johnson's political opponent Marshand Crisler, and people working under former Mayor Frank Melton.

Noticeably absent were businessman Leland Speed and Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin, who supported Crisler. Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen said Speed was "at the function in spirit" but out of state at the time of the event.

Jackson developer David Watkins, who is overseeing renovation of the King Edward Hotel, Standard Life Building and the Farish Street Entertainment District, said voters had "chosen to put our city back on track," and called for unity under the new mayor.

Dr. David Powe, associate vice chancellor for administrative affairs at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, called on local universities and colleges to do their part in "helping move the city forward." Powe did not say if UMMC would consider re-instituting an annual $200,000 payment to the city devised under Johnson's last administration. Melton canceled the grant in 2005.

Allen called on business leaders to deal with the new administration out of the public eye. "Families have disagreements, and families that are smart have disagreements with decorum, with stability, and they don't do it in the newspaper. I pledge on behalf of Downtown Jackson Partners—and I hope that everyone in here will pledge as well—that you will not be the bait for the press."

"I love the press," he added caustically.

Johnson divulged few changes he intends, but marked poverty as the city's top issue.

"One out of every four persons in our city is at or below poverty level. It's going to be difficult to talk about crime, about education, and affordable housing until you do something about poverty," Johnson said.

He then revealed his intention to push businesses seeking tax abatements and contracts with the city to hire Jacksonians. Johnson said any working solution would require the participation of people who don't know the exclusive University Club exists: ӑTogether' means that we have to make sure that the least of us is considered in any and every equation for progress.

Previous Commentsshow

People it is not the time to create issues that has no bearing on people working together to improve the City of Jackson. I do like the comment made by Mayor Johnson admitting the mistakes where made. Let be real he was not the organizer of the event and pictures will not help rebuild the City of Jackson, actions and hard work will! If the media wants to take pictures then taking them when we are presenting the accomplishments that are being done when Mayor Johnson takes office in July 2009.

Tony Davis

Jun 17 2009

I disagree with you, Tony, in that the pictures would indeed help Jackson. A picture is worth a thousand words, to use a cliche, and this city needs to see pictures of diverse parts of the city coming together to support Johnson. The organizers definitely created an issue by not considering how to better deal with the press. The biggest one, perhaps, is that there are some outlets in town pretty ticked out that they got the invitation, then could not get in. It is Johnson's problem, if not his fault, that some media in this city have been out to get him for years. All that said, I don't think he had any idea this was happening, but going forward, he must be sure he has someone who can deal with the media more professionally than anyone did that night. As for transparency, it can never take a day off. Starting this conversation now will only help down the road (hopefully), and we can thank the organizers for inadvertently getting us talking about it. No time spent talking about transparency is *ever* wasted.

DonnaLadd

Jun 17 2009

“One out of every four persons in our city is at or below poverty level. It’s going to be difficult to talk about crime, about education, and affordable housing until you do something about poverty,” Johnson said. i have to respectfully disagree with our once and future mayor. they are all intertwined and he should recognize that. crime, education, and lack of affordable housing are all factors that put people into poverty. they are not mutually exclusive. at the same time, poverty keeps the cycle going. he has to understand that reducing poverty does not mean having an influx of service sector jobs that pay slightly above minimum wage.

eyerah

Jun 17 2009

Eyerah, I'm pretty confident he understands that from past conversations with him. I'm relieved to hear him say that we can't solve the other issues without dealing with poverty, though. You know well that make some people who just wrote checks to him mighty nervous. I'm glad he said it; it is hard to accuse him of pandering when he made a statement like that to the richest businesspeople around.

DonnaLadd

Jun 17 2009

i have to respectfully disagree with our once and future mayor. they are all intertwined and he should recognize that. Not necessarily. I agree with what you're trying to say, but being in poverty doesn't mean one will commit a crime, just as being wealthy doesn't mean one won't commit a crime. But there is no doubt that poverty is a contributing factor to crime. A better education system and higher-paying jobs will help reduce crime in the long run. I have to agree with Donna on the transparency issue. It may not be Johnson's fault that cameras were banned from the event, but his case for transparency starts off on a bad foot.

golden eagle

Jun 17 2009

I'd dare to argue that believing in our young people, and not assuming they will be criminal, is the most important first step. Of course, this is where lingering racism becomes a huge factor.

DonnaLadd

Jun 17 2009

golden eagle, i will say that crime contributes to poverty in this regard: if a young man with a child or children commits a crime and is imprisoned, then those children are likely to grow up in a one-parent home and are more likely to be in poverty. i can't tell you the number of young children i've worked with who live in poverty whose father is in prison. or, in another way, those who have criminal records have a much harder time finding gainful employment in most cases, thus contributing to poverty. that's why i say it's all intertwined. i'm not saying only poor people commit crimes. but, crime hits poorer people much harder. i am glad Harvey said what he said, i just hope he understands the complexity of the issue. since i don't know him personally, i'll take donna's word that he does. if he concentrates on urban renewal, economic development, and education, i think the other issues will take care of themselves. he's got to get the entire community involved in each of those three pillars.

eyerah

Jun 17 2009

It would be nice to see Harvey at public events supporting city venues before he gets into office (or even after he's in office for that matter). There are numerous events across town every week; for instance, last Friday Jesse Robinson performed at the new F. Jones Corner on Farish Street for his birthday bash. There were people of various backgrounds and races and a good time was had by all. It's events like this that will hoist this city up off its knees. Pride and spirit go a long way in city development.

chip

Jun 17 2009

I do believe Johnson understands the complexity, eyerah. It's much of the rest of the city we need to worry about, though. The media was able the perpetuate the Perception-Gate™ myth on him and Chief Moore five years ago precisely so many people did not question the over-simplicity of the all the sneering about "perception." What they both said was very intelligent; it's too bad the media twisted it and couldn't wrap their heads around the point. One of our problems here is not only corporate media, but the corporate media that is led by some pretty unsophisticated thinkers. And I saw that with due respect. They could do better, but they need others around them to challenge them to do better. People in all of our neighborhoods can *think*; we just all have to challenge each other to not go with the easier sound bite. The same is true on the poverty issue, and how it fits into the bigger picture. Johnson, as well as Horhn, showed a real sophistication in their thinking and discussion on these complex issues during our editorial board meetings with them. It was clear both of them knew how ridiculous the sound bite, "crime is the No. 1 issue," without coupling it with a discussion of poverty, education and the bigotry of low expectations. I think we're in good hands with Johnson; the question will be if the community really gets his messages, and if the media turn on him from getgo, which was one of the big risks of what went down Monday night. Even some of his supporters seem to have a hard time wrapping their heads around the severity of his media challenges. To get past them, he is going to have to show a dedication to transparency every single day, so as not to create more roadblocks than the less-intelligent media in town are likely to throw up (like Perception-Gate). And I agree on the schmoozing, Chip. I remember about five years ago when Johnson and the first lady came to our Best of Jackson party, and he really impressed a lot of the people there who don't see him out much. People need to see first-hand what Johnson is really like so they aren't as prone to believe the false hype so often perpetuated about him by people with personal problems with him.

DonnaLadd

Jun 17 2009

It's incidents like this that his enemies will make note of. If he wants to start off on the right foot, he has to be hyper-aware of the media and make sure the message gets out.

Ironghost

Jun 17 2009