Jackson Free Press

Received this as via email today. Forwarded to me by some other outraged Jacksonians. Seems our Metro "friends" *sarcasm off* are using our crisis as a a means to drum up business. Having a good laugh at our expense. Or is it biting the hand that feeds you? Here is the info below. Several emails in response have been sent and in his replies this guy stands defiant with his "We're better than you" attitude. His email is [e-mail missing]. Two Rivers Restaurant. Im sick of this!

WOW! NO WATER IN JACKSON BUT PLENTY OF IT IN MADISON COUNTY. So take a short drive to Canton.

REST OF THIS WEEK 20% OFF YOUR ENTIRE FOOD TICKET

Once again the leadership of Jackson has lead it to a complete breakdown and failure of their infrastructure.Be we have plenty of water here in Canton so come on up have a great meal and you can use A REAL BATHROOM, not one sitting on 2x4's.

Also every Thursday we have entertainment in the lounge area as well as $1 drink specials for the ladies. Elaine Boatman will be teaching dance lessons next door at Two Rivers II the cost is only $10 per person.

The dance class is a lot of fun, small class so you won't be intimidated. There is lot of individual instruction.

Not to be combined with any other offers. Drink specials are only available in the bar area. Tax and gratuity not included. Offer expires on January 16, 2010

Two Rivers Restaurant
Johnny Stewart
1537 W. Peace St.
Canton, MS 39046

Previous Comments

ID

155104

Comment

Wow. Is that verbatim?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-01-14T16:19:21-06:00

ID

155106

Comment

Well, he's right...

Author

DrumminD21311

Date

2010-01-14T16:21:24-06:00

ID

155107

Comment

Copied and pasted :-/. ...And..right about WHAT Drummin. the fact that we have no water? DUH!!!

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2010-01-14T16:22:46-06:00

ID

155108

Comment

I love this part: Once again the leadership of Jackson has lead it to a complete breakdown and failure of their infrastructure.Be we have plenty of water here in Canton so come on up have a great meal and you can use A REAL BATHROOM, not one sitting on 2x4's.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-01-14T16:25:45-06:00

ID

155111

Comment

He can't be saying Canton's got better leadership...

Author

Ironghost

Date

2010-01-14T16:28:59-06:00

ID

155114

Comment

ouch!

Author

atlntaexile

Date

2010-01-14T16:45:08-06:00

ID

155116

Comment

I hope Johnny gives some of this windfall he's expecting to the Red Cross for Haiti. But assuming the leanings of his ilk, it will go to Pat Robertson....

Author

atlntaexile

Date

2010-01-14T16:52:03-06:00

ID

155117

Comment

As I dislike that he is being totally unsympathetic to Jackson's plight, he makes an unorthodox point about how a lot of people feel about Jackson and it's leadership. He is a business owner trying to get more business. Capitalism. Supply and Demand. America. At least he offers a discount on his products/services instead of gouging the prices. (*Ahem* gas stations) Many people have used much more distasteful manners of advertising. Two Rivers restaurant is probably not even considered in the Canton city limits because it is on the west side of the interstate. He probably gets his service from Madison County itself.

Author

myndtheef

Date

2010-01-14T17:02:12-06:00

ID

155118

Comment

IT MAKES ME PASS MAD!!!!!!

Author

Queen601

Date

2010-01-14T17:02:17-06:00

ID

155119

Comment

Yep. His response included a jab at the government on the "federal" level. says that as long as we keep electing those types of leaders we'll be putting money into a sinking hole. coming from Madison county I could almost assume he meant "Black" officials or "Democratic" officials LOL.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2010-01-14T17:05:52-06:00

ID

155124

Comment

OK, instead of Two Rivers, y'all join us tonight after 8 p.m. at Hal & Mal's for a traveling Lounge. Pi(e) is closed tonight, of course.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-01-14T17:53:57-06:00

ID

155130

Comment

Jackson is the bomb and has so much promise. Only a fool wants to see the capital city suffer and fail. I'm surprised to see a Cantonian acting that way.

Author

Walt

Date

2010-01-14T18:30:09-06:00

ID

155147

Comment

Surprised? I'm not. With the city unable to provide the basic services to maintain commerce it's entirely reasonable that others would capitalize on that fact and offer their services to potential customers in the effected area. Mad? Yes, I'm mad. But I'm not mad at Mr. Stewart for pointing out the obvious. I'm mad that the system has been let crumble to the point that a cold snap could bring the entire system and city to it's knees. I think we were lucky it didn't really get cold (single digit temps or less) or that any other kind of weather event accompanied it. While this email is simply trying to draw customers to this man's restaurant and poking a little fun at Jackson's leadership, it also draws attention to the fact that no other community's system failed so completely as our's did. And that has to make businesses and residents question their reasoning for staying in a city with these kinds of problems. I know I am.

Author

WMartin

Date

2010-01-15T09:35:47-06:00

ID

155153

Comment

WMartin, the problem with your statement is that this issue isn't just about Jackson's leadership. It's about the state's leadership, and the fact that the city of Jackson can't decide to vote on our own bond issues for our needs without the damn state's approval. Like it or not, there are many people in the state who are indifferent about state at best, or simply want to see us fail at worst due to our black leadership and progressive bent. It's disgusting politics, but it's a result of our state's history. This week should be a wake-up call about our need to have more local control so we can solve our own problems. You simply can't blame the city's leadership when the state ties our hands every way they can.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-01-15T10:14:14-06:00

ID

155157

Comment

Exactly, in a sense, thats like blaming Guliani for 9-11. the fact of the matter is, for whatever reason, the rest of the state's lawmakers and those outsid of our city limits continuously disrespect us as the capital THIER capital. They are several issues that here that require lawmakers approval before WE can do anything about them. But when you have lawmakers who "want to see the capital moved form Jackson" others who are mad because the capital has predominately black leadership and a majority Black citizenry. clearly some folks think we dont DESERVE that respect and support. This could have happened anywhere in any city at any time. Mother Nature will do her due regardless how much you prepare. All you can hope for is the best. We could easily poke fun at the Stepford Wives air that exists up the highway. That superior aura just stinks up all of 55 between here and canton. ...And Lets ask Jeff Good is this is a way that legit business owners promote thier business?

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2010-01-15T10:35:05-06:00

ID

155158

Comment

True, Kaze. It's rather like the whole flooding issue. (Some) Two Lakes supporters did everything they could to keep other anti-flooding plans from being studied or considered, including getting then-Rep. Chip Pickering to tell the Corps not to study a levee plan past that developed in 1996. And now that their plan is off the table, and we're all faced with trying to pick up the pieces and update a levee plan, it's going to be Jackson's fault for not coming up with a "plan b" (the new PR meme, it seems). Meantime, they blocked all other options for years. It is confounding at best. But if there is anything clear this week, it is time to focus on getting the basics in place first. And, yes, that will cost money, and we have to fight not to be held hostage by special interests and legislators who don't live in Jackson.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-01-15T10:42:49-06:00

ID

155159

Comment

Its code words like your "leadership" (Johnson)the "federal" government (Obama) that are being used now. Id love to think its just a bad generalization but being that the state's capital, the state's biggest city, the state's most prosperous city is 78% African American and run by mostly African americans leads me to believe that perhaps a few folks think we're not "smart" enough to run government either. The damn pipes would have broke had the temps gotten down to the teens while Danks and Ditto were in office as well. Just timing.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2010-01-15T10:43:29-06:00

ID

155160

Comment

Or Melton. But he would have blamed Johnson, too. ;-) You are talking about a long-held problem, Kaze. It needs to be talked about. Thanks for going there.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-01-15T10:46:28-06:00

ID

155161

Comment

In more than one case in our cities, it has taken a crises like this to get "infra" in the spot light. Atlanta was no different. Remember the souths largest Sink Hole that swallowed the Marriot parking lot, one guest (talk about early check out), and several cars. Yep...19 "0" something water mains that simply burst and eroded all the support shale and soil. Same thing on Peachtree with a whole line of one story 1920's storefronts caved in and yep. The "Ancien" (that's french for old) regime water mains. Twice in same spot. And a natural gas main to boot....coulda been another spectacula Atlanta fire. Finally the state and feds saw our need (to put it mildly)......now all new mains are being laid (wait'll that starts guys). and a strong Black leadership of "Mama" Shirl Franklin and our new mayor then State Senator Kasim Reed made it happen. It'll be fine....it'll take time.....another one of mmany growing pains that you are going to have to go through....

Author

atlntaexile

Date

2010-01-15T10:49:22-06:00

ID

155166

Comment

Youre right. ATL is a good model. Jackson right now reminds me of ATL just before the 96 Olympics. Right after Bobby Brown who was then the biggest pop star on the planet decided to move his studio to Atlanta and LAFace records was created. The feeling is the same one of enevitable growth. 10 yrs afterward ATL exploded and is still doing so, with Black leadership and tourists flocking in by the busloads

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2010-01-15T11:07:35-06:00

ID

155167

Comment

True, atl. I think she is going to serve as a wake-up call and keep people focused. This week, it was great to see so many people (if not all) in the city focus on what mattered: helping each other, promoting our local businesses, putting nastiness aside. It's always crises that provide wake-up calls. I'm proud of Jackson this week, from the mayor to Grady Griffin to Kamikaze and all the unsung heroes crawling in the muck to try to fix the old water mains. Let's focus on basics going forward, and work together to make Jackson more liveable for all of our citizens.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-01-15T11:09:18-06:00

ID

155170

Comment

One of the things I've grown to admire about Johnson is his grace under pressure. I don't think I've ever seen a politician get the amount of crap thrown at him (some deserved; much not), at least on a local level. He *knows* that he's damned if he does and if he doesn't among certain people around here (which is different from the legitimate criticism when deserved), and he doesn't let them rattle him. I liked that he told the media this week that he couldn't promise that this wouldn't happen again. That was *honest*. During the campaign, John Horhn also came across as such a straight-shooter. Sometimes, I shake my head and wonder how he does it, or why he wants to. As a newspaper editor putting out information some people don't want out there, I know how it is to be constantly hounded but a small-but-loud contingent who want to talk about anything but the details of the issue at hand. We're seeing that toward Johnson this week. The good news is that people who act like that for long enough being transparent, and I think after four years of Melton, people just aren't buying the crap quite as easily. People have the common sense to know that the cold weather was unusual for here last week, and most know that no one wants to pay for infrastructure, or to stop flooding or anything else. We are faced with tough choices, and we need calm leaders to get us through, not hysteria and flame-throwing. I believe Jackson has matured enough in recent years (thanks, in no small part, to Mr. Melton, may be rest in peace) to know that solutions are never simple, and nothing gets solved because someone yells about it and promises the moon. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-01-15T11:17:32-06:00

ID

155172

Comment

you know what I really want to say to jokers like WMartin and the bozo up in Canton is this: WHERE IS YOUR COMPASSION???? There are citizens of your state who cannot go to WORK, who cannot USE THE BATHROOM, who have to boil water to wash dishes, and the best piece of crap you come up with is "nanny nanny boo boo" ??? Screw that. It's a problem that needs fixing but to be cruel, joking, or superior about it is like adding salt to a wound currently bleeding. VERY POOR TASTE!

Author

Izzy

Date

2010-01-15T11:25:56-06:00

ID

155173

Comment

Would anyone care to elaborate on the city-state relationship when it comes to Jackson's infrastructure? What I'm seeing in alot of these comments is that state legislators are largely responsible for the lack of progress on Jackson infrastructure projects. Is this true? Or is there plenty of blame to go around?

Author

rnpolen

Date

2010-01-15T11:26:18-06:00

ID

155174

Comment

To compare the failure of crumbling infrastructure to 9-11 is silly on it's face. I think this is more analogous to the levee situation in New Orleans before Katrina. Where city leaders knew what the problems were years before the disaster and did nothing except let it happen. Good leadership gets out in front of problems before they become catastrophes, I don't blame the current leaders so much as the all the one's who knew this could happen and were mute. If the state is tying our hands then our leaders should say that and call attention to it and blame that for styming their efforts to remedy these kinds of issues before they became the black eye this is for the city. They should bang that drum long and hard now and shame those state legislators into changing that. And yea, I'm venting my frustrations a bit. Btw... a little inside skinny on the Brookshires closings. Kroger has bought all the local Brookshires location according to my sources. They made the descision to close the one at Terry Rd and McDowell because of foundation problems with the building and the proximity to the Terry Rd Kroger store. Izzy, those people that can't use the water in their own home? I am one of those people.

Author

WMartin

Date

2010-01-15T11:27:37-06:00

ID

155175

Comment

I guess next you will smugly demonstrate your superiority to the poor souls in Haiti and offer gift coupons where mentioning the earthquake will give a discount on your business. Very nice.

Author

Izzy

Date

2010-01-15T11:27:56-06:00

ID

155176

Comment

Well, fair enough, WMartin, to vent frustration in a direction that leads to change - to get behind the right steps to address this. That I can support.

Author

Izzy

Date

2010-01-15T11:31:39-06:00

ID

155177

Comment

I'm venting, too! It's hard to see the city struggle and when others mock us it just feels bad.

Author

Izzy

Date

2010-01-15T11:32:10-06:00

ID

155178

Comment

WMartin, how times have you heard Johnson talk about the crumbling infrastructure here? Oh right, the corporate media doesn't seem to report that. But if you're willing to include all the "leaders" in the state who are responsible, then fine. Let's have *that* conversation. But I'd prefer we leave the bash-Johnson-for-cold-weather posts to the tablogs and the dude up in Canton trying to profiteer off our problems. Let's talk facts here.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-01-15T11:34:28-06:00

ID

155179

Comment

I'm venting, too! It's hard to see the city struggle and when others mock us it just feels bad Amen, Izzy. Especially people who don't want the state to pay for a damn thing in the city that houses state government, agencies, lobbyists and non-profits galore. The rest of the state ties our hands, and then beats us up when we can't get them untangled to fix our own damn problems. And that even getting into all the racism that has driven much of the tax base out to build places with better pipes, even as they contribute so little back into the city they feed off of. Infuriating.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-01-15T11:37:27-06:00

ID

155180

Comment

ooohhh Izzy that was better than mine about Patty Rob. Good stuff! From what ive seen in the local press the Johnson Admin has done quite well with this as have the "citizes" of Jackson. And by all means never let a good crises go to waste!

Author

atlntaexile

Date

2010-01-15T11:38:24-06:00

ID

155181

Comment

That's true, atl. You get the usual whining from people who won't sign their names to their posts. (With due respect; smile.)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-01-15T11:41:24-06:00

ID

155183

Comment

I think Haiti is a better comparison than 9-11, as it combines the aspects of poor infrastructure with a natural disaster. In our case the natural part was a string of very low temperatures that collided with poor infrastructure. But the superiority really bites. Is that Christian, to mock others who suffer? Yikes. I will not be eating at Two Rivers.

Author

Izzy

Date

2010-01-15T11:45:29-06:00

ID

155184

Comment

I have no reason to doubt that your description of how the state is holding up progress of our infrastructure upgrades is true. I will plead ignorance to that fact and alas I have learned something new today here once again. So if the Mayor and our city council have been trying and can't get anything done because of that then we really do need to have the conversation about how to change it.

Author

WMartin

Date

2010-01-15T11:46:25-06:00

ID

155185

Comment

Good post. I have been thinking about it and wondering how other cities with a similar situation address this. Do they use more state funds for infrastructure, do they charge a reduced rate (rather than nothing) for property taxes to state government buildings? I don't know much about city planning - there are others who post here who know a lot more.

Author

Izzy

Date

2010-01-15T11:52:48-06:00

ID

155186

Comment

let's remember what LT Guv Phil Bryant said in his speech at the King Edwared Opening (I know your wondering how I would know that, I watched the video links as if I had been there). He pledged support from the State for the Capital City. "When we go out into the country we want to be able to say I am from Jackson". The "one" that has a new water system infrastructure (my add). Let the first new Wa Wa Mains be on the new Two-Way Capital Street. go Dudes Go.........

Author

atlntaexile

Date

2010-01-15T12:06:21-06:00

ID

155188

Comment

[quote]I freakin' hate shopping at the Kroger on 55, it is overpacked and the service is terrible and it is only going to get worse, because they know they are the only grocery store in that part of Jackson! Sorry jokers![/quote] I take it you don't count the SuperWalMart and Kroger's on County Line as in "that part of Jackson".

Author

Ironghost

Date

2010-01-15T12:47:55-06:00

ID

155192

Comment

I take it you don't count the SuperWalMart and Kroger's on County Line as in "that part of Jackson". Can't speak for Baquan, but I don't consider those two at all - it's further to go and on County Line, which I avoid like the plague. Plus I can't stand shopping at Wal-Mart. I like the Kroger on 55 at odd hours of the evening and weekend, those are the only times it isn't packed. All I gotta say is thank God for McDade's, I love having one right in my neighborhood. Maybe he will consider putting one in S. Jackson, they really need it! Back on topic: I've never eaten at Two Rivers and sure won't now, because of this. Besides, who wants to drive to Canton, partake in "drink specials" and then try to get back to Jackson safely?

Author

andi

Date

2010-01-15T13:19:07-06:00

ID

155196

Comment

Grocery store reminder... Local is obviously better for us locals but when there isn't that option remember Kroger is a Union Shop. So, they may be a little higher priced than Super Wal-Mart but it's for good reason. Besides, who wants to drive to Canton, partake in "drink specials" and then try to get back to Jackson safely? What a good point, Andi! Especially so when you have to drive through Madison and Ridgeland.

Author

WMartin

Date

2010-01-15T13:44:32-06:00

ID

155201

Comment

I keep forgetting Madison County has some interesting ideas on law enforcement. My point was those two are close to NE Jackson, and viable choices for most people. There is a big gap, if you're south of County Line. If it weren't for those two McDade's you'd really be up the creek. Oh, and the Save a Lot.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2010-01-15T16:07:52-06:00

ID

155207

Comment

I'm always on the lookout for a good meat shop. I'll have to find Allen's. It is good, right? :)

Author

Ironghost

Date

2010-01-15T17:25:19-06:00

ID

155209

Comment

Would anyone care to elaborate on the city-state relationship when it comes to Jackson's infrastructure? What I'm seeing in alot of these comments is that state legislators are largely responsible for the lack of progress on Jackson infrastructure projects. Is this true? Or is there plenty of blame to go around? Though city leadership can be a factor, the state shoulders a share of the blame for some of the problems we have here. They use our services and yet, they don't want to contribute anything to our coffers to keep up with those services. 40% of property in Jackson belongs to the state. State senator John Horhn, in his platform for the mayor's race last year, wanted to get the state to make payments in lieu of taxes. I personally asked him at Peaches last year (Kaze might remember this) how much we could stand to gain from the state with PILOT money and he said it was around $14M. Think about what $14M extra dollars a year would do for Jackson.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-01-15T17:37:10-06:00

ID

155211

Comment

This entire week I've had to either go to a porta john while at work or use an unflushed urinal, drinking bottled water, and watch patients linger longer because of the water situation. One thing that struck me is that nobody complained about the water situation, employees and patients alike took things in stride although from an economic standpoint the impact has got to be close to what happened after Katrina. One statement last week struck me, and it was from somebody directly linked with Jackson was "what if the same thing happened to the sewage system?" People that work in Jackson, who cares where you live, the capitol city needs to function, it is the hub of the state, its where our beds are feathered. Support needs to be given.

Author

GLewis

Date

2010-01-15T19:39:13-06:00

ID

155216

Comment

Jackson is the Capital city. That isn't going to change. But, let's look at some facts and see what it all means before we decide to excoriate all who live in, work in or try to lead the city. Over the last 20 years, Jackson's tax base has not grown, which means, adjusted for inflation, it has dramatically dropped, about 50%. Also because it is the capital city, Jackson is the home to vast amounts of property exempt from paying property taxes. In fact, over 60% of ALL the property in the downtown business district escapes paying ANY taxes (churches, non-profits, federal, state, local govt, schools, universities and colleges, etc). In the last decade alone the number of state-owned parcels in Jackson has grown from around 800 to over 1800. While it is true that there are 25,000 people who work in downtown Jackson every day (many being govt employees), large numbers of those people DO NOT live, shop or play in Jackson. For sure, the city is still providing the basic services, fire, police, water, streets, traffic control, public safety, building and zoning controls, parks and recreation, zoos, and all kinds of other things that benefit ALL of the people who work, visit or play in Jackson, even if they don't live here. In other words, many of our workers and visitors pay NO taxes whatsoever to the city (property, sales, or otherwise) for the support of these necessary and essential services and institutions, from which they do derive some substantial public benefit. In short, today's challenge for Jackson is to provide more services, replace 100 year or infrastructure built at a time when Jackson did have the wealth and resources to maintain them, and to do this at a time where it has vastly fewer resources than it had just 20 years ago to address those same needs. So, you complainers out there, cut us some slack. If you think you can do better, or if you have helpful suggestions, then roll up your sleeves and come down to city hall, Downtown Partners or the Chamber offices and show us. We're all ears. Many of us in this city are dedicated to making it the BEST capital city in America, a place we can ALL call home and be proud of, even if you dont technically live in the city limits. We don't care who gets the credit, or whose ideas they are, we just want to get the end result that all Mississippians deserve and that most want for their capital city.

Author

Pops

Date

2010-01-16T11:35:28-06:00

ID

155217

Comment

Great commentary, Pops. I hope that young rapping dude working with you is learning something from you. Tell him I got a sung for him to pass on to his fans and contemporaries in the rap game. It's called "Pants on the Ground."

Author

Walt

Date

2010-01-16T11:54:46-06:00

ID

155219

Comment

Well said, Pops, as always. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-01-17T13:30:56-06:00