Jackson Free Press

The Jackson Free Press' readership is diverse in many ways, and we get criticized from the left and right for editorial stances and endorsements. Our editorial board believes in groups of people with varying opinions getting together to debate and discuss and, thus, find a better solution due to diversity of opinion.

For that reason, we rather like the idea of a City Council with varying viewpoints, much as we like the fact that President Obama has shown a willingness to compromise and reach out to the business community.

To that end, we wish we could feel more comfortable with the thought of well-funded Republican Quentin Whitwell taking over Jeff Weill's Council seat in the special election on Feb. 15. We wish we believed he would partake in a healthy dialogue with other Council members and vote independently from what his funders might want, should the situation merit it. We'd like to think he would think for himself more than Weill, who seemed to treat the seat as a Republican stepping stone to higher office, and take often-not-well-considered positions just because they were against the mayor.

But Whitwell has a huge warning sign hanging over his head: his own resume. He is a tried-and-true corporate-conservative lobbyist—with clients from United Healthcare to U.S. Smokeless Tobacco to Ashbritt (Google it with "Katrina" and "Barbour"). His firm has lobbied the state Legislature on behalf of a national charter-school group (we understand discussing them, but lobbying is something else) and for power companies such as Entergy that want customers to pay now for possible nuclear and coal plant construction in the future.

We're also concerned about his not-subtle ties with "Two Lakes" supporters; the spokesman for that project, Dallas Quinn, is his campaign manager; vocal "Two Lakes" supporter Ben Allen is his treasurer. The Ward 1 council member should look carefully at all flood-control options—and look out for constituents who are concerned about higher property taxes to pay for expensive development, not to mention the use of eminent domain to take property. This is a complicated issue that deserves more than a lobbyist's approach to it.

Besides, we are dismayed to see Whitwell marching out the same tired Morgan-Quitno "dangerous city" rhetoric of failed local candidates to try to scare people into voting for him. This is a very bad omen.

As for opponent Patricia Ice: We know her as a person, an advocate for the less fortunate and an immigrants-rights attorney. She is a smart family woman, and she cares about the residents of Jackson. We believe she will think independently, but with an ear toward the rights of people over corporations. We're glad she decided to run, and we believe she would represent the people of Ward 1, and the entire city, better than her opponent.

Please turn out and vote for Ice on Feb. 15.

Previous Commentsshow

I am very disappointed in the decision to endorse Ms. Ice. I think the writer's own comments about wanting a diversity of opinions on the council are in direct opposition with Ms. Ice's background and history. Mr. Whitwell, for all his negative baggage would represent a diverse opinion from the current council. Ms. Ice is a protege of Mr. Lumumba and has not demonstrated in any way that she would act independently from him. If voters elect her next week they will be electing him to represent both wards 1 and 2. The council needs some sort of balance to make it think and discuss its actions to ensure they are in the best interests of all of the citizens of Jackson.

onewhoknows

Feb 10 2011

"onewhoknows," first, we invite you to use your real name here. We don't allow personal attacks, and it's a great way to come across credible and as someone who believes that people should be willing to own their opinions. Secondly, we say right in the editorial why Whitwell gives us great pause: his lobbyist resume. The fact, alone, that he lobbied for power companies to be able to charge ratepayers in advance for plants they may or may not build is enough on its own. Also, we will never endorse a candidate who uses those Morgan-Quitno (sold now to CQ Press) "dangerous" rankings to sensationalize Jackson crime and scare people into voting for him/her. We didn't endorse Wilson Carroll when he used them in the DA's race; we didn't endorse Barbour when he used them; we didn't endorse Marshand Crisler when one of his PACs (led, in part, by Wilson Carroll and funded largely by Two Lakes lobby) used them; and we can't endorse Whitwell for using them. It is downright irresponsible and makes us wonder how much candidates or PACs actually care about the city when they climb on that misleading bandwagon. In this pairing, as a result, Patricia Ice came out as far the preferably candidate of the two. That might not have been the case for us had she had a different opponent.

DonnaLadd

Feb 10 2011

Brad, I appreciate you sharing your personal opinion, but it doesn't change anything for us. We know Patricia Ice as a person, and she is a good one. She fights every single day for the poor and needy. She is funny, charming and very intelligent. (She took my writing classes, so I know her more intimately than I do many people.) We did not say there is anything wrong with being a lobbyist, per se. The question is: Who did/do you lobby for? Lobbying on behalf on power companies to charge ratepayers now for plants that may or may not happen is a big deal to us and many ratepayers, regardless of party. So is being tied so closely to Two Lakes folks: many people in North Jackson are worried about being asked to pay for that project, as well as what would happen should the lakefront property make the property taxes on their family home/land skyrocket. Others are worried about the government taking their land by eminent domain to make it happen. Others are worried about all the years that project would be tied up in lawsuits (probably ultimately failing), thus delaying more flood control for perhaps decades. And, Brad, there are many, many Jacksonians and local business owners who are offended by candidates who hype national "dangerous" rankings (done in unscientific ways to sell books) to scare people into voting for them. This is simply irresponsible, and we were very disappointed to see Mr. Whitwell play that game. We are quite sure that Ms. Ice would not do any of these things. As for you trying to make her an extension of Chokwe Lumumba (who has become the new Kenny Stokes for many of y'all), that is really tired and juvenile and insulting to her. What next: Anonymous flyers in North Jacksonians' yards with a caricature of the two of them? Can't wait for the weekend to see what nastiness is cooked up.

DonnaLadd

Feb 11 2011

I have just been told that she was recruited to run by Mr. Lumumba. As we say in the newsroom, Brad, people hide behind passives. So someone told you that? Who were they, and what dog do they have in the hunt? (Questions I ask our reporters all the time.) If you can't answer those questions, I will assume that is political rumor. For the record, I don't know whether Mr. Lumumba encouraged Ice to run or not. I don't see the relevance. We endorsed Ice because what we know about her, and did not endorse Whitwell because of what we know about him from his own websites.

DonnaLadd

Feb 11 2011

Re Chokwe: I don't agree with everything he says or believes, and I sure don't like the separatist tone, especially of his past associations. But what gets me is that some of the very same people that you can find in the Sovereignty Commission files (or their daddies, etc.) supporting segregation are the ones so vicious toward Chokwe. Really, pot. Ain't you or your a little black yourself. Race-baiting is race-baiting, and Chokwe is the favorite new target of people who like to race-bait in or near our city. And they can't see their own hypocrisy. I'll also say this about Chokwe: He stood against Melton's B.S. back when a member of Whitwell's campaign team was on City Council and was on the mayor's speed dial (I was, too, for a minute, but for different reasons). And, meantime, they ignore the issues with Frank Bluntson, past and present.

DonnaLadd

Feb 15 2011

As for Ice, this race was an uphill climb for her, and everyone knows it. I'm just thrilled to see a woman get in there and campaign, and set good examples for other women, regardless of how the race turns out. Cheers to her.

DonnaLadd

Feb 15 2011

Tom, there were people trying to make her into a white separatist? You mean in other ways than linking her to Chokwe? I don't pay much attention to those "circles" anymore; it's like looking at car wrecks, which I don't do, either. And you're right: Patricia has a more diverse selection of people around her, and who adore her, than most anybody I know. Separatism, my ass. This people still sing the same old scare tactics of the White Citizens Council. Pretty much using the exact same words. I'm so glad she got into the race, and hope she will consider doing it again, but earlier on and with more organization. You know as well as I do that it would haven taken a miracle for her to win this race, but that's why I'm so glad she got out there and starting meeting people. As for Whitwell, we'll see. I've heard good things about him from people I trust, but his resume still gives me pause. It's not like he'll have the ability on the Jackson City Council to put a lot of right-wing ideology in place. Hopefully, he will participate in a more intelligent way on the Council than Weill did (who usually just disagreed with whatever the mayor said). At his better point, Allen was able to do good work on behalf of Jackson. Perhaps Whitwell will do the same, and leave the divisiveness behind. We'll see.

DonnaLadd

Feb 16 2011

Democracy ain't easy. And sometimes you don't get the result you might like. The simple reality is that it was as much a forgone conclusion that a white person would be elected to this council post, as it is that a black person will be elected in the other wards where there is a substantial one-race Black majority. All politics are local and most people vote for somebody they know. Hint, hint: most White folks have more white folk friends; most Black folks have more black folk friends. There is nothing sinister about that. It is simply a reality. While I don't personally know Whitwell, I'm told by mutual friends I trust that he is a decent and intelligent man. As Donna Ladd has said many times, Ben Allen was able to do good work on behalf of Jackson. I believe that Whitwell will do the same. At the end of the day, we have diversity on the council. Will we have divisiveness? Most certainly. But, that is the stuff that democracy is made of. And, it's not always divisiveness about race or political party. Politics is much messier than that. It can be about school board members, zoning ordinances, water & sewer rates, economic development, taxes, etc. While race and party politics might play some role, I just don't see it as the major factors in dealing the whole host of problems facing our city/city council today. At least with respect to racial diversity, the system is working. You couldn't say that 50 years ago in many parts of this country.

FriendsofJackson

Feb 16 2011

Friends, I agree with much of what you say. When I say "divisiveness," I don't mean everyone should agree. Far from it. But some of Weill's attacks just weren't all that fact-based, as we showed. It just felt so *political*. I, too, hope Whitwell will do better. It's hard for me to trust any candidate who trots out those Morgan-Quitno "dangerous" rankings because it indicates either that they are playing political gamesmanship that hurts the city (and its business climate) or they are surrounded by the wrong people. I hope he works out to be a good councilman, and we will be completely fair to him. We sure don't have anything against him personally. If he is real, and not beholden to some of the forces that helped him get elected (which, sadly, includes Ben Allen and his blind embrace of Two Lakes these days), he may be very good. We'll hope.

DonnaLadd

Feb 16 2011

My guess is that, being from Ward 1, Mr. Whitwell is very likely a Two Lakes embracer. That, by itself, does not make him a one-issue shill, a dishonest person or even incorrect in his position. Life and politics are much more complicated than that. And why is it "sad" that Ben Allen helped him get elected? Everyone knows your very vocal position on Two Lakes. It would be difficult for most observers to think you don't have a bias on that issue. While YOU may not see that, I suspect the average JFP reader would think so. That's just my personal opinion and not a condemnation. But, I hope you don't make two-lakes or Ben Allen support as the litmus test issues for all politicians, like the pro-lifers do on their position. I will not judge Mr. Whitwell on single-issue politics but take a look at his entire range of positions and his actual work/activities on the issues before the council. What is important is how Mr. Whitwell will act and perform as a representative of his ward and of the city. The fact the he is a Republican or even has some outlandish personal political beliefs that are way out there in left (or right) field might be interesting to some, but should in no way be used as the measurement of his effectiveness as a Council Member.

FriendsofJackson

Feb 16 2011

Friends, of course, we have a bias on Two Lakes. An informed bias. We don't just believe everything its supporters say; we do our own homework. Do you remember Duany saying that it wouldn't happen in his lifetime? (And, I'm pretty sure you have a bias of your own: a different kind of more direct bias, no? Don't worry: I won't tell the public who you are, but you really shouldn't be accusing others of "bias" on Two Lakes without revealing your own.) Your Ward 1 statement is curious. We've heard from many people in Ward 1 concerned about their property taxes, eminent domain and the fact that Two Lakes would be tied up in court so long, thus delaying flood protections even longer. Ward 1 can appear pretty homogenous, but it's an insult to say everyone there agrees with you. And no, being in support of Two Lakes is not a litmus test. However, having its PR guy as your campaign manager raises an eyebrow or two. What is a litmus test for our endorsements are candidates who use the Morgan-Quitno "most dangerous" rankings in their campaign materials for reasons already stated. No one who seriously cares about this city should touch those rankings (which even the FBI warns against using). It's hard to take anyone seriously who does that, or allows their "people" to do it.

DonnaLadd

Feb 16 2011

P.S. We were "biased" against Melton, too, once we did our homework. Research-based bias is not a bad thing.

DonnaLadd

Feb 16 2011

I waited and watched this discussion take on a life of its own. And then I watched the electon results. I am a ward 1 resident. I am concerned about our quality of life, our safety and so forth - not just in Ward 1 but in every part of the city. Despite the naysayers, this is a vibrant city with great potential and great people. Ward 1 is not monolithic, and certainly not monochromatic. It appears the discussion indicates everyone who lives in Ward 1 is wealthy and white. Not even close. It is probably the most well integrated section of the city from race to financial status to age demographics. Our new council person now has the responsibility to every one of those demographic groups to make decisions on what is best for the city, not just for the residents of this ward. I personally disagreed with the bulk of his political views as I did with both of his predecessors. But I felt, and I voted, that he would provide us with the best voice on the council as they did because they abandoned partisan politics in the Council chambers and became the councilc person for his consituents. Our new councilman needs to follow a similar path and put aside the GOP mantle for the Jackson one. For Jackson to grow its government will need to embrace everybody who lives here. All Jacksonians will need to have some empathy for their fellow residents. Otherwise this city withers on the vine.

onewhoknows

Feb 16 2011

Nice post, onewhoknows.

DonnaLadd

Feb 16 2011