Jackson Free Press

A divide between Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. and some City Council members has become more apparent at recent meetings. This week, the division officially became a competition.

Monday, Ward 2 Councilman and attorney Chokwe Lumumba announced that he plans to run for mayor in 2013. Council president Frank Bluntson (Ward 4) told the JFP Monday that he has not officially announced his candidacy, yet, but he plans to run as well.

At council meetings, Johnson often speaks for several different city government departments, answering council members' questions about resolutions and claims. Bluntson told the JFP that departments and contractors can speak for themselves, and the mayor doesn't need to be involved in every detail.

"I just want people working together," Bluntson said. "All this micromanagement should go under the rug. These are grown, professional folks."

One of Bluntson's most common early campaign points has been his intention to make the City Council's president, the position he currently holds, a new position of vice mayor. He said former mayor Dale Danks appointed then-Council President Derwood Boyles vice mayor, and it helped the administration work more closely with the council.

"They worked together," Bluntson said. "They didn't wait until the last minute (and then) somebody puts some stuff on your desk and wants you to vote for it."

Bluntson, a retired youth-court counselor and youth detention-center director, rarely misses council meetings, if ever, so unlike some other council members, his complaints of not knowing about city issues until time to vote on them is not due to his lack of attendance.

Ward 5 Councilman Charles Tillman, who has not given an official endorsement for next year's mayoral race, reiterated Bluntson's point that Johnson does not discuss issues thoroughly enough with the council prior to meetings.

Tillman voted against moving forward on a deal with Siemens to audit the city's need for a new water system at the May 1 council meeting. He said he voted against it because even after more than three hours of discussion about the project at the meeting and the previous day's work session, he still had too many unanswered questions.

"The mayor and his staff are well briefed," Tillman said. "They could have called us together and briefed us beforehand."

Bluntson said the Johnson administration's business practices were a main reason he decided to run for mayor. He said the current administration is not business friendly and has driven potential investments, as well as old staples like Sears, out of the city. In some cases, he said, the companies have gone into the suburbs.

"I just can't understand it," Bluntson said. "People in (these) positions, they ought to be on their hands and knees begging folks to stay in Jackson."

Lumumba also cited differences in business policy as a key reason he is running for mayor.

"There is an opportunity now to bring a new vision to Jackson that will bring economic development and needed jobs to greater Jackson and not just downtown," Lumumba said in a press release. "Public funds must be used for the benefit of the majority of the residents of Jackson not for the private benefit of a few. That's why I'm running for mayor."

Lumumba, a longtime community and civil-rights activist, also said he wants to provide more transparency in government affairs and to fix Jackson's growing problems with aging roads and water lines. He said he will work closely with the citizens of Jackson to learn what is best for the city.

"The people of Jackson will participate in molding this campaign and my administration that creates a participatory democracy," Lumumba said. "As we say, the people must decide the future of Jackson. We can continue to limp along or take bold initiatives to bring economic justice and jobs to the people of this city."

Previous Comments

ID

167689

Comment

This is going to be interesting...I give Lumumba the best Vegas odds even though Johnson is the incumbent. I know that Ladd and company are secretly trying to sonstruct a resurrection machine to bring the real Frank back to reclaim his trhone. Also Abby would make a great vice mayor.

Author

Powerman

Date

2012-05-09T08:09:44-06:00

ID

167694

Comment

I would like to claim the rare honor of being among the first to anti-endorse Frank Bluntson for mayor. Given his history, he should be disqualified from serving in any public office, including City Council. But Bluntson in the mayor's office would be an outrage.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2012-05-09T13:40:44-06:00

ID

167703

Comment

Right. *We* want Melton back in office. I fully realize you're being sarcastic. However, considering that Bluntson defended everything he did, in some ways we would be getting Melton back in office.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2012-05-10T11:16:41-06:00

ID

167705

Comment

GOOOOD LAWWWWD. You guys better sponsor a mayoral debate and sell popcorn. Lots and lots of organic popcorn.

Author

jbreland

Date

2012-05-10T19:45:21-06:00

ID

167720

Comment

Old Abby may she rest in peace. She would have been a better mayor than Frank (either Frank, actually).

Author

redlion

Date

2012-05-11T13:41:52-06:00

ID

167721

Comment

I miss Abby, too. She was a gentle soul.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2012-05-11T13:51:58-06:00