Jackson Free Press

Ward 2 Councilman Chokwe Lumumba and Ward 4 Councilman Frank Bluntson have both put their name in the running to become the mayor of Jackson after next year's election. At the forefront of both early campaigns is a desire to change the city's business practices.

Monday, Bluntson accused Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr.'s current administration of not being business friendly and driving new, prospective investments, as well as old staples like Sears, out of the city. In some cases, he said, those businesses are moving 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 said a difference in business policy is 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 long-time community and civil-rights activist, also said he wants to provide more transparency in government affairs and 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."

Ward 5 Councilman Charles 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. After a press conference the next day, he said he voted against it because he still had too many unanswered questions, even after more than three hours of discussion about the project at the meeting and at the previous day's work session. The Johnson administration's lack of transparency and inclusion, Tillman said, hurts the City Council as well as the citizens.

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

One of Bluntson's most common early campaign points is his intention to have the City Council president--the position he holds--also serve as 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) somebody puts some stuff on your desk and wants you to vote for it."

Johnson challenged the councilmen's criticism of his business policies.

"Under my administration, the city of Jackson has been lauded time and time again by national organizations such as CNN, Kiplinger's, Forbes and Businessweek, to name a few, for our robust economic climate and (being) a strong, business-friendly city," Johnson said in a statement.

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

The mayor often speaks for several different government departments, answering the council member's questions about resolutions and claims. Bluntson said the departments and contractors can speak for themselves; 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."

Tillman reiterated Bluntson's point that the Johnson does not discuss issues thoroughly enough with the council prior to meetings.

Previous Commentsshow

Both candidates are correct..the current administration has not done enough to bring in mew business nor has it done enough to keep existing businesses here. In fairness to the mayor though I have to say that the city council has always been comprised of several persons who acted as if they are mini mayors of their own ward, rather then a body who's primary function is to control spending, legislate, and support the administration. The fact that two current members are vying for mayor and rumors that a third is entering is proof of that.

Powerman

May 9 2012

I find it strange that Bluntson, who supported Melton's King Edward demolition plans and his windmill-tilting against A-1 Pallets (and other local businesses), is now complaining because he thinks "[the mayor and his staff] ought to be on their hands and knees begging folks to stay in Jackson." Make up your mind, man.

Tom Head

May 9 2012

"Bluntson, a retired youth-court counselor and youth detention-center director...." should jog his mind about the reasons he was forced to leave those positions. It is not by accident that he is serving-up then Mayor, Dale Danks in such a positive fashion. After all, wasn't it Danks who designed the maneuver for Bluntson to leave the position as Youth Center Detention Director rather than face criminal charges? The history is written about Bluntson and the officers who were involved in these acts of sexual abuse against young girls who for the most part had bahavioral and emotional issues secondary to home-lives of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. HOW SOOOOOOOOON WE FORGET; HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK THAT THE VOTERS OF THIS CITY WILL WANT ANY OF THE HISTORIES OF BLUNTSON OR LUMUMBA TO SERVE AS MAYOR OF THIS CITY. I sincerely hope that Johnson will run again. He was able to pull this city back after the ruin of the previous administration. This community fell for fast talking, blatant lying and a person without the simple knowledge of how government runs. By the way, did Bluntson sign the petition initiated by Mayor Johnson to keep Sears at Metrocenter? Also, did Bluntson not keep up with the correspondence between the office of the Mayor and Administrators from their corporate headquarters? Let's stop talking crap and face the real problem with businesses leaving. These folks know that where ever they go - far too many Jacksonians will follow. Just go to North Park or some of the newer shops in areas contigeous to Jackson. To keep businesses in Jackson, they MUST be supported by people who live in Jackson and that includes all RACES. Instead of complaing and accusing Johnson of not being "business friendly", the mission should be one of education and information: For Starters: All tax dollars that are PAID at stores in Jackson, remain in Jackson. This tax money helps to pay for our schools, police dept, fire, water and streets. This list alone should be reason enough for Jacksonians who want this city to survive to shop in the City limits. If you can't find it in Jackson - You probably don't need it! PS. Thanks to all of the businesses who have remained in Jackson and a special thanks to all of the MANY new businesses who have set up shop within the City limits. 2nd Ps. VICE-MAYOR....WTF?

justjess

May 9 2012

Cntinued: 3rd Ps. MANY THANKS TO THE RIGHT - THINKING, PROGRESSIVE PEOPLE OF JACKSON WHO UNDERSTAND AND KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TAX DOLLAR. YOU ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE AIDING JOHNSON IN HIS FIGHT TO KEEP JACKSON THRIVING. It is not by accident that Mayor Hawkins of Madison had enough of our tax dollars to build a brick wall. EACH ONE, PLEASE, TEACH ONE!

justjess

May 9 2012

Where are the candidates for these two vacant council seats once these two lose?

Iwrite Poetry

May 9 2012

I'm really hoping some of Lumumba's proteges run for those seats; he has mentored some amazing minds over the years, and their voices would be an asset to the City Council regardless of the outcome of the mayoral race.

Tom Head

May 9 2012

Here is Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr.'s full response to Bluntson and Lumumba's comments: "Under my administration, the city of Jackson has been lauded time and time again by national organizations such as CNN, Kiplinger's, Forbes and Businessweek, to name a few, for our robust economic climate and (being) a strong, business-friendly city. In fact, hundreds of millions of dollars in building permits for new construction have been issued all across the city of Jackson since my return to office. We continue to issue business licenses constantly and have averaged close to 1,000 business licenses a year, every year. We support our small businesses through our nationally-recognized Small Business and Storefront Improvement grant programs. We've issued more than $500,000 to small businesses in the last few years, which has helped stabilize our small businesses, helped them retain jobs and, in some cases, helped them expand. And these small businesses are located throughout the city. There is rhetoric, and then there is a clear record." This response came after we were supposed to be at press, so we were only able to add a small piece of it to the printed story.

Jacob Fuller

May 9 2012

The people of Jackson need to stand up and speak: We Want Archie! We Want Archie! We Want Archie! David, please do not let us down.

jbreland

May 10 2012

Archie Who?

Jacob Fuller

May 11 2012

He's saying David Archie. (Master Breland rarely says anything serious, so take it for what it's worth.)

Todd Stauffer

May 11 2012

You should know, in this state, when someone asks "Archie Who?", the answer is "Archie you know damn well who." And it's not David Archie. And when someone says "We Want Archie!", they're usually saying they want to go back to the 60s when Ole Miss could compete in the SEC in football. But I don't think Archie Manning has ever lived in Jackson, so I guess he can't be mayor, unfortunately.

Jacob Fuller

May 11 2012

Ah, sorry. Didn't realize I'd stepped into a Black Bears call-and-response of some kind. Color me an Aggie. (Although -- at the risk of this becoming an Abbott-and-Costello routine, he *was* talking about David Archie.)

Todd Stauffer 743

May 11 2012

First, I don't know who these Black Bears are you speak of. Second, I knew he couldn't be talking about The Archie. It actually started with LSU fans making buttons that said "Archie Who?" and Ole Miss fans responding with "Archie you know damn well who" buttons and stickers. LSU started it up again 10 years ago with "Eli Who?" bumper stickers.

Jacob Fuller

May 11 2012

Gotta brush up on your SEC history this summer, Aggie.

Jacob Fuller

May 11 2012

What would be the point of that? It's an all-new SEC now that A&M will be taking it to the next level.

Todd Stauffer

May 11 2012

BAHAHAHA, the next level? 6 straight National Titles and two teams in the NC game this year. I fail to see how the conference can go up from here. I guess adding a couple more 6-6, 7-5 teams will bring in more bowl money. But I think this is a discussion for SEC message board.

Jacob Fuller

May 11 2012

Bringing A&M into any given scenario raises the overall level of it, by definition. That having been said, you're correct that this is not the thread for this discussion. :)

Todd Stauffer

May 11 2012

David Archie may well make a decent supervisor when Doug Anderson retires or leaves office; however, he is not what we need for mayor. Jacob I have to agree the SEC does not need A & M or anyone else to take it any higher. To answer I write Poetry look for Bo Brown to edge out Jackie Norris in Bluntson's ward. Ward 2 will be wide open.....I am hearing that Clarence Bolls will reload for another run; however, there are a number of viable candidates in that ward.

Powerman

May 11 2012

Don't live in Jackson BUT justjess is dead on with his comments. Every dime spent with Mayor Mary and the other areas increases their tax coffers and keeps them rolling in well paved streets (and brick walls). If Jacksonians quit running out to Madison and Rankin to shop for everything then they could build brick wall interchanges too! Just kidding, but y'all get my drift. Demand excellence and it will happen. Just keep up with relentless pressure on the elected officials. That's what I do in my community....worry the hell out of 'em until things get fixed.

redlion

May 11 2012

To Jacob Fuller Mayor Johnson's full response should be printed please! And his PR people need to get cranked up and disseminate the facts about all the good and great things he has done this term and continues to do. No sleeping at the wheel allowed.

redlion

May 11 2012

redlion, we will definitely print the mayor's full response in the paper, and he will get ample time/space to talk about his side of things, as will all the candidates -- if they will take it.

DonnaLadd

May 11 2012