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Officials Question Drug War's Effectiveness
Lee Vance, an assistant police chief with the Jackson Police Department, participated in a roundtable discussion at the Mississippi Black Leadership Summit, under way at the Jackson Convention Center.
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Jackson, a Twentysomething's Haven
By Kathleen M. MitchellLike a proud mother watching her child's first foray into the spotlight to glowing reviews, we at the JFP love to send links around the office of national stories realizing what we already know (that Jackson is pretty cool). Here are a couple stories circling our in-boxes this week:
The Atlantic Cities website published a story this morning called "Where Millenials Can Make it Now." The author, Nona Willis Aronowitz, traveled the country looking for the best cities for twentysomethings. She writes that she avoided "cities already deemed magnets for young, creative people—place like New Orleans, Austin, or Detroit." In the end she, chose nine cities, including Jackson. She puts Jackson into the category "Small Ponds for Big Fish" (Omaha, Neb., also makes this category), and describes our city thus:
"These are cities where creativity and entrepreneurship are on the rise, even as the rents remain reasonable. Chances are, small ponds have DIY art scenes: Omaha boasts a thriving start-up economy and the still-relevant force of Conor Oberst’s Saddle Creek Records while Jackson’s Fondren and Midtown neighborhoods have sparked a local art community. Yet even in the gentrified corners of town, the price points remain low by necessity, since most people aren’t making much money. And since there isn’t a shortage of space, local politicos are practically begging young people to take abandoned buildings and empty lots off their hands. Many of the twentysomethings I spoke with in these towns were on a first-name basis with the mayor or city council. One Jackson native was even running for office. These cities have a growing population of young people who would rather start something from the ground up and live cheaply than scramble anonymously in huge cities."
Aronowitz will be elaborating on her travels and the cities she chose over the next two weeks, so check back for more on Jackson.
Read her introductory story here: http://www.theatlanticcities.com/jobs-and-economy/2013/11/where-millennials-can-make-it-now/7454/
And keep an eye on the landing page for "Where Millenials Can Make It" for Jackson's full feature: http://www.theatlanticcities.com/special-report/where-millennials-can-make-it/
Another publication, the website Credit Donkey, recently named Jackson the fifth-best small city for starting over. The story comes from a study that took into account factors of population growth, income growth, unemployment rate and percentage of single adults. The idea is that these cities are great for mostly young, single folks looking for a new job and a new life. Here's how they described Jackson:
"If you’re single and hoping to start over in a new city, Jackson is one of our top locations for you, especially if you want some authentic Southern charm. With a strong music scene, particularly gospel and blues, Jackson is aptly nicknamed the "City with Soul." Literature lovers will want to visit the Eudora Welty House to explore the home and gardens of the Pulitzer Prize winner who wrote The Optimist’s Daughter. You can also visit the Medgar Evers Home Museum to learn about the civil rights activist’s contributions to our nation’s history."
See that story here: …
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Gil’s Bread for Life
Since August, Ridgeland residents have reaped the benefits of a frustrated investment banker's new passion.
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Vote Nov. 5 for McQuirter, Baker
In the contest for Hinds County District 2 supervisor, the Jackson Free Press endorses Darrel McQuirter—and for all the reasons we gave him our endorsement in the Democratic primary.
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Analysis: Power Up for Grabs in Hinds Election
When Hinds County voters go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 5, they will not simply select some guys to fill a pair of empty seats on the board of supervisors—they …
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Gaillet Fired as Public Works Director
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba has fired Public Works Director Dan Gaillet, effective immediately. The mayor confirmed Gaillet's termination Monday afternoon following a special meeting of the city council.
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Community Meetings
The Rankin County Democrats Monthly Breakfast is at 8:30 a.m. at Corner Bakery in Flowood.
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‘Cane Sugar’ and Bayous
New Orleans-based roots-rock band Honey Island Swamp Band calls its music “Bayou Americana.”
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Johanne d’ Arc: An Experiment in Improvisation
Laina Faul, who plays the lead role in “Johanne d’Arc,” and her cast mates used many improvisation techniques while in rehearsal to get into the story of Joan of Arc.
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Section 42 Housing Could Cost Counties Millions
A lawmaker has criticized a state Supreme Court decision that will force local governments across Mississippi to refund millions of dollars in property taxes to developers of affordable housing.
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Willie Heidelberg
Willie Heidelberg's courageousness is best exemplified by an event in 1970 when the University of Southern Mississippi defeated Ole Miss 30-14 in what stands to this day as one of …
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New...
By tommyburtonThis week's new releases, plus some thoughts on Paul McCartney's "New"...
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R.I.P. "Wee" Willie Heidelberg
By Tyler ClevelandIn 1970, the University of Southern Mississippi defeated Ole Miss 30-14 in what, to this day, stands as one of the biggest upsets in Mississippi history.
Southern Miss was thrashed the week before by San Diego State, and got torn to pieces the next week by Mississippi State, but managed to beat Archie Manning and the No. 4-ranked Rebels because of a secret weapon.
That weapon was "Wee" Willie Heidelberg, who died Tuesday in Jackson. The then-20-year-old junior was the only black player on either team. He touched the ball three times, and scored twice.
As Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum Director Rick Cleveland wrote:
Wee Willie was like a black dot on an ivory domino, the only black player on the field for either team that day. His performance foreshadowed sweeping changes in Deep South football. On this, the last day of Black History Month, it seems appropriate to ask the question: Was Heidelburg aware of the ramifications back then as a 20-year-old junior?
“Oh no,” Heidelburg says. “I knew that was a special victory. I knew we had done something big. But, as for me, I was just playing ball. I certainly wasn’t thinking about making history.”
Read more here.
Heidelberg eventually moved to Jackson and took a job coaching at Belhaven College. Many Jacksonians will remember him as the official scorekeeper for the high school basketball championships at "the big house."
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Community Events and Public Meetings
Blues by Starlight is Thursday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. in Highland Village.
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Baker, McQuirter Win Hinds Democratic Primary
The results are in: Democrats Darrel McQuirter and James "Lap" Baker make it into the November general election for Hinds County supervisor.
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Hinds Dem Runoff Today: McQuirter v. Robinson, Baker v. Maldonado
In the absence of serious Republican opposition in most corners of Hinds County, Democratic primary battles can often get nasty and divisive. The contest for the safely Democratic District 2 …