Ellington

What are we Jacksonians prepared to do? Will you stand proud and stay, or cower and leave?

Our city is slowly descending into chaos, and we all played a hand in it. In a world where a man can brutally attack a 101-year-old woman, Jackson is in danger of becoming famous for all the wrong reasons. I've politely kept myself out of the often-heated discussions about Mayor Melton and his troubles. Indeed, folks are rightfully passionate about the issue, and we should expect some form of dialogue to continue. The JFP blog has become ground zero for that dialogue.

Amidst the more negative comments about the mayor, sometimes a supporter emerges. Usually, that supporter shuts up when asked for some hard facts. In a logical society where illogical things happen, facts bring sanity to an argument—except, perhaps when Jackson's mayor is involved.

Fact: The usual Melton supporter rarely, if ever, has any facts to back up his/her arguments. There is nothing that can be pin-pointed as an achievement of this administration. Fact: Crime has risen during the mayor's tenure. Fact: The mayor's wealth and privilege have probably allowed him to beat jail. In a perfect world, these facts would make a mayor's approval rating sink lower than George Bush's.

Those calling for the mayor's ouster, however, underestimate his support in the streets. Melton has become a modern-day Robin Hood to some citizens. The 'hood hasn't seen this much love from any other local official besides Kenny Stokes. Fact is, the detractors' truths don't mean diddly-poo to some folks. These folks aren't loonies who've drunk the Kool-aid; they're folks who, regardless of the mayor's shenanigans, stand behind him. All the facts in the world can't change that. They have a different opinion, but it doesn't make them crazy.

Fact: The mayor will not resign. He'd die first. He's going to serve out the remainder of his term, and chances are, he will win in the next election.

Fact: Our issues won't magically disappear if the mayor resigns. We're spending way too much time concentrating on one man's actions, and not enough on Jackson. Whether the mayor sits in jail or in his office on the third floor of City Hall, Jackson will continue its decline if we don't do something.

Jackson is too large a city filled with too many good, able-minded people to allow any singular entity a chance to let the whole city crumble. That's a fact.

We must find solutions that can move us forward—even if the mayor stays in office. If he won't budge, are you going to fold your tents, crawl in a corner and cry? Or will you stand up and say: "Look! We don't like you and don't support you. But we're not going to let our city die." That's where both supporters and opponents of the mayor need to be.

Again, what are we as Jacksonians prepared to do?

And that' the truth ... sho-nuff.

Previous Comments

ID

74695

Comment

All, this is a very interesting Kaze column this week. Also, I just got an angry phone call from a gentleman telling me I'm "disgraceful" and "unpatriotic" for running a column by a man who calls himself "Kamikaze" who killed so many people in World War II. I told him that the gentleman I publish did not fight in World War II. After he thought about that for a second, he started yelling at me about being disgraceful, etc. I hung up.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-03-22T09:43:33-06:00

ID

74696

Comment

was it an old man?

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-03-22T09:45:23-06:00

ID

74697

Comment

K, this column rocked. It comes down to the facts - sometimes you cannot argue with reality. All the good intentions or media showdowns aside, the bottom line is we need to work together and see clearly what the city needs.

Author

Izzy

Date

2007-03-22T09:57:39-06:00

ID

74698

Comment

Good piece, Kaze. One point that you make is the amount of support the Mayor has in the streets (e.g., outside of the white enclaves in Fondren, Belhaven and NE Jackson). My job takes me to areas of Virden Addition, Georgetown, Subdivision #2, and other parts of West Jackson, where I meet brothers who fall on both sides of the Melton issue. Most of them I've met admit to being disappointed that the Mayor seems to show off too much by trying to be the Police Chief, and that the actual Chief isn't as strong as what's really needed. But his supporters always fall back on the tired line "but at least he's TRYING! He ain't scared to get out here and see what's really going on with crime." I even let old Meltonite talk my ear off in support of the mayor on one occasion out of respect for her age. But when you ask them specifically what has he done to curb crime, they can't really form a coherent argument, and in that sense they mirror the same illogical rationales expressed by suburbanites and other peoples outside of Jackson who still support Meltdown. I'm also not convinced that Meltdown is re-electable. I think a qualified candidate willing to advance a real and defined strategy for combating crime beyond just soundbites and finger-pointing, with an emphasis on economic development to bring more jobs, increasing the salary and numbers of police, working with the D.A. and the county to develop more jail space and streamline the judicial backlog, they could be a real contender for the post.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-03-22T11:07:25-06:00

ID

74699

Comment

Excellent, Kaze. The mayor sho is a puzzling individual. One moment I despise him. The next I feel sympathy and compassion for him. And the next I wish he would do something worthwhile since Jackson foolishly elected him, and it's taking too long to get rid of him. Lord knows, he's funnier than any mayor or comedian anywhere. He's the man who thinks he can, but can't. He probably desires to excel and succeed but doesn't know how. Frankly, I even like Frank as a person I could shoot the bull with. His personality is the reason people like him. I can see the love for others in him. I just don't want him as a leader. He's likely to screw up something.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-03-22T11:37:56-06:00

ID

74700

Comment

Yeah, he's definitely charasmatic, and he still carries a lot of influence with the people who have admired him since his "Bottom Line" days. But the guy's nuttier than a fruitcake and I think more and more Jacksonians of all persuasions are having to admit they made a terrible mistake in handing him the reigns of power. The scariest thing about Misdemeanor is his tendency to lie as easily as he breathes. But as long as the local Illuminati see fit to insulate him from his actions, I don't see him moderating his actions.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-03-22T12:01:58-06:00

ID

74701

Comment

My favorite thing about Melton is shooting the bull with him. We had lots of fun when we were hanging out. Sometime I'll share some of the ride-along tapes, but not yet. Knowing the possibilities of his charisma is part of what makes him so tragic. It's such a waste of potential that he's stuck in this juvenile world of cops-and-robbers. I agree: Melton is not a folk hero to all of black Jackson. They don't all think alike, any more than the rest of us.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-03-22T13:09:49-06:00

ID

74702

Comment

I've never met a con who wasn't a like-able s.o.b.

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2007-03-22T13:35:45-06:00

ID

74703

Comment

Good piece Kaze. Was talking to a lawyer at the gym last night some of you would know. he made a good point. Said there has been a bias against Jackson in the legislature for years. When Melton took office with the support of the NJAM'ers and their ilk, that was the best chance Jackson had had for awhile to get support and help from the legislature and he pretty much squandered it. This lawyer lives in Jackson, has always supported it, and is sick of Melton. He said he had a golden opportunity and completely blew it.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-03-22T13:39:03-06:00

ID

74704

Comment

wow. interesting.

Author

Izzy

Date

2007-03-22T15:10:06-06:00

ID

74705

Comment

..."I'm also not convinced that Meltdown is re-electable. I think a qualified candidate willing to advance a real and defined strategy for combating crime beyond just soundbites..."could be a real contender for the post." In a perfect world yes! you're right. But seeing as how politics these days has turned into more of a popularity contest..you'd be hard-pressed right now to find someone colorful enough to draw attention away from the mayor. The only way I see the mayor getting challenged is if his opponents can find a similar colorful personality. charismatic and charming to run. Hem doesnt have the support of ALL of the African American populace but its way more than some folks give him credit. Fact is, if the election was held again today, I believe he'd still win handily. You can't beat Robin Hood, we've all seen the movie. And despite his failings some folks feel that's what he is. Again...I revert to Kenny Stokes. He will NEVER be beaten in an election in Ward 3 as long as he wants the job or until he beats George Smith. FACT!

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-03-22T15:11:42-06:00

ID

74706

Comment

Kaze, you and I share a jaded view of politics, and I've always maintained that winning elections is more about appealing to people's emotions and fears than respecting their intellect. B.J. Clinton is a master at making that emotional connection, and Melton managed to do that two years ago. The difference in 2009, should Melton survive his legal hurdles and decide to run again, is that he will be an incumbent with a record in office to defend. And while I don't doubt that he will have a strong support base, I really don't think it will be enough to overcome a serious challenger if they can exploit the lack of accomplishments in Melton's record when compared to his promise, while also making the emotional connection to the voters. I don't think it will be as tough to do as you think, because Melton fatigue will be pretty high in 2 years and I believe there will be a strong desire for new leadership, even stronger than there was 2 years ago. Maybe a smart challenger should kick off their campaign with a variation on a tried and true campaign slogan: "IS JACKSON BETTER OFF NOW THAN IT WAS FOUR YEARS AGO?"

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-03-22T15:41:39-06:00

ID

74707

Comment

..."Maybe a smart challenger should kick off their campaign with a variation on a tried and true campaign slogan: "IS JACKSON BETTER OFF NOW THAN IT WAS FOUR YEARS AGO?".." WOW! Good slogan effective in its bluntness and in its simplicity. But hey, G.W. Bush got re-elected with similar status in my opinion. His popularity was based solely on being a war president. But NOW, he's lost that popularity. Unless the mayor does that, I really don't see a viable challenger that will be able to survive a s--tstorm like a Jackson mayoral election.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-03-22T15:58:27-06:00

ID

74708

Comment

“If he won’t budge, are you going to fold your tents, crawl in a corner and cry? Or will you stand up and say: “Look! We don’t like you and don’t support you.” And while you suggest the rest of us to stand up and say rather we like or don’t like Melton, what say you Kamikaze, because I cannot recall your having given your unabashed opinion of Melton in any of your columns regarding Melton, including this column. If the people in the hood consider what Melton and Kenny Stokes shows as being “love” then they are crazy! Lastly, for the record I don’t like Melton or support him! “Jackson is too large a city filled with too many good, able-minded people” Unfortunately “good able-mined people” are an ever dwindling minority in Jackson.

Author

K RHODES

Date

2007-03-24T15:57:03-06:00

ID

74709

Comment

This article highlights a divide in Jackson that is not easy to gauge. The impression i get from the general JFP coverage of the Melton event is that he would not get re-elected in two years (though i'm sure that has never been explicitly stated). Kamikaze states that indeed the Mayor will get re-elected based on current public opinion. i personally do not know but a handful of people who think Melton is working for Jackson. Occasionally in places like banks and gas stations i have the opportunity to talk to Melton supporters in passing regarding his performance and i have noticed fewer of them defending as strong as the did two years ago. Nevertheless, i fully realize how disconnected i am from the Jackson which exists West of Gallatin and South of Pascagoula St....that is alot of Jackson. The truth might be that he is electable again. Whether this is the case or not, for at least the next two years (or until he gets a felony conviction), we are going to have to find a way to work with the Mayor to accomplish progression for Jackson. The problem is that the Mayor is not a consensus builder. He is not interested in hearing from anyone who disagrees with him or assimilating thier thoughts into his plan for the city. He was elected on a narrow, undefined platform by an exasperated community focused on crime. He now runs our city as he sees fit as if by divine mandate when, based on his election platform, most voters were only aware of how he would act regarding law enforcement. The Mayor must be willing to respect his opposition and the opposition must be willing to repect the Mayor. The opposition cannot, however, allow the Mayor to ignore the rule of the law and the rights of our citizens. If the Mayor will not honor our laws then those who would speak on behalf of our citizens (this included the citizens themselves) must continue undermining his efforts to advance his will illegally...even if that means being put in time out. As far as projecting on the number of hard-core supporters...their were only dozens able to show up to protest his incarceration....

Author

daniel johnson

Date

2007-03-24T18:28:02-06:00

ID

74710

Comment

..."The truth might be that he is electable again. Whether this is the case or not, for at least the next two years (or until he gets a felony conviction), we are going to have to find a way to work with the Mayor to accomplish progression for Jackson" ...My point exactly Daniel. We can speculate, hope, or dream that the Mayor will "go away" til the cows come home but as it stands, he's in office, so what are we going to do? Cliff, you can stop asking for those achievements. go back and read my column again please. You're not gonna get any. just know that despite that you are dealing with a person who is still popular with a lot of voters. You're only preaching to the choir. K Rhodes you may not undertand the hood dynamic too much (and thats just my assumption please forgive me if Im wrong). In the impoverished, you are dealing with a demo that has long since felt like the law didnt have THEIR best interest at hand. Thus some lack real respect for the police. they've been told that they're either going to be dead or in jail and that society at large doesnt care. They've dealt for years with mayors and council people who have never personally visited their hood. they feel as if they have no access to city hall and they are doomed to be given the runaround when trying to contact their represenative. In Stokes primarily and now with the mayor, they feel like they have access. Folks in Ward 3 know that if they have a problem they can reach Stokes. He will personally go out of his way to help a constituent. And that goes a long way. That's why he will NEVER be defeated. Despite all his controversies, there has never been an official who has had the balls to spend a night in Christian Brotherhood and see and feel the conditions that some of those folks live under. You have no idea what kind of love that garnered him. To some of those folks that is a gesture that cannot be topped and no amount of mayoral mishaps will erase that act. I hope you are kind of seeing my point. The personable official will always get more love than the more technical one. Even if the latter is more qualified.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-03-25T19:11:48-06:00

ID

74711

Comment

..."If the people in the hood consider what Melton and Kenny Stokes shows as being “love” then they are crazy!" Read that column again K. Be careful aboutcalling folks "crazy" Are they "crazy" or is it you just don't agree with their support of the mayor? I doube we have that many certifiable lunatics walking and working in and around jackson. Remember, one thing Ive learned is that when debating you have to always consider the other side's thoughts. Above I tried to give you reasons for that mindset.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-03-25T19:16:54-06:00

ID

74712

Comment

Kaze, your post at 8:11 pm says in a nutshell WHY people in Jackson will elect a person like Frank Melton and continue to support him when he breaks rules and even breaks laws. Though I have some major problems with Melton, I respect where you are coming from on this one.

Author

Izzy

Date

2007-03-26T10:18:49-06:00

ID

74713

Comment

Kamikaze, I understand hood dynamics. My debate is that Stokes constituents should call to question his remaining their council person for nearly twenty years while arguably their ward has consistently remained the worst in Jackson. Sure Stokes can be credited with being accessible to his constituents, but that accessibility should lose its value after twenty years of not yielding results and change. As for Melton, I would question how many of those families have had any communication with him or experienced any changes in their circumstances since the sleepovers. And I'd guess Melton slept easy knowing he'd return to his compound in Eastover and at least a million in the bank. These people should realize that “love” alone is not enough!

Author

K RHODES

Date

2007-03-26T14:29:56-06:00

ID

74714

Comment

Indeed Kaze, it amazing what the appearance and power of love can generate. Frank knows about love, and he knows poor folks feel no one loves them. Kenny knows too how important it is to love and show up in the hood when called. This reminds me of the promises people in my neighborhood kept getting repeatedly by politicans when I was a child. We were mostly shocked and indeed overwhelmed that anyone even showed up to talk to us. We always voted for the one who showed up although few if any ever kept a promise. I don't question whether Kenny and Frank have love for the hood. However it's important that everyone knows what love is so as to not be fooled by the appearance of love. I wouldn't be surprised if Frank got elected again too. It won't be a landslide anymore, because a whole lotta _______ have jumped ship, just as Three Six Maffia proclaimed. Since Frank is such a slow learner (except for that St. Dominick matter), he might still completely screw up before his term ends.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-03-26T16:41:29-06:00

ID

74715

Comment

Also, I just got an angry phone call from a gentleman telling me I'm "disgraceful" and "unpatriotic" for running a column by a man who calls himself "Kamikaze" who killed so many people in World War II this is probably one reason the man called up and I can't say I blame him. Its true Kamikaze doesn't carry the same exact meaning it did two generations ago but I wouldn't ridicule someone for thinking the way that man did after reading this. For them, it meant terror and death. The Kidd There is an African-American veteran from the attack that works there as a tour guide still and I'm pretty sure he would've taken offense to Kaze's name. I'm not criticizing Kaze here, just saying that there is a reason some people think this way about his name. I'm sure if I was a local artist who called myself Death's Head or Schutzstaffel and my column was published in a local paper someone Jewish would call up raising hell about it.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-15T08:52:59-06:00

ID

74716

Comment

Point taken..but for the record it means "divine wind". you can look that up if you wish.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-04-15T19:53:05-06:00