Othor Cain, the public-relations chairman for the Inaugural Gala Celebration Committee, said an official inauguration did not take place after Mayor Tony Yarber's swearing in back in April because he needed to hit the ground running. Photo by Trip Burns.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Two months after electing Tony Yarber as their newest mayor, the citizens of Jackson will have an opportunity to celebrate the moment.
"Our Moment, Our Time" is the theme of Yarber's black-tie inaugural gala, scheduled for Saturday, June 21, at the Jackson Convention Complex at 7 p.m.
Othor Cain, the public-relations chairman for the Inaugural Gala Celebration Committee, said an official inauguration did not take place after Yarber's swearing in back in April because he needed to hit the ground running.
"He had to go, go, go," said Cain, who is also the spokesman for the Hinds County Sheriff's Office and hosts a radio show.
Yarber filled the vacant seat after Mayor Chokwe Lumumba passed away in late February. A former south Jackson councilman, Yarber won the election over a packed field of candidates that included two council colleagues, a state legislator, a former mayor and Lumumba's son, Chokwe Antar Lumumba.
Cain stressed that private citizens and corporate sponsors—not city tax dollars—are paying for the inaugural gala. The gala fundraising committee, which Tameka Garrett of Garrett Enterprises chairs, is also separate from Yarber's mayoral fundraising committee, Cain said.
Donors to inaugural committees are often private, but it's unclear if there are any public disclosures the inaugural committees will have to make. City officials drew criticism in April when WJTV reported that the city spent approximately $2,000 on printing copies of Lumumba's obituary for his memorial service, which was held at the Jackson Convention Complex.
Yarber's inaugural ball is free to attend, and organizers ask that people not bring children. Food stations will feature local fare from Mangia Bene and Chef Nick Wallace. Gospel, jazz and blues artists, including Willie Clayton, Dexter Allen, Tonya Ware and Ben Cone, will perform.
Cain said the event is an opportunity for regular folks, a theme of Yarber's election bid, to celebrate Yarber's vision.
"It's an opportunity for everyday people to come together and celebrate what's good in Jackson," Cain said.
Comments
Meredith 9 years, 10 months ago
Nice its open to the public.
kingkeylion 9 years, 10 months ago
Actually, the bulk of the criticism I observed was over the fact that a news media outlet thought it was necessary to point out that the city spent upwards of $2000 to help memorialize a deceased mayor.
Slick 9 years, 10 months ago
It seems like a complete lack of taste to have an inaugural ball when you are serving out the term of a man who died in office. I have never heard of any one fulfilling the term of an elected official who passed away having an inaugural ball. This is the height of bad taste and shows a complete lack of class!!
Turtleread 9 years, 10 months ago
Not really Slick, although 6 months would have been better. A proper period of mourning is six months. Check your Emily Post book.
k 9 years, 10 months ago
In response to Slick, Seriously Slick your gonna have the audacity to go down that dirty road? First, since you don't seem to keep up with politics Yarber had great respect and admiration for the late great Chokwe as they use to partner together in various projects. And I for one witnessed both men coming together for a rally we had for another angel gone to soon name Trayvon Martin. And second, we live in Jackson, Ms not New York, the convention center was built for many activities and big events in Jackson. Please don't be disrespectful to both families from the comment you made.
JLucas 9 years, 10 months ago
Mayor Yarber was elected by the people, not simply appointed to be a fill-in or interim. As such, he deserves an opportunity to celebrate his inauguration with his friends and supporters just like every other mayor. This belated gala is not a show of disrespect to the late Mayor Lumumba; it is acknowledging that life goes on, and this city has to move on.
donnaladd 9 years, 10 months ago
My understanding is that this is an event to pay off campaign debts. It's free to the public, but donors are giving money. If that is the case, it's one way to raise money after the fact (perhaps meaning that your donor base wasn't as apparent before the election).
The list of donors sure better be public. The public has the right to know before and after the election.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID