News

[Speed] Change Brings About Progress

I have been executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) for just over one year. A colleague had to remind me of that. Quite frankly, I have been having the time of my life pursuing opportunities for Mississippi, and the passage of time just escaped me. While this has been an exciting year for me, it has also been a year of change at MDA. The agency has been going step-by-step through the intricate tasks of assessing, planning, and implementing changes in the way we approach economic and community development.

Whitlow: ‘Run Like the Dickens'

March 2, 2005 Jackson city politics is starting to become a new outlet of expression for former television news executives and directors. Frank Melton—the former owner of WLBT Channel 3 and then its "Bottom Line" man—has announced his candidacy for mayor (a number of times) on the Democratic ticket. Now former WAPT Channel 16 Sports Director Rick Whitlow, 51, is putting in his bid for mayor as well.

Poll: Bush 'Out of Step' with U.S. Needs

The latest New York Times/CBS News Poll finds that Americans are increasingly deciding that President Bush's policies are out of step with the needs of the country:

Crystal Wise & Precious Martin

It was 1995. Young Crystal Wise was at a party for freshmen University of Mississippi Law students at her friend's home. Precious Martin, a second-year Ole Miss Law student, was among the party guests. When the two met, Martin said he knew that Wise would his wife. "I hate to say love at first sight, because I think love is something that should be nurtured over time," he said. "but she was definitely 'wife' material."

Dean Does Dixie

Casey Parks interviews Howard Dean, Charles Evers and the head of the Jackson State University Young Democrats about race politics in the South.

The House That Time Forgot

ht>Featured Story: Read the story behind Bobbie Johnson's story—that of a woman Frank Melton put in the media spotlight two weeks ago. by Ayana Taylor

Robert Arender

If you've been to Martin's Lounge more than twice, chances are you know Robert Arender. He's been a regular fixture behind the bar there for nearly 10 years now. For about eight of those 10, he's been bringing some of the best independent bands in America and elsewhere to the tiny stage in the front of the bar, slowly putting Jackson on the indie circuit.

Melton Receives Labor Endorsements

Mayor Announces, Melton Pounces

February 16, 2005 On Monday, Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. announced what everyone already knows—that he will be on the ballot for mayor in May. Two hours later, challenger Frank Melton made another in a string of announcements—this time focusing on one of the more unfortunate citizens of Jackson: a woman who lives in a rundown house. Melton admitted later that the announcement was timed to coincide with the mayor's.

David Bowen Admonishes Black Mississippians

In a bizarre column today in The Clarion-Ledger, former Congressman David Bowen, a Democrat, first says that blacks and whites in Mississippi need a "new" dialogue, then proceeds to tell black Mississippians what they should not say in this dialogue. No similar advice for whites was in evidence, however. Here are some excerpts ...

Kay Franz

There are surprises, and then there are surprises that mean that you're living life the way you're supposed to: full-on and engaged in the world around you.

Ridgeland Democratic Committee Forming

[Statement] A meeting was held on Saturday to establish a Ridgeland Municipal Democratic Executive Committee so that anyone who wants to run as a Democrat for city office may do so. Temporary officers were elected to ensure this for the coming election. Ten Ridgeland Democrats attended, but we need more to be involved in order to establish a Democratic presence in Ridgeland.

Jeff Good

Jeff Good, 41, came to Jackson from Salt Lake City his senior year in high school, graduated from Murrah in 1981 and Millsaps in 1986, then sold computer systems for the old National Cash Register company. In the early '90s, frustrated after the company changed hands, Good was on the phone with his best friend from high school, then a chef in San Francisco. They decided to go into business together.

HRC to Use Obadele Incident to Further Understanding

JACKSON – The firestorm that surrounded Richard Barrett's attempt to bring Edgar Ray Killen to the State Fair, and the one that has now swirled around Councilman Kenneth Stokes' Stokes' invitation to Imari Obadele to speak at a Black History Program at Jackson City Hall, highlight something very significant. Although race relations in Jackson, and in Mississippi as a whole, have improved, the fact is we still have a lot of work to do. The emotional outpourings generated by these events clearly demonstrate the depth of hurt, pain and division that still exists. Our hearts go out to the Skinner family, because you have had to endure this very painful episode.

Mississippi CofCC: Pearl Shouldn't Become ‘Little Jackson'

From the Mississippi CofCC Web site: "Some of our committee members met with several Mississippi House of Representative members to discuss upcoming issues that the legislature will face in 2005. One key issue of concern was the Mississippi flag.

[The JFP Interview] Deuce McAllister

Standing in line at the Reservoir Winn-Dixie's grand opening Saturday, Jan. 29, you could feel the excitement surging throughout the store from not only customers but store employees as well. After all, Deuce was in the house. Men, women and children waited with glee to offer shirts, jerseys, hats and lots of footballs for New Orleans running back Dulymus "Deuce" McAllister to sign.

[Lott] The Course of Freedom

As we watch the aftermath of the elections in Iraq, let's remember that while our own American culture remains young, our course of freedom is not. More than 225 years is a long time for any single form of government to last, but because our Founding Fathers had such a strong vision of liberty, our free republic not only has endured, it has become freedom's highest beacon, its standard of measure, freedom's unquestioned leader. Iraqis have just begun their course of freedom, and all free peoples should support their effort.

Europe vs. America

A provocative piece by Tony Judt in the New York Review of Books right now.

Transcript of ‘State of the Union' Address

George W. Bush last night:

Carlos Smith

The strength and tone of his voice reminds you of the late and great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Knowing Carlos Smith's passion and dedication to helping others succeed, you can literally see Dr. King's dream at work.

The Inaugural Purpose

It was a great honor for me as chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies to emcee the presidential inauguration and to help plan it. Since Washington's day, inaugural ceremonies have not been just about the President, but more so a celebration of a new chapter in American democracy.

Bob Moses

Robert P. Moses, who turned 70 Sunday, is usually surrounded by young people, especially Lanier students and college-age mentors for the Algebra Project, which he runs from his classroom in Midtown.

America's Courage

This is my first weekly newspaper column of the new Congress, and although I've been busy helping to plan President Bush's inaugural ceremonies and dealing with cabinet confirmations in the Senate, I feel it's important to use this column to address the most important issue today facing Mississippians, Americans and the entire world - the War on Terror, specifically our efforts to create a free and democratic Iraq.

Domini Bradford

"You have to try today's soup before you leave," said Domini Bradford, 37. So I did. The soup in the small bowl she placed in front of me was thick and creamy orange. "It's butternut squash bisque," she explained. I was amazed to learn that it contained a cashew base along with such striking ingredients as curry, and most importantly, that it was devoid of oil and dairy. Oddly, it reminded me of home.

Tsunami Benefit Raises $4,311

The JFP-Collective-Rock 93.9 benefit last night at the Red Room at Hal & Mal's has raised $4,311.50 for disaster relief! Hal & Mal's donated 10 percent of sales for the evening. The checks will be mailed to Oxfam late Friday. The event was a raging success. Thanks to the musicians, volunteers, local businesses, artists and all the Jacksonians, young and older, who turned out to make the event such a success. The music was hot, and the community spirit was even hotter. Most of all, we thank JFP intern Swetha Regunathan who spearheaded the event and designer Jakob Clark who made such amazing music come together on one stage for such an important cause in less than a week. Cheers to them, and to Jackson.

Taylor Jane Hodges

Taylor Jane Hodges, 9, will introduce you to her goldfish: Bob, Billy, Katy and Samantha. She will perform tricks for you on her swing-set. She will tell you every last thing she got for Christmas. In many ways, Taylor is almost indistinguishable from any other 9-year-old girl, but in just as many ways she is not.

Dent May

Watching a Rockwells show will bust open any preconceived notions you might have had about four college students, home for the holidays, getting together to play with their old band. In Jackson, The Rockwells' popularity is audible, if not deafening.

Vanessa Morales Butler

Living most of her life in Venezuela, Vanessa Butler as a little girl had dreams of becoming a flamenco dancer. "I studied at a dancing academy as a child, and here I have performed with the Mississippi Hispanic International Folklore Group," says Butler, 26. "I have always wanted to be a dancer, but as you can tell it is just a dream." The group stopped dancing last year due to busy schedules. "It is hard to try to keep it all together," she says.

Happy Holidays from the Jackson Free Press

As we head into the holidays, please accept our sincere good wishes for the holiday. We hope everyone can relax with family and friends, and reflect on what is most meaningful in your lives. It's been a wonderful year, and we will return after the new year with many new surprises and even Version 3.0 of the JFP Web site early in the year. The office is officially closed between Christmas and New Year's Eve, and I will be out of the office, but if you need to reach someone about a story next week, please call Casey Parks at 362-6121, ext. 2, or Stephen Barnette and/or Jakob Clark about advertising and design issues at ext. 1, and leave a message so we can get back to you promptly.

[Breaking] $100,000 Reward Offered in Civil Rights Murders

You can still sign the JFP petition calling for the speedy prosecution of the murderers of Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner. To date, we have collected nearly 700 names.

Ellington