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Donna Ladd

Stories by Donna

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The Charms of Frank Melton

Mayor Frank Melton and I disagreed on many things, especially the way he ran the city and his style of "crime-fighting," but we met in the middle on a few things.

May 14 Mayoral Debate at JSU: Crisler v. Johnson

Send your questions now for the May 14 mayoral debate between Democratic nominees Councilman Marshand Crisler and former Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. at the Rose McCoy Auditorium on the Jackson State University campus. The one-hour debate starts at 7 p.m. and lasts one hour, followed by a 30-minute debate analysis moderated by Bishop Ronnie Crudup. Scott Simmons of 16 WAPT News, Eric Stringfellow of Tougaloo College and Donna Ladd of the Jackson Free Press will moderate the debate and ask questions of the candidates, who will be allowed to rebut. The debate will be simulcast on TV 23 (which reaches the local area without cable on Channel 23) and Comcast Channel 14; WAPT's digital channel 16-2, WJSU 88.5 FM, and on three Web sites: wapt.com, jacksonfreepress.com and jsums.edu.

Council Selects McLemore Interim Mayor, Angers Stokes

In an emergency meeting held at 4 p.m. today, the Jackson City Council voted 5-to-1 to appoint Ward 2 Councilman Leslie McLemore as interim mayor after Mayor Frank Melton succumbed to cardiac arrest just as the primary polls closed Tuesday night. Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes dissented, and Councilman Marshand Crisler was absent due to a campaign advertisement video shoot.

City Council Calls Special 4 p.m. Meeting to Select Interim Mayor

NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE

Verbatim:

UPDATED: Mayor Frank Melton ‘Still Alive,' Spokeswoman Says

UPDATE 12:10 P.M.: City spokeswoman Goldia Revies has released the following statement: "Mayor Frank E. Melton is still resting and will undergo tests today at St. Dominic Hospital. More information will be released as it becomes available. An emergency meeting of the City Council will be held at 4:00 p.m. in Council Chambers in order to ensure the efficient continuation of City business. The outpouring of prayers and support from concerned citizens in the interim is greatly appreciated."

Zata|3 Survey Results ‘Dead On'

Verbatim from Brad Chism of Zata|3:

Our public service project has concluded. As you can see below, our numbers were better than the Mason-Dixon poll and better than the Southern Research poll commissioned by the Clarion Ledger. We hope you'll think of Zata|3 the next time you need to gauge public opinion.

Returns: Harvey & Crisler Neck-and-Neck, Melton Third

With 85 percent of the vote in for the Jackson's mayoral race, Harvey Johnson and Marshand Crisler are tied with 27 percent, with Mayor Frank Melton in third place with 19 percent. Johnson and Crisler are separated by 180 votes.

BREAKING: Melton Rushed to St. Dominic; Sources Say ‘Unresponsive'

May 5, 2009—WAPT and other sources are reporting that Mayor Frank Melton is en route to St. Dominic in an ambulance. May be in cardiac arrest; "unresponsive," according to scanners and sources.

Open Thread: City Elections Today; Polls Open 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Your Voter Questions Answered

Johnson Says Data Prove Crime Dropped While Mayor

Verbatim from Harvey Johnson:

JACKSON, Miss. (May 4, 2009) – Harvey Johnson, Jr. will attend The SafeCity Take a Tasty Bite Out of Crime event this evening at Highland Village. Johnson is committed to making Jackson safe for all citizens as a part of his vision for the City and has said that creating a Crime Victims Unit will be a central element of his plan to reduce crime. Johnson offers the following data to support his record as being the only candidate to actually deliver on his promise to reduce crime in Jackson.

New Zata|3 Poll Shows Crisler and H. Johnson Tied

Full JFP Coverage of 2009 City Elections

JFP Endorsements

Told You: Ledger Doesn't Endorse; ‘Unendorses' Melton Four Years Late

Turns out we were right: The Clarion-Ledger today did not endorse a candidate for Jackson mayor in Tuesday's primary—but finally came out and said that it was wrong about Frank Melton four years ago. The editorial was careful to lay equal blame on "an overwhelming majority of Jackson voters"—oddly admitting that as the area's daily newspaper, it still didn't know better than the average citizen or have any information that could have have educated voters before electing a very unfortunate mayor. (They did have information right in their own archives, and in front of their noses, that they ignored in their rush to replace Johnson with Melton.) The editorial today:

Is this guy still a Northside Sun columnist?

SUBJECT: FACT: "SWINE FLU" CASUALTY IN USA WAS A VISITING MEXICAN...NOT USA CITIZEN!!!

I just just got this e-mail from someone who clearly is out to tar Mexicans with the swine flu; he also sent it to media around the country, sending a great message out about Mississippi, I might add. Here it is in its entirety:

Frank Melton is No Barack Obama

It's déjà vu all over again. Four years ago this week, I was writing a column calling for—no, begging—Jacksonians not to vote for Frank Melton as mayor in the Democratic primary.

Harvey Johnson Leads in New Mayoral Phone Survey

Verbatim from Brad Chism:

Friends, Below is a topline from the survey yesterday. Further below is a repeat of the explanations and qualifiers-these are important. From the blog traffic it appears that some don't read below the first paragraph. I had several calls and emails this morning looking for this ZataPulse wave, one from a healthy critic of this exercise. And yesterday, I ran into one of the candidates, who will remain nameless. He blew off some campaign steam with a few choice words about our survey work. And then he wanted to make sure we were surveying again last night and insisted that I add him to the email list!! Go figure.

2009 JFP Interview with Frank Melton, Part VI: Of Alcohol and Guns

In his office in February, Mayor Frank Melton talked about many issues with the Jackson Free Press. Here is an excerpt about his past abuse of alcohol and, if true, some surprising revelations about the guns he used to strap on himself to conduct nighttime "raids" in Jackson before the authorities told him to stop carrying weapons.

Demand the Facts, Ma'am

The only time Jackson drives me crazy is during local campaign cycles. To be fair, of course, it's not every Jacksonian who goes insane and starts pushing lies and conspiracy theories—it's pretty much the same people every time.

Submit Questions, Get Tickets for April 23 Mayoral Debate Now!

The Jackson Free Press is a sponsor of the April 23 debate featuring Democratic candidates for mayor of Jackson at the Jackson Convention Complex. You can watch a feed of the debate here at jacksonfreepress.com, as well as on the Web site of television sponsor, 16 WAPT, which will also broadcast the debate on Channel 16-2. It will begin at 7 p.m. Moderator Scott Simmons will use questions submitted by Jackson residents; please submit your questions below, or e-mail them to [e-mail missing]. We suggest open-ended rather than yes-or-no questions. Candidates and other sponsors will not see the questions chosen in advance of the debate.

Help with Chick Ball Cause: Shop for Clearance Easter "Chicks"!

A simple and cheap way to help the Chick Ball cause this year is to head to the closest discount store (Target, etc.), drugstore, craft sore or decoration outlet this weekend to shop the Easter clearance sales for anything with a "chick" on it. Then donate the booty to the Chick Ball committee. Remember, keep your receipt so you can deduct your donation!

Former DA: Harvey Johnson Can ‘Stop Stampede'

Former Hinds County District Attorney Faye Peterson confirmed this morning at a press conference that she will drop out of the mayoral race due to family concerns. She endorsed former Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr., one of the front runners in the race to unseat Mayor Frank Melton. "The city's finances are stampeding out of control, and I believe that other than myself, he's the only other candidate who has the experience to stop the stampede," she told the Jackson Free Press afterward. "I firmly believe he can take office and immediately make decisions based on his experience and judgment. He has the skills, and it needs to happen fast. There are huge problems because of mismanagement and bad fiscal decisions by the current administration. We don't have the time for guessing."

Good Friday ... Saturday ... Monday ...

Walking on the beach last week in my undisclosed vacation spot butting up to the Gulf of Mexico, I noticed two teen girls, say around age 17, walking toward Todd and me in string bikinis. Suddenly, one of them bent down and gently picked up a big piece of plastic lying on the beach and kept walking.

BREAKING: Mississippi Minority Contractors Sue Toyota

[Verbatim statement tonight:] Jackson, MS (March 31, 2009). Jackie Williams and Renna Fisher, African American principals of Fish & Fisher, a ten-year old construction company, have filed a civil racial discrimination and conspiracy action against Toyota of North America, the State of Mississippi Development Authority, and the Governor of the State of Mississippi, Haley Barbour, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, Western Division.

Melton: Tyrone Lewis to be New Chief

Keeping in mind that today is April Fool's, and anything could happen, Jackson Mayor Frank Melton told the Jackson Free Press earlier today that he is planning to announce at 2 p.m. today that he's replacing Malcolm McMillin—who has submitted his resignation—with Tyrone Lewis as the city's new police chief. "It's McMillin's choice," Melton said when reached by phone. "He's tired. He's done a great job."

The 2009 JFP Interview with Frank Melton, Part V: To the DEA?

In this long excerpt of JFP editor Donna Ladd's interview with Frank Melton in February, he talks about why he's running for re-election, dying with dignity, the City Council, his two chiefs–and being hired by the Obama administration, or the U.S. Marshals, if he loses the race. (Note: much of this transcript does not appear in the print edition.)

The 2009 JFP Interview with Frank Melton, Part IV: The Kids

In his long Feb. 26 interview with Jackson Free Press editor Donna Ladd in his City Hall office, Mayor Frank Melton turned the topic to the young men in his life.

Fortune and CNN Money Stories on Farish and ‘Indie Jackson'

Enjoy. And pass the word.

Word went around last week that JFP friend Amy Haimerl had done a piece about Jackson, and Farish Street, for Fortune Small Business. The story is now published here on CNN Money where Amy is an editor. Also see her "Indie Jackson" piece about the St. Paddy's parade and the Sweet Potato Queens. (And noticed she used JFP/Lounge List photographer Kip Caven's photo on it!)

Sunshine Week, Part II: How to Demand More Open Gov't

1. Government workers who ask "why do you want to see THAT?" (It's none of their business.)

This is the week when media love to talk about "sunshine" and openness in government. (See my earlier blog post about how The Clarion-Ledger mangled their sunshine story earlier this week, a point we've been trying to make to The Ledger for a while now.) But all that talk does little good if citizens don't have the information you need to help us fight these battles on your behalf. I urge you all to spend some time with the Society of Professional Journalists' Freedom of Information section of this site. This is one of the resources we journalists use to stay on top on both rights, and potential pitfalls, in open government. I've fought these battles for years, and when the public isn't paying attention, we see the same problems in state after state:

Wait a Minute!?! We tweeted a federal trial in February!?!

Follow the JFP's tweets here.

The Society of Professional Journalists is making a big deal out of a Wichita reporter for "pioneering" the use Twitter to cover a federal trial in March. Not so fast. We-the-JFP brought Twittering to the federal trial Mayor Frank Melton here in Jackson in February, attracting followers from around the country and causing a scramble among other courtroom media to get a-tweetin'. Just sayin'. ;-)

St. Paddy's Weekend in Jacktown Starts Right Here and Now

It's here! It's the week we all party like the Irish. The JFP has gathered all the details in one place for you; pick up the huge print edition this week for schedules and a discount map (p. 18). Click here for a list of St. Paddy's events (and add your own). Check out for the city's most complete events calendar (and add your own). Post your pictures and your plans at LoungeList.com (and, I hear, win prizes). Head over to the Fly Blog for all sorts of fun Irish tips, trivia and DIY ideas. And, of course, to the parade Saturday! Catch lots of beads! Stimulate your locally owned Jackson businesses! Be safe! Have fun! Post pictures!

The 2009 JFP Interview with Frank Melton, Part III: Money & Taxes

In Part III of his Feb. 26 interview with JFP editor Donna Ladd, Frank talks about his finances, including his property-tax troubles.

Melton to Democratic Party: ‘Go to Hell' (Updated)

Mayor Frank Melton told the Jackson Free Press Tuesday that the Jackson Municipal Executive Democratic Committee can "go to hell" for disqualifying him to re-run as a Democrat in the May primaries. "As far as I'm concerned, that Democratic Committee can go to hell, and you can quote me on that," he said in a phone interview soon after the committee voted unanimously to reject him from the ballot.

Gross: Why Obama Should Ignore the Dow

Newsweek business columnist Daniel Gross explains why investor ire at Obama about the stock market's ups and downs is misplaced. And he advises Obama to ignore the naysayers and stay focused:

Is The Clarion-Ledger Intentionally Misleading on Open-Records Law?

Or, is it woeful ignorance of the law? Either way, the corporate newspaper isn't making government transparency any better as Sunshine Week opens to publish articles such as this one today by Chris Joyner that misreads, intentionally or not, both the letter and intent of Freedom of Information laws. Joyner states:

Emmerich's Clarksdale Paper Now Twice a Week

Clarksdate Press-Register publisher Ed Nichols announced this week that the newspaper, owned by Wyatt Emmerich of Jackson, will only publish two days a week going forward. Subscribers will get a mailed newspaper on Wednesday and Friday, and a shopper on Wednesdays. Obituaries and breaking news will be on the paper's Web site. Emmerich also owns the Northside Sun, which serves Northeast Jackson and parts of the adjoining suburbs, and Sun Magazine, a free monthly tabloid magazine largely featuring party pictures and wedding announcements.

The 2009 JFP Interview with Frank Melton, Part II: Being Mayor

2009 JFP Interview, Part I

For Noella

When Kimberly Griffin told me that the Fondren Theatre Workshop had agreed to direct "The Vagina Monologues" in Jackson, I was happily stunned. Nearly seven years ago when we started the Jackson Free Press, I couldn't have imagined that in the not-far-off future, we would present Eve Ensler's empowering, funny, tragic and eye-opening ode to womanhood.

2009 JFP Interview with Frank Melton, Part I: Health

The day after Mayor Frank Melton got a reprieve from prison due to a hung jury, he held a brief press conference in City Hall to talk about his plans for the city. Soon afterward, Jackson Free Press editor Donna Ladd approached Melton for a new set of JFP interviews and then sat down with him for nearly three hours in his mayoral office on Thursday. Following is part 1 of that interview.

Gannett Stock Plunges 24% Today; Down to $2.22 Share

The Gannett Corp., owner of The Clarion-Ledger, a newspaper in Mississippi, took a dramatic hit in the stock market today as its stock price plummeted 24 percent in one day, closing at $2.22 a share, the Gannett Blog reports:

Melton Came Within Two Votes of Conviction

Within days of coming within two votes of going to federal prison, Mayor Frank Melton revealed to the Jackson Free Press last Thursday for the first time publicly that he plans to run for re-election. "Yes," he replied when asked in his City Hall office if he is running for a second term. "I really want to stay close to the people," he added. Melton said that it took him three years to figure out what the job of mayor is about and that he's learned from his mistakes.

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AP: Obama DOJ Releases Secret Bush Terror Memo

The Associated Press is reporting:

Krugman: Obama's Budget Is 'Very, Very Good'

Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman writes in his New York Times column that President Obama is taking the country in the right direction in his new budget:

Baggy pants are out! Men's butts are back!

At least so sez The New York Times. Can't say I mind this trend.

BREAKING: Mayor Frank Melton Running for Re-election

In an interview in City Hall today, Mayor Frank Melton broke the news to the Jackson Free Press that he is going to run for re-election as mayor of Jackson. "Yes," he replied when asked if he is running for a second term.

'Live & Learn': Melton Faces the Effects of His Actions

On the first day I showed up to cover the federal trial of Mayor Frank Melton and his ex-bodyguard Michael Recio in downtown Jackson, the mayor sidled up to me with that teasing look he often gets when he sees me face-to-face.

Transcript of Frank Melton Remarks in Short Press Conference Wednesday

JACKSON CITY HALL—Mayor Frank Melton called a press conference for 10 a.m. today to address plans for Maple Street Apartments, "new and ongoing economic development iniatives" and "continued/long-term focus on serving the City of Jackson." His remarks lasted about three minutes, and he left without answering any questions from the media. A full transcript of his remarks follows.

Did Bobby Jindal Really Just Diss Monitoring for Volcanoes!?

In his response to President Obama's speech, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal just criticized the president's stimulus package for providing funding for monitoring volcanoes. On the surface, that's sounds like an important job. Is his Jindal's fruit-fly moment (i.e. Palin and McCain's vicious attacks on fruit-fly research, which can help cure autism). And other than that, what did you think of Obama's speech?

FBI Recovers 48 Kids in 29-City Prostitution Sting, Including Jackson

Feb. 23, 2009—The FBI announced today that it has recovered 48 children in Operation Cross Country III, which targeted child-prostitution networks in 29 cities, including Jackson. Per an FBI statement today:

I Call Him 'Mr. Melton'

Well, it's kinda good to finally see a mea culpa column of sorts from David Hampton on his paper's endorsement of Frank Melton, or "Frank" as he and others over there call him. And that endorsement went on for many years, not just in the paper the weekend before the 2005 primary, remember. Per Hampton today:

Jury Complaint: ‘Curious and Serious' Development

- Listen to MC law professor Matt Steffey on today's events

Jury Deliberations Resume 9 a.m. Saturday

Kenya Hudson's Melton-Recio trial photos here.