Jackson Jambalaya

The bill to create a public utility district for Jackson has created no small amount of controversy.  Lost in all the screaming over incompetence and "colonialism" is public utility districts are quite common nationwide as many major cities divorced their public utilities so they could operate semi-independently.  Heaven forbid Jackson should use something proven to work elsewhere.  Got to protect those sticky fingers and sweetheart deals, right.  

BLACKBERRY FARM— A portion of Newton’s Law of Motion states, “An object in motion remains in motion at a constant speed, and in a straight line, unless acted on by an unbalanced force.” I am not sure if Blackberry Farm has ever been described as an unbalanced force, but for the past 25 years, that is what it has been for me.

The Senate approved a bill that will transfer control of Jackson's water and sewer systems from the city to a new public utility district governed by a nine-member board of directors.  The bill passed on a 34-15 vote that broke down along party and racial lines.  

Back in 2014, Mississippi politicos underestimated Tea Party zealot State Sen. Chris McDaniel and it almost resulted in one of the state’s most shocking political upsets. At the outset, most thought McDaniel was taking on then-incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran as an exercise in building name recognition for a future race.

 The House is debating HB #1020 right now.  Watch below. 

 The legislature continues to tighten the handcuffs on Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba as the Senate passed a bill that will abolish vetoes of no votes.  

 Check out this little passage from the Clarion-Ledger's newest cub reporter, Wicker Perlis, in a story about the Jackson garbage fight: 

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement and mug shots.

The Mississippi State Department of Health attempted to slap the EPA with a dose of reality as it responded to the agency's investigation of the NAACP's discrimination complaint. The NAACP accused Mississippi of intentionally depriving Jackson of money it needed to provide safe drinking water.  Simply put, the Health Department asked how it could discriminate against Jackson when it gave the city every dollar it requested. 

 This could have ended real badly for everyone.  Posted on Facebook: 

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is holding is regular press briefing.  The press conference is streamed below.  

UPDATE (12:55 PM): There is a strong chance ABC is referring to Hinds County as it did not apply for the funds.  Jackson obtained $47 million. 

 ABC News' Rachel Scott reported Jackson did not apply for its share of over $400 million in water infrastructure funds Congress awarded to Mississippi last year.  The revelation came on yesterday's edition of ABC's This Week.  Check out the story posted below. 

 Red Mountain Entertainment issued the following press release. 

Update (2/6/23): MBI is investigating the death.  

Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones issued the following statement. 

 Kenneth I. Stokes was on a roll this morning.  The legendary Jackson City Councilman made a rather interesting claim about the relationship between Mayor Lumumba and the state.  He lamented the killing fields of Jackson and admitted he stayed at a hotel in Ridgeland during the New Year's holiday so he could avoid the gunshots.   The show is posted below. I'd report more of what he said but I'VE GOT TO GO!!!

All too often preachers are known for well, preaching fire and brimstone sermons but the late Dr. Frank Pollard said there is another way.  He preached on how a 18 year-old sickly preacher taught the real meaning of the Good Book to an already famous preacher, D. L. Moody.  It's as if someone figured out people might respond better to a message of love than fear.  Enjoy the 1995 sermon posted below. 

 The Mississippi incumbent protection act worked like a charm. The bill authored by Rep. Jody Steverson of Ripley and adopted in 2021 moved the qualifying date for most state, district, and county elections to February 1^st. 

The transcript and video of Governor Reeves' annual state of the state address is posted below. Highlights: 

- Pushed parents bill of rights in schools

- Reform certificate of need laws

- Touts economic & educational success

Thank you, Lieutenant Governor Hosemann and Speaker Gunn.
 
To the members of the legislature and other elected officials here tonight, thank you. Thank you for your continued partnership and thank you for the tireless work you do on behalf of our great state and her people. 

 Once upon a time, Hollywood produced award-winning "art movies" such as Lust for Life.  The Vincent Van Gogh biography was nominated for four Oscars as Anthony Quinn took home the award for Best Supporting Actor.  However, it was Kirk Douglas's performance as the tormented artist that deserved an Oscar. 

 Well, we finally got around to shooting down Red China's "weather" balloon.  Finally.  Watch the fun.  Hoorah. 

 Rankin-Madison District Attorney Bubba Bramlett issued the following statement. 

 January 7, five Memphis police officers in a specially trained street crime unit pulled over Tyre Nichols (29) for allegedly driving recklessly, jerked him out of his car and pushed him down onto the ground where they surrounded him, beat him with their fists and batons, kicked him, and sprayed him with pepper spray while their body cameras and a public camera captured the attack. Tyre Nichols died three days later on January 10, from this brutal attack. 

The USDA said two animals died while others suffered from neglect in several inspections at the popular McClain Lodge on Holly Bush Road in Rankin County.  

 The Madison Police Department issued the following statement. 

 Uh-oh, Trey Lamar is thinking again.  He managed to get a bill passed that requires Jackson to spend all of 1% sales tax funds on water infrastructure.  WLBT reported last night: 

Attack fractured skull, left victim permanently deaf! 

Madison-Rankin County District Attorney Bubba Bramlett issued the following statement. 

The race for Hinds County Supervisor Robert Graham's seat began yesterday and the incumbent wasted no time in trying to get his opponent thrown off the ballot.  

 Aplos CEO Alex Eaton issued the following statement. 

To say the Hinds County criminal justice system has been dysfunctional has been an understatement as "catch & release" and "blessings" are favored descriptions of what passed for Hinds County justice over the years.  A frustrated legislature is taking action this year in the form of HB #1020.  However, 1020 didn't use a sledgehammer for the proverbial nail but instead uses a chainsaw to fix problems no one knew existed while polarizing the races even more.

Madison-Rankin County District Attorney Bubba Bramlett issued the following statement and mugshot.

The Democrats are at the gate and there are a few surprises at who showed up for to race.  State Senator David Blount has gotten might comfortable in his seat but Mayor Lumumba shook things up for him a little bit.  Pastor Dwayne Pickett, yes, the Pastor Dwayne Pickett qualified to run against Belhaven's Great White Father.  

Never let it be said Marshand Crisler is a quitter. Despite getting drummed by five thousand votes in November 2021, he wants a rematch with Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones. Check out the rest of the Hinds County ballot as there are a couple of surprises. 

It's Mardi Gras season and you know what that means.  Randazzo's King Cakes are back at Nandy's Candy.Want the real thing? Swing by and get one.    Available flavors are cream cheese, pecan praline, and traditional.  You can call and reserve one or pre-order as well. Enjoy.  

 To be successful in the restaurant business it takes total commitment and sacrifice. It's brutal way to earn a living. But for those of us who are bit by the bug, and are totally obsessed, we couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

 Madison-Rankin District Attorney Bubba Bramlett issued the following statement and mug shot. 

 Statewide elections will be on the ballot later this year for all state eight statewide executive branch offices, all state district offices and for all 174 posts in the Mississippi Legislature in addition to county offices and county district offices in all 82 Mississippi counties including district and county attorneys.

 Since the late night shows suck, check out some Taylor Tomlinson.  

 Former Chief Justice and failed gubernatorial candidate Bill Waller, Jr. will not run for Governor.   Speculation ran rampant Mr. Waller would run against Governor Tate Reeves as an independent.  However, Mr. Waller met with his family and chose to stay on the sidelines.   It appears there will be a Mano a Mano matchup between Governor Reeves and Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley. 

Republican Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann kicks off his reelection campaign with a formidable $3,517,092 in his coffer, according to a report released today.

The Hinds County District Attorney and Judiciary oppose HB #1020.  The bill creates a special prosecutor and judicial district for the Capitol Complex Improvement District, thus removing all CCID cases from the Hinds County judicial system.  

 Sista Rukia and her crowd are going to fight the Capitol Complex bills. 

Aplos is opening a location in Ridgeland.  Renaissance announced on Facebook: 

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is holding a press conference right now.  The presser is streamed below. 

 Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann's Senior Advisor Casey Phillips issued the following statement.

 State Senator Chris McDaniel just announced he will challenge incumbent Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann.  Watch the announcment here.

 Water bills are going to be based upon property values and oh, they are also going to go up.  So said Jackson Water Manager Ted Henifin at a press conference Friday.

 Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann issued the following statement. 

Six Senate bills making their way through the legislative process seek to set minimum sentences for some pervasive crimes and reduce theft of public tax dollars.

 Hinds County Tyree Jones issued the following statement.