Saturday, August 25, 2007

Melton: No Friggin' Clue

The Jackson Free Press is reporting that the budget deficit for Jackson has ballooned from approximately $4 million dollars to $13 million dollars. As Adam Lynch reported:
"The city administration updated an earlier estimation of a $3.9 million budget deficit today at the 3 p.m. budget meeting. “The city is currently out of budget about $13.1 million,” said city Director of Administration Rick Hill...."

So how did this happen? The budget deficit TRIPLED in only a few months? In April the administration was stating it was only a $4.1 million deficit. Now four months later it is $13 million dollars? What the hell happened in four months? Did he put his flag football expert Melvin in charge of the finances? To their credit, some of the City Council members pressed for further details and were given short shrift by the administration. The Mayor will not even provide them with detailed budgets, as Mr. Lynch reported:
"The council had been expecting a phone book-sized collection of numbers, including itemized salaries and annual pay for each city employee, among other things. What they got was a 30-page budget summary."

The City Council has been unable to look at solutions to the deficit as the Mayor has refused to provide them with an itemized budget along with the appropriate explanations. Before a problem can be solved, it first has to be identified. The Mayor works for us, the citizens of Jackson. It his his job, no, his duty, to provide us and our representatives with a detailed budget, which is certainly more than 30 pages (Hell, audited financial statements for a medium-sized business can run 50 pages easily), so that it can be determined what needs to be done. Promises, accusations, and talking point memos aren't going to come up with $13 million dollars. What we need is a damned budget that is itemized that tells us EXACTLY what the projected revenues and expenditures are.

However, there is apparently a reason for the deficit. In typical fashion, Melton blamed someone else, this time the Johnson Administration. He claimed that "his internal auditors have discovered the city has run a deficit for years. He passed around a sheet composed by his staff that showed his first budget, fiscal 2006-07, inherited a $5.6 million revenue shortfall" (The Clarion-Ledger, August 21, 2007). Incidentally, his proposed solution is to raid the City's $7 million dollar rainy day fund, leaving Jackson with no reserves should an emergency like Katrina or one of Melton's so-called state of emergencies face Jackson again.

Even if one takes Melton's claims at face value, which experience shows is foolish, that still does not explain why the deficit is $13 million. If there was mismanagement by the prior administration Mayor, why don't you call in the state auditor's office? They are pretty good at finding corruption you know. Hmmm...I wonder if that is why they have not been called. An independent audit of the city finances could be done, which would show the public how bad they were when Melton assumed office. Sorry Mayor, but considering how you have repeatedly blamed everyone else and were found guilty of lying under oath in court, some of your citizens aren't so quick to take your claims at face value, especially when Mayor Johnson was required by law not to have a budget that was at a deficit.

Of course, Melton's blaming Mayor Johnson follows the pattern he set with reporting crime. He first refused to release any crime statistics, then junked the reporting system the city used. The media had to go to court in order to get any information at first on the crime problem while he accused the Johnson administration of providing false crime statistics, something that was never proved. Meanwhile, the FBI investigates and the budget spirals out of control.

The more this mayor is in office, the more apparent it is he has no friggin clue and is running this city by the seat of his pants.

related story:
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=13145_0_27_0_C

Update: hmmm...just had a thought. Ongoing FBI investigation, Mayor refuses to release an itemized budget, huge deficit, Mayor blames everyone else............

Update: Got some clarification. The JFP wasn't clear on one thing. There is a 13 million dollar deficit. However it is for NEXT year's budget (called the intentions), not the current budget. However, that is STILL a disaster.

3 comments:

HDMatthias, MD said...

Can citizens of Jackson request an audit by Bryant?

Anonymous said...

Bryant should have audited him A LONG time ago....

I'm not sure if we can request an audit by Bryant, nor do I know if he will do one. The "rest" of MS besides the people that deal with Melton like him (Melton). Since Bryant is running for office, I don't think he would audit Melton.

Kingfish said...

would be a great question to ask a candidate for auditor:

Since the Mayor is making allegations of financial mismanagement by the previous administration in Jackson, would you audit the finances of Jackson?



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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.