Monday, January 25, 2010

More Fuelman facts

The City Council and Mayor Johnson recently sparred over Fuelman cards, the same Fuelman cards that were the subject of much controversy during Frank Melton's last year in office as then-police chief Malcolm McMillin berated the City Council for daring to investigate this matter.
JJ submitted a public records request for the number of active Fuelman cards in August 2008 and November 2009 in an effort to see if the number of cards issued had risen or fallen since the Johnson administration assumed office.

The total number of active cards on August 4, 2008 was 396. There were 451 active cards on November 30, 2009, a net increase of 55 cards. I suspected this increase was probably due to the hiring of more police officers, which would explain the higher number. Chris Mims, the Director of Communications for the City of Jackson, confirmed this in a phone call this morning and said that to the best of his recollection, there were approximately thirty new police officers in 2009.

Mr. Mims also stated they were still reviewing the Fuelman card policy and "intended to lower the number of Fuelman cards." Mr. Mims was also provided JJ with this spreadsheet showing the number of gallons used by each department in the first half of 2009 and said 1232 employees have access to Fuelman cards. WLBT reported in 2008 1088 employees had access to Fuelman cards.

The Johnson administration took office in July. It is reasonable to assume it takes 90 days or so to hire staff, review policies, implement changes, and conduct other normal operations that are part of any regime change. This post is a starting point and when Johnson's first year of office is ended, JJ intends to review the Fuelman card usage again to determine how it has been handled by the current administration.

17 comments:

Paul Mitchell said...

KF, it is really unfair to keep track of things in the past. Don't you know that Jackson voted to go back to the change of four years ago?

I have ten dollars to a day old donut that before too much longer, crime will be even higher than it has ever been (even though there is not much left to steal), unemployment in Jackson will continue to escalate, and the roads will get even worse. Who wants some of this action?

Anonymous said...

Don't delude yourselves; things will not get better, only worse. Check Matthew Ch 24 - But this must happen before things get better

Anonymous said...

Keep up the good work/research, KF!

Too bad the printed media (C-L, JFP) in this area no longer do shoe-leather type research.

I have friends from college who work for major newspapers and magazines in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and New York. I have been trying to convince them to come down and spend "just a week" reporting in Jackson. I told them they'd dig up enough stuff they'd at least get nominated for the public service Pulitzer. ;-)

Anonymous said...

So Paul you're making book that crime will surpass those placid and serene days of Kane Ditto? I might want some of that action. What odds are you giving?

Paul Mitchell said...

Funny, I cannot remember that far back, a mere twelve/thirteen years ago. You sure you want that bet?

Paul Mitchell said...

I want to clarify my prediction. Crime shall surpass the per capita crime of all antiquity. I think that last year was pretty close to that as well, but I could be wrong.

To say that we would have more robberies or murders when the population is around half of what it was twenty years ago would be suicide in the booking realm.

Anonymous said...

While crime may get worse as you predict I doubt it could ever rise to the levels we experienced during the dark days of Ditto.

Now you're talking per capita. I'm good with that. Per capita this city is swirling the crapper across the board on most measures.

Thank goodness there is another soul in the area who understands the impacts of Jackson's population loss.

Anonymous said...

The mayor of Waveland was indicted last week on embezzlement charges for allegedly using Fuelman for his private vehicle.

Kingfish said...

Btw, the CL has most of this info. They submitted their own requests weeks ago and were given this same info.

Anonymous said...

Which begs the question 2:11 why State Auditor Pickering has never audited Jackson's usage of Fuelman.

Kingfish said...

Who is he? Never heard of him.

Anonymous said...

"Who is he? Never heard of him"

Who is who?

Anonymous said...

WHO DAT?

I just had to shout out to da Saints. Forgive me my exuberance.

Anonymous said...

Good Points Guys.

Questions:

Do you want crime to increase in Jackson?

If yes, why don’t you move away like the others?

If no, who is responsible for reducing crime in Jackson?

Are you willing to support the persons, bodies or organizations you feel are responsible for reducing crime in Jackson?

Who directly benefits economically from any increase in crime in Jackson?

Which community or communities suffer(s) the most from any increase in crime in Jackson?

Paul Mitchell said...

Frank, of course no one wants crime to increase in Jackson except the criminals. The first rule of problem solving is to identify the problem. Not rehire one/many of the major ones.

Do I care about Jackson? Of course, but not at the risk of my family. So, I got out years ago when government proved beyond any doubt that it was incapable of solving a single problem in Jackson and the people were unwilling to elect others that were upstanding and motivated to correct the problems.

Who benefits in an increase in crime in Jackson? Criminals. The fun part is identifying those criminals. If the same people are in charge and the same things keep happening, how long do you keep those folks in charge?

The communities that benefit from an increase in crime are the ones that operate prisons to accept the people that are convicted of the crimes. Oddly enough, there was an article in the Clarion Ledger yesterday or the day before about how many criminals Jackson is NOT going to try. Funny, huh?

One only needs to know the definition of INSANITY to avoid it. You can actually find INSANITY on Google Maps,too. It is in Eastern Hinds County, Mississippi.

It Is Mickens Q & A Time! said...

Do you want crime to increase in Jackson?

No.

If yes, why don’t you move away like the others?

Encouraging others to move away, even if they answer 'Yes', is counterproductive. It seems to be a common tactic of some who believe the approach of the status quo is sufficient and who do not want the status quo challenged.

If no, who is responsible for reducing crime in Jackson?

Jacksonians.

Are you willing to support the persons, bodies or organizations you feel are responsible for reducing crime in Jackson?

I already do.

Who directly benefits economically from any increase in crime in Jackson?

Let me guess. You believe there exists a cabal in the suburbs that is conspiring against Jackson.

Which community or communities suffer(s) the most from any increase in crime in Jackson?

Every single Jacksonian suffers.

Anonymous said...

9:00, great comments. I would like to add that every Jackson metro citizen will suffer from an increase in crime in Jackson - whether you're in Jackson, Clinton, Madison, Brandon, Pearl, etc.



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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.

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This is definitely a Beaver production.


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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.

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