Jackson Jambalaya

Way too exorbitant for Jackson.

Whatever he or she is being paid, it's not working. The City of Jackson isn't getting any production from the position, or maybe, even more frightening, it is getting production, and the City is still sliding down the slippery slope of destruction.

So O'Neill makes more (way more than many) than all except freakin' Atlanta? In THIS broke ass city? What economic development has the Metro Chamber done or accomplished, other than trips to China, atta boy get-to-gethers, and stupid luncheons?

Don't take my word for it. Guidestar.com. Free registration.

It would seem that <$200k would be on par for Jackson, comparatively speaking.

It's the METRO chamber of commerce. It covers far more than Jackson proper. Look it up. Some argue Jackson actually gets far less that its proportionate share of representation than it deserves.

Yes, I pointed that out and if you look at the other chambers, they usually didn't cover just their city alone. I tried to include those that were regional in nature.

Screw all of that. $380,000 is damn ridiculous. Does his board and "givers" know he makes more that the GOVERNOR?

It's the METRO chamber of commerce.

Good try SPINMEISTER. Besides Leadership Jackson, which is a SELF-SERVING hallelujah chorus unto itself, what the hell does O'Neill do? Gives us some FACTS and ACCOMPLISHMENTS that are more than FLUFF.

Well they DID lose the bio-tech thingy in Flora. That is worth at least $200k.

Phoenix has ** 3 ** f'ing times the number of people as our entire metro area.

It is the GOB employment agency paying its best friends top dollar for meager results. They don't want yocals like you Kingfish telling folks what they don't want them to know. You gone done touched the third rail now.

How much does Phoenix pay?

Read KF's original post. Phoenix: $286,573

HOLY SHIT. $100,000 LESS THAN THE MAJIC MAN???!!! PHOENIX/JACKSON METRO. THE DUES PAYERS HAVE GOT TO BE PISSED.

I don't know about the "dues payers", but I am. This is f'g insulting. Who the f is on that board. If this information gets out (really OUT), you will see a mass exodus of "dues payers".

The Chamber has a COO, an EVP, a SVP, 2 Executive Directors and 5 Directors plus O'Neill pulling down $380k for 550,000 people. Outrageous.

All I know is that Duane O'Neill and the Metro Partnership is one of the most ineffective "leaders" and "Chambers" I have ever known.

WTF does the GJCP do or accomplish.

ACCOMPLISH.

Let's go to CHINA. Give me a break!

380 freakin' K!!!

Well downtown IS on fire. Surely he is in the middle of all of that.

Well downtown IS on fire.

Always a homer in the bunch. Downtown is a bubble. A hype bubble.

What is next? Anything? Is this just another hyped dustup?

It's not how much the prez makes versus what they pay the consultants to make the decisions (if any) for them.

The thing most hate about is...it's not them.

Maybe, just maybe (couBULLSHITgh) that's why it's not any worse than it is in the capital city. He's got his fingers in the dikes or is it the ummmm errrr levees.

ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!

GJCP "leadership" on the levee argument is laughable. QUICKLY!!! WHERE DOES THE GJCP stand on this issue?

Where? Not a f'g WORD.

What is the surprise? They ain't said shit in 15 years, even when Madison and Pearl were raping Jackson's ass.

I hate to be the harbinger of bad news/facts, but....

I really thought you guys would agree that the Chamber, as a privately owned corporation, should be able to spend the Chambers money as the Chamber sees fit.

As a past member of the Jackson/Metro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, I can attest to the fact that the vast majority of the Chamber's budget/income/funding comes from non-governmental sources.

Therefore I can only assume that you:

Libertarians (no central government, and thereby no effecctive citizen intervention),

Republicans (less central government, and thereby less effective citizen intervention),

Laissez-faire Capitalists (more government money and no central government intervention, and thereby no effective citizen intervention),

States Rights advocates (let us secede from this existing central government and thereby shut off our welfare support payments to our middle and upper classes via our lower classes = economic suicide =insanity),

Born again Christians (God’s government = slavery ok according to the Book of Philemon),

would support the Chamber's right to self determination and unfettered search for economic profits as the Chamber spends the Chamber's’ money as the Chamber's membership sees fit; in this case in the form of Mr. O’Neil’s salary.

PS: Of course you could purchase a Chamber membership and vote down Mr. O’Neil’s salary, keeping in mind, of course, the Chamber's by-laws which state that a member association or a member corporation may purchase as many memberships, and there-by purchase as many votes as it wants. Good luck in out voting TrustMark.

PSS: You guys do realize that the recent US Supreme Court decision of last Friday equating money in the form of campaign donations to “unfettered free speech” has effectively killed your one man –one vote democracy. This is the same structure appearing in the Chamber by-laws for memberships or membership “investments”.

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-205.pdf (actual opinion)

http://www.scotusblog.com/2010/01/citizens-united-v-fec-in-plain-english/#more-15453 (commentary on opinion)

I really don’t expect to get any response to my comment. The harsh and awful truth has a way of provoking silence.

SMILE

By The Way Kingfish...

Great Reporting!!!!

Again.

My goal is to make connections between the more than obvious, thereby prodding those whose minds are flexible enough to process information in a logical manner to THINK and hopefully ACT.

For those of us/you whose minds are hopelessly made up based upon ideology or whatever, I make no claim to be attempting to, or being able, to change your mind with facts, mind tricks or prayers.

I am however willing to change my mind based upon facts, truth or any sensible and logically consistent philosophy.

Let me have it!

Of course you can choose to ignore me, as is your right..and I pretty much expect to be ignored by most of the bloggers on this site.

And that's OK with me!

Frank I don't believe anyone is advocating that the Chamber can't spend what it wants on who it wants. I don't see one comment above yours that adopts that position.

Anonymous said:

Frank I don't believe anyone is advocating that the Chamber can't spend what it wants on who it wants. I don't see one comment above yours that adopts that position.

January 26, 2010 6:08 AM


Anon,

Granted no one said the exact words that would definitivly express an advocation that the Chamber can’t do what it wants; however, let us use a little logic here.

To express a disagreement with an action implies you disagree with the act. Yes?

That’s why I try to use the language of the certainties of unrestrained, unfettered and uncompassionate human nature and the simplicity of the truth in my discussions as opposed to the inherent and purposeful uncertainties of the language of lawyers.

The certainties of unbridled, unfettered and uncompassionate human nature are nicely described in the 10 Commandments and the Bible.

The language of lawyers is okay in our adversarial legal system where a lawyer could be equally and profitably called upon to argue either side of and issue; and that’s okay for legal arguments, but not very productive in conversations dealing with promoting positive human relations.

After all we use our legal system when the interactions, communications and communications between human beings break down; a legal system that lately has been mainly used to avoid violence while profiting the rich and powerful; you know the old license to steal, maim and destroy the less than rich and powerful; just my observation.

Anyway, since you chose to ignore my connection between the Chambers system of the outright purchasing of memberships by the richer and more powerful members of the Chamber to purchase extra power within, with the US Supreme Court decision to allow the same purchase of power, influence and votes in our political system, can I assume that you agree with he courts decision?

If you do agree, please let me know how you think that decision will benefit you and your extended family. If you don’t agree with the decision, I’d like to know your logic as well.

PS: The goal of the JMCC and the National Chamber is to benefit and financially profit its members and not the citizens, cities, municipalities, states and country they reside in. That’s why your 401(k) and pension plan probably took a big negative hit last year; if you are fortunate and blessed enough to have same.

Just imagine what would have happened if Bush and the Republican’s had been successful in their attempt to privatize Social Security!

Frank please quit writing these long ass epistles. Say it quickly and move on. If you think $380 K is just fine, SAY IT, but stop the GD lectures.

Better yet, start your own blog.

Frank, thank you for your dribble. I now know the difference between a Republican and a Capitalist?!?@!#@

Fact.
Downtown small businesses have been clamoring for YEARS about access to affordable health care for chamber members. ACTIONS: very little, its still expensive, and ultimately the bottom line is they've done nothing.

Fact.
Downtown small businesses have been unrepresented in the fight to overturn the ad valorum tax on inventory. As a small business that held a large inventory, it basically was the nail in the coffin for a great deal of retailers. ACTION: NONE.

Basically, the chamber is nothing more than a sticker on the front window of businesses held hostage by a city that does little to spur economic growth. No relief has been given to small businesses downtown in many years. The two examples above illustrate the tip of the iceberg issues that small businesses (who make up the majority) face in the crumbling Jackson economy.

I stopped our membership two years ago because they never did anything for our business. Why should I advertise their group when they are misrepresenting themselves as a Chamber of Commerce. Sounds more like a Pack of Thieves, satisfied with the status quo. Members go into business (albiet slower rate) as members go out of business (faster rate). BTW, we closed our doors after more than 20 years of business downtown.

This is not a politicized issue. This is a COMMERCE issue, an issue that should be addressed discussing relevant issues businesses in Jackson face and the ACTIONS the Chamber has taken. BTW, we could have used some of that $380K for working capital a few months ago and we might still be in business.

Frank, write and post what you want. If the 8AM bozo doesn't care for it he/she doesn't have to read. Better yet, they can start their own blog.

Post what you want Frank. This aint the damn JFP.

8:08 here, Ibid Anon 8:10 - I'm still getting used to using my non-Anonymous account. I don't care if he posts or not, just wish he was a bit more relevant to real world issues and not pie-in-the sky SCOTUS decision to give corporations individual rights under the constitution. We can address that somewhere else. This is about a Chamber that is doing nothing for its members. Nothing. And they are re-numerating themselves handsomely.

Frank said If you do agree [with Supreme Court Decision], please let me know how you think that decision will benefit you and your extended family. If you don’t agree with the decision, I’d like to know your logic as well.

Frank, you personify a huge problem with today's society. You are worried how a decision on the law directly effects you, before you worry about whether the law is just, constitutional and/or biased.

Frank said: The goal of the JMCC and the National Chamber is to benefit and financially profit its members and not the citizens, cities, municipalities, states and country they reside in.

So, the members are not "the citizens"?

Let me ask. If businesses succeed in an area, does the area benefit? Are people employed, taxes paid, improvements made???

Trying to use the straw man of "evil business" is getting old when everything depends on that very business and "We" are those who own and are employed by those businesses.

Frank Mickens: To express a disagreement with an action implies you disagree with the act. Yes?

Actually Frank no. I may, and in this case I do, disagree with actions because of the results. Big difference.

Hey Frank. You're a product of 'Leadership Jackson', right?

Frank, if you actually justified the salary somewhere in all that, I missed it.

I think what some of us want to know is, 380k is justifiable, how? Justifiable by meaning, has done -blank- to earn/deserve said compensation..

I can NOT get past $380,000. $380,000 a YEAR! A FREAKIN' YEAR!

Maybe he's getting paid by those outside of Jackson to push a non-Jackson agenda. Just a thought.

As long as my city or county contributes one penny to the Metro Chamber, this guy's salary IS definitely my business.

"Maybe he's getting paid by those outside of Jackson to push a non-Jackson agenda. Just a thought."

A GOOD THOUGHT. WHAT HAS THE METRO CHAMBER OR DUANE O'NEILL DONE FOR THE CITY OF JACKSON? THEY EVEN PUNTED ON 2 LAKES. WHAT DEVELOPMENT HAS THE GJCP BROUGHT TO JACKSON? JACKSON?

A lot of anger here. Is it the salary, or the accountability, or the preformance (or lack thereof) that has the stingers out? Or What?

Accountability. No responses to insurance and repeal of the inventory tax?

Exorbitant salary. Paucity of results.

How about this:

1. Useless organization, impressed with itself, and its imagined importance.
2. NO economic development plan. NONE. What is the 5 year economic plan for the GJCP?
3. Overpaid "bigshots" (5 or 6), insulated by a woosie Executive Committee that cow-tows to Mr. O'Neill.
4. $380,000/yr for the top brass. This is phucking outrageous.

Anything else? Now let's go to China. THAT is economic development!

Pay me 100k and give me a budget of 280k to at least begin a conversation about the abolishment of the inventory tax. That would be a great deal more than the loss of Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola in the last two years from the downtown tax base. Hmmmmm.

Abolish this bogus, hotshit, do nothing (real), wanna be important "white collar executives", plastic, top water, lightweight" organization.

Hey Guys.

You convinced me in just one day.

I have no business blogging on this site.

I will continue to read Kingfishe's excellent reporting.

I really respect Kings research and willingness to gather and post actual source documents.


As my final words I will answer the few direct and on point questions I received.

a) Yes, I am a member of the first Leadership Jackson Class. I stopped my Chamber membership and resigned from the board in the late 80's.

b) As I said, I believe the Chamber can pay Mr. O'Neil whatever they want.

c) Yes, I do have a tendency to focus on what's wrong with society, with the caveatt of trying to get people to think and act in concert to correct the wrongs that could be changed for the better,and thereby benefit everybody. I was hard pressed to find any positive comments on this site from anybody, so I guess I did fit in with everybody else on that negativity issue. Like everybody else, i do like and respect the Kingfish and his work.

d) Like Kingfish I don't have enough information to have any opinion about Mr. O'Neil's salary as compared to the other SE cities listed for comparison. The Chamber Board seems happy with Mr. O'Neil's performance.

e) The so called corporate financial business "straw man" runined our economy while personally profiting.

f) I co-owned and operated a construction and engineering business in Jackson for twenty years, so I have the utmost respect for my fellow small businessmen. I know the struggles and dedication needed for a small businessman to survive, much less prosper. I was turned down for loans many times, during good and bad economic times.

g) If Supreme Court decisions just sat on a page I wouldn't pay any attention to them, but if they are biased, and unfair and maybe even unconstitutional, like the case I cited, they will eventually effect you, me, and our families. Ignore them at your peril.

h) I am amazed how most responses to my comments are usually negative, and never respond to the point or the simple, though thought provoking, questions I ask, but the negative posting blogger usually continues, in their same coment response, to agree with what I wrote. Strange.

Bye

Damn what a wierdo.

Here's looking at you Frank...click on my name for more information.

off subject, but speaking of 990s, where is b murphy's 2008 990 for the fine arts institute of ms? shouldn't it be posted. it would have all the relevant numbers of the recent court actions. what happened to faim, was the court date 1/22? update if you can.

The so called corporate financial business "straw man" runined our economy while personally profiting.

Now it's the "corporate FINANCIAL business" instead of just any business so that the straw man can be more of a boogey man.

Let's see if I understand. Because the financial business "ruined our economy while personally profiting" it would appear you jump to the conclusion that it's OK to limit the direct political advertising of a business, whereby it would be out in the open, while other groups and entities can organize and purchase ads under layers of anonymity just so we can punish those "corporate financial businesses."

The decision was the correct one regardless of who's done what. Besides, the "corporate financial businesses" ruined the economy operating under the law. How does removing it change that?

I posted FAIM's in earlier posts.

"I posted FAIM's in earlier posts."

Not the 2008, it's not there.

What does that have to do with $380K?

But, at least the Chamber is tackling Childhood Obesity this year! Cause no one wants to locate a business in a city with fat kids!

Yup. Dustup over.

Another aspect to consider when comparing different compensation packages is term of service. In other words, what is a starting salary and then how do you value institutional knowledge and experience each year that someone is there. Often times a recruit for a professional job does not begin paying for himself for 18 months after taking the job (recoup recruitment, orientation, training, etc costs). But then afterward, the longer they stay the more invested value they have from and provide to the company. So if Jackson's guy has been here 15 years and Little Rock's guy has been there 1 year, it makes sense that Jackson's would have greater compensation...and if he left that the next person would make significantly less. Just another factor to throw in.

No one is disputing that but most of my readers are pretty well-educated and know this already. Compared to the other cities, its pretty high. Of course, that IS the chamber's business and is a contract between a private individual and a private-sector employer even though it is a non profit.

The more the apologists carry water for O'Neill's exorbitant out-of-market salary the more confirmation you have that there is absolutely no justification for the level in this size market.

Some bozo is over at the MBJ saying (paraphrase) that Jackson is lucky O'Neill hasn't been hired somewhere else. They don't want anyone asking the questions WHY SuperO'Neill hasn't been hired anywhere else.

The Jackson Chamber/Partnership receives no public funding (tax dollars), the board votes on his salary and membership in the Chamber is optional, so if you don’t like the salary don’t join or support. But remember you get what you pay for! We would gladly pay to have Duane in our city!

What time can you pick him up?