Friday, May 28, 2010

Canton Junta at it again

This message was sent by Mike Kent, Superintendent of Madison County Schools, last night:
"I am sure that most of you are aware that the City of Canton Zoning Board is scheduled to hear a request from local developers on TUESDAY, JUNE 1 at 3:00 p.m. to rezone approximately 26 acres at the intersection of Old Jackson and Sowell Roads to allow for construction of 300 apartment units.

Although this area has been annexed into the city limits of Canton, there is case law from the Mississippi Supreme Court that distinguishes between city limit boundaries and school district boundaries. If apartments are built on this site, the Madison County School District will have the responsibility of educating children who reside there.

In recent years, all of the District’s planning, demographic studies, bond issues, etc. have been based upon numbers consistent with zoning regulations in Madison County which currently favor single family residences. With that as a rationale, the Madison County School District opposes the construction of apartment complexes and any other high density residential complexes.

We have attempted to gain permission to speak at the meeting on Tuesday, but have been told that the deadline to be placed on the agenda has passed and that we will not be allowed to address the zoning board about our concerns. This makes it all the more imperative that we have as many citizens as possible attend the meeting to show the board that we oppose this zoning request.

We will keep you updated on any new developments in this matter; but I strongly encourage you to plan to attend the zoning meeting on Tuesday, June 1 at 3:00 p.m. at the Canton City Hall.

Thanks for all you do to support our schools!

Mike"

I wonder if Karl Banks will call the Canton Mayor and Aldermen "cowardly". Kent shouldn't be too surprised. This is the same bunch that throws citizens in jail if they show up at city hall meetings with video cameras or protects thugs like Escobedo or whatever his name is.

Note: By the way, citizens of Madison County: You not only have no say-so on this matter, you also are going to be paying for it as well: $3 million in TIF bonds.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Isn't the area of Old Jackson rd and Sowell rd in the Canton Seperate School District?

Anonymous said...

What about this paragraph didn't you understand:

Although this area has been annexed into the city limits of Canton, there is case law from the Mississippi Supreme Court that distinguishes between city limit boundaries and school district boundaries. If apartments are built on this site, the Madison County School District will have the responsibility of educating children who reside there.

Anonymous said...

Oh the humanity! Kids of non-homeowners might end up in the Madison County Schools. The District will have to revise its "planning [and] demographic studies" and possibly revisit the sufficiency of recent "bond issues." Apartment-dwelling kids could end up in the same classrooms as kids with superficial, image-conscious, keeping-up-with-the-Joneses parents. Madison County School District parents will have to pay actual tuition to get the private school experience. Can't somebody stop this tragedy?

Kingfish said...

Well, well, well. Two substitute of trustee notices have been recently filed against Mr. Sartain and his wife by Bankplus. Another Steve Bryan?

Kingfish said...

Get over yourself. I watched up close apartments ruin NE Jackson. Chatham Village and its neighbors turned into hell holes. Section 8 tenants, drunks, thugs, oh, and lets not forget the Danny's strippers and all their cokehead friends.

Don't blame them one bit for fighting this. Apartments are harming Byram and Ridgeland has suffered from its apartment splurge years ago when it was just happy to get anyone from Jackson.

Anonymous said...

Can't blame Canton for their attempt. They make $ on taxes & don't have to educate the kids. Economic windfall for them.
Can't blame Madison for fighting it, either. Should be an interesting battle.
I'm pulling for the school system.

Anonymous said...

is kent accurate about Mississippi case law? it seems to me that annexation of an area would mean taking on education as well as police, fire and utility services. What logic would govern any case that says different?

thanks in advance if anyone knows this without doing a lot of legal research.

Anonymous said...

Anon 9:56

That is about as idiotic a remark and conclusion as saying the President of the United States is responsible for the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Plain garbage. In other words, Zero relevance. You may not agree with Mike Kent but you would be better served in understanding his position when you see the current education budget, the forcast of revenues to support the budgest and growth plan for Madison County Schools.

Their are many children that live in apartments that are enrolled in Madison County Schools. Ridgeland has many apartment dwellers with children. Those children who are enrolled in public schools go to Madison County Schools. This said the pettiness of your writing displays a hint of jealousy and/or envy with a touch of contempt. I have been a great supporter of Madison County Public Schools for many years. I have two graduates from the system. Each with a first rate education that has led them to college and graduate schools of the highest caliber. One more about to enter 9th grade and he is doing well too.

One more thing. What makes Madison County so attactive to large companies to locate here and why Madison County continues to weather the economic storm better than other counties is the public education system of Madison County. If you doubt it, google it or call Dr. Phil Pepper, State Economist.

Anonymous said...

10:50 AM Is Madison or Rankin fairing better? R/E wise, I think Rankin is, but just curious your thoughts. I'm thinking Lost Rabbit, but then we have Arbor Landing.

Anonymous said...

apartments causes "drunks, thugs, oh, and lets not forget the Danny's strippers and all their cokehead friends"? Hahahahahaha. Way to show your ignorance, KF. I thought you were a freakin lawyer, dude? You're supposed to be able to understand the concept of causation.

Anonymous said...

Apartments simply bring in an element of folks with little connection to the overall community. SAY NO TO APARTMENTS! We did over here on the Rez!

Anonymous said...

11:05, I'm sure some regret your causation.

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:58

My comments were not expressing superiority of one county over another but one of defending Madison County public school system and pushing back the idiotic knee jerk remarks of Anon 9:56.

Rankin County has a very good public school system and economic development in the county is robust. With a little research, it would not be difficult to discern which county is fairing better through the economic storm. A more interesting question would be why Rankin County continues to grow during this dismal recovery. (If we are really in economic recovery.)

Anonymous said...

12.26 PM...my sentiments exactly. While the recession hit jobs pretty hard, MS is the type of place folks will make due. I don't really think beyond the jobs issue, Rankin/Madison really suffered. Expansion slowed, yes, but I believe that this area has shown a resilience and it has almost convinced me to stick around.

BTW, did not take your comments as superiority, was looking for an honest assessment of the situation.

Also, Rankin is not growing its tax base through apartments. Its growing it through business and through expanding residential single family homes. Just don't tell the strippers about it.

Anonymous said...

The school district and the germantown/panther creek residents don't want commercial development (water park/amphitheatre) and now they do not want residential development? What happened to free enterprise and capitalism?



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

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
.