Jackson Jambalaya

Proof that Jackson leadership is clueless about this and so many other things. When will the voters wake up?

Who can forget these quotes?

This is a strange turn of events. The Legislature approved the bond, but the Bond Commission dropped the ball??? And maybe on purpose? Good Lord.

And they expect cities to "lobby"? Really? Did the governor bring his D.C. lobbying ethos to the city?

I have an idea: Let the Bond Commission use outhouses going forward.

posted by DonnaLadd on 08/05/10 at 01:47 PM

Bill, note that this is the way it is traditionally done. The Legislature approved the bond! Who would imagine that, suddenly, the Republicans up there would want to be "lobbied" for it. This isn't going to help the rumor that they have it in for Jackson.

posted by DonnaLadd on 08/05/10 at 06:12 PM


Perhaps those three men are all too busy playing politics right now to think much about the water situation in the city they work in.

It is also clear that members of the Jackson legislative delegation didn't know that these state officials have decided that they should be lobbied these days:

“I'm very surprised, shocked and disappointed,” said State Senator Hillman Frazier who voted in favor of the bond when it was being considered in the state legislature before it got to the bond commission. “I didn't see this coming at all.”

I'll say it again: It is unbelievable to play politics with water infrastructure.

posted by DonnaLadd on 08/05/10 at 08:55 PM

I don't think anyone comes out squeaky clean in this, either, eyerah. But it is weird to watch some Republicans try to use it as a way to blast the city for not knowing that the rules changed. (We are requested the Bond Commission's guidelines to municipalities explaining the procedure and other materials.) The most disturbing thing to me, so far, is how political this process seems to have become since Barbour came to office. We should know more specifics soon, and we'll share.

I know a lot about Frank Melton and what he did no the lobbying front and more, and this seems to be a different situation. I am going to be very surprised if the state expects the city to "lobby" for something that the Legislature has already approved in a way that seems outside the regular lobbying procedures. Note that Reeves does not want to use the word "lobbying," and there may be very real reasons for that: because lobbying wouldn't be appropriate in these circumstances?

Perhaps "grovel" would be the preferred word?

More to come. I would suggest watching the political hyperbole on this one. There are people spreading half-facts out there for political reasons. Let's sort out the whole story before drawing too many conclusions.

posted by DonnaLadd on 08/06/10 at 10:41 AM

I have a suggestion Donna. Before you shoot your mouth off why don't you read the actual law first and then ask some questions. Better yet, actually call some people and talk to them first. You might actually find out what the truth is.

Oh please Kingfish. Her fact-checking is beyond reproach.

I filed public records requests with Jackson and MDA last week asking for copies of all applications relating to this bond issue. Should get interesting.

The JFP don't need no stinkin' FOIA requests to shoot from Donner Kay's hip. You know it has to put a big ol' smile on Harv's face when she so readily carries his water like this.

and Mac's. She's what you call a dupe.

KF: Just curious. What did the demmies say when pressed about the outstanding MDA app? Silence?

They were honest about it. Disagreed with how Bond Commission was being used but said the law was the law and the city has to file an application.

Once again outstanding work Kingfish. You've been the only media outlet in all of Jackson telling the whole story from the outset. For all the hue and cry that emits from Fondren about deep research and making phone calls it appears nothing of the sort took place in LaddCos covering of this matter beyond an apologist's base touching with the Mayor's office.

I'm still waiting for their report that Johnson has fired the paid lobbyists. That sort of story used to be big news in progressiveland.

The JFP don't need no stinkin' FOIA requests to shoot from Donner Kay's hip. You know it has to put a big ol' smile on Harv's face when she so readily carries his water like this.

But when your bucket is tiny and without influence, you can't carry too much water.

Please note paragraph 3 and 4.


Attorney General Advises City of Jackson on Water Bond Issue
August 13 2010
Contact: Jan Schaefer, Public Information Officer
601/359.2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jackson, MS--Attorney General Jim Hood has reviewed the law concerning the City of Jackson’s current water bond issue and advised city and state officials on the matter.
“The Executive Branch cannot ignore the laws passed by the Legislature,” said Attorney General Hood. “However, in this case, it appears the Legislature has granted discretion to the Mississippi Development Authority to provide the City of Jackson the loan for water infrastructure.”

Section 44 of HB 1701, passed in 2010, authorizes the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to provide interest-free loans to the City of Jackson to assist in paying for repairs and improvements to the city’s water and sewer system in close proximity to the state capitol complex. The total amount of the loans may not exceed six million dollars, and the time allowed for repayment cannot exceed seven years.

However, the statute also requires the City of Jackson to submit an application to MDA for such loans, which they have not yet done. Until the City of Jackson applies for the funds, and MDA approves the application, the Bond Commission cannot act.

“I have made myself and my staff available to help the City to do what is necessary under the law to seek these bonds,” said Attorney General Hood. “I have also made a request of the Governor and Treasurer that they agree to call a special meeting to take any actions necessary to include these bonds on the September meeting agenda. I hope that we can all agree that improvements to the City’s water and sewer systems will positively impact the business of the State offices located in and near the capitol complex.”

Under your [Mayor Harvey Johnson] proposal, the current rate of amortization on the requested $6,000,000 bond would require the City to repay $857,143 annually for the next seven (7) years. Using the SRF program would allow the City to choose the amortization schedule that best fits their needs. Theoretically the $6,000,000 could be borrowed at a rate of 1.75%-1.95% with a twenty (20) year amortization schedule, allowing the city to pay as little as $355,773 annually, a savings of $500,000 per year for the next seven years on the $6 million project.

Harvey is so eager to sign taxpayers up for an add'l (net) +$10 MILLION in LT debt in order to save enough real dollars to rescue our deeply in the red near-term budgets until the downtown con artists ride in on their white horses to save the City's future.

BUT then he wants to injure taxpayers with higher ST debt service costs in order to pursue a funding approach for a project (Capitol two-way) that isn't mission critical in these dire economic times.

How many streets could you pave in our neighborhoods this coming year Harvey with $500,000?

No, I don't know what I'm talking about at all.

If it wasn't for the transparency you've brought to Jackson Mr. Kingfish we would never know the truth about the many abuses of government. Thanks for all you do.

KF has Harvey filed the application yet?

Replying to Jacktown Smackdown:

In reference to your last question, "How many streets could you pave in our neighborhoods...with $500,000?"

I say this in jest... Which neighborhood? My streets, as most in the downtown area, are so damaged from busted water and sewer lines. A 2-inch asphalt overlay would hold for maybe 6 months. The structural integrity of the base and sub-base material under our roads is terrible--due to water&sewer issues. $500,000 would put a 6 month band-aid on maybe 1-2 miles, and that's stretching it.

Until the water and sewer system is updated, we might as well give up on having decent roads.

I am sick of trying to walk on the pavement and being tripped by potholes. I sprained my ankle a few years ago, and broke my foot about a year ago walking to the grocery store. I would walk on the sidewalks, but they are nowhere near ADA compliant. Even an able bodied person has trouble traversing the sidewalks here.

The whole fricken city is a MESS.

If you want to understand why people are leaving the little Detroit of the South in droves, read 5:52 PM.

Monica broke her ankle last year on the streets in Belhaven. Literally. Went jogging at sundown. Boom. So bad in some spots your tennis shoes need struts.

I also sprained my ankle a few years ago while walking in my neighborhood. I fell face down in the (degredaded) asphalt--actually more like gravel-- I hit my head, scraped up my hands, my arms, my knees, etc. My child of about 6 years old was walking with me. It was terribly disturbing for my child to see me lying face down in the road, semi-conscious and too injured to move for a few minutes--which seemed liked hours, as tramatic events seem to stop/slow down our concept of time. It was very scary for both of us!

God help the individuals who are permanently disabled and try to traverse any sidewalks or streets within the City of Jackson. Almost nothing is ADA compliant, and there is no evidence of the City even trying to half-way comply with ADA standards.

I am an able bodied person--when I am not suffering from wounds, sprains and fractures from walking in my neighborhood. If the City doesn't get their game plan on, they will contribute to creating more disabled people--costing the taxpayers much money in disability claims and lawsuits.

KF, have you heard if anyone has complained to the U.S. Dept. of Justice regarding ADA compliance for the City of Jackson?

Now THAT is a fine question. Substitute Jackson in the discussion attached.