Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Byram PD can't get radios: The REST of the story

Ruth Ingram accurately reported in the Clarion-Ledger Byram's attempts to obtain funding for police radios from Hinds County at the regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors yesterday:

"Byram Police Chief Luke Thompson has waited since June for his department to receive hand-held radios.

On Tuesday, he saw the wait extended.

Hinds County supervisors met to discuss recommendations from the county's E-911 Council for the purchase of Byram's radios, but they bogged down over what brand to buy...

Byram requested $232,889 from the E-911 Council to purchase radios and an additional $132,928 to purchase police dispatch center equipment.The state Wireless Communications Commission has approved the purchase of radios for Byram police from Motorola, Hinds County board attorney Crystal Wise Martin told the three supervisors present: Doug Anderson of District 1, board President George Smith of District5 and Peggy Hobson Calhoun of District3....

True enough. However, the key part of the story is this little fact:
"Nathan Hargrove, a county-hired consultant whose company is Northstar Wireless, told supervisors their best choice for radio communication is E.F. Johnson Technologies.

"When it comes to two-way radio communication, Hinds County has options other than Motorola," Hargrove said.

Thompson told supervisors Motorola's price quote was less than that of E.F. Johnson. "June 1 is coming quick," Thompson said....

Hargrove said if the county chooses E.F. Johnson radios, that brand would present the "least technical hurdles."If the selection of Motorola posed problems, Calhoun said, "why would the Mississippi Wireless Commission go forward and approve Motorola? "Each time it comes up for approval, there's another stumbling block," she said. "What's the real problem here? The Wireless Commission has approved the purchase of this item."

Here is the scoop on what is really going on here. Ms. Ingram did a pretty good job in reporting what transpired yesterday at the meeting. The Chief was ready to pull his hair out as he practically begged the Board for funding for radios he needs NOW. A delegation of Byram officials and BPD employees attended the meeting in support of their chief. However, Mr. Hargrave kept objecting to Motorola and raising objections at every step of the way.

Ms. Ingram failed to mention one exchange that took place during the meeting: Chief Thompson asked Mr. Hargrave directly if he sold E. F. Johnson radios. Mr. Hargrave said he did but that didn't make any difference. Mr. Hargrave argued it was no different from a grocery store selling its own bread but it didn't tell you which brand to buy.

That's right. Mr. Hargrave, the "consultant" for the Board on this matter, is pushing the Board to purchase radios he sells instead of the Motorolas costing Hinds County $13,000 less than the E.F. Johnson radios. Then when the going got tough, Doug Anderson, ducked out of the meeting, depriving the Board of a quorum.

A consultant holding up Byram when it tries to buy police radios already approved by the state so he can push the county into purchasing radios he just happens to sell. THAT is the rest of the story.

Good Day!

Posted by Kingfish at 3:25 AM

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Not the only consultant looking to fleece the board these days. Derrick Johnson got a pass for his $40,000 worth of consulting yet had nothing to show for his work at the redistricting meeting.

I'd hate to see how these supervisors would spend when then had excess funds in teh budget. But don't see that being an issue any time soon.

February 23, 2011 at 4:02 AM
Anonymous said...

Don't worry the Jackson 2020 task force will solve all of these problems. Jackson and HindsCo are only lacking new marketing spin to make it all better.

February 23, 2011 at 5:21 AM
Anonymous said...

No mention of law enforcement's and the public's safety here. Isn't that the primary purpose for handheld radios? Why did the County need a consultant on wireless communication? Will they have to pay this consultant if they don't purchase his brand of "bread"?

February 23, 2011 at 7:13 AM
Anonymous said...

Looks like Chief Thompson and the State Ethics Commission (Tom Hood) should get together and find some charges for Mr. Hargrove.

February 23, 2011 at 7:27 AM
Anonymous said...

Barely a week into the job and during his very first Tuesday meeting Whitwell proves that he has much in common with Doug Anderson.

February 23, 2011 at 10:20 AM
KaptKangaroo said...

I thought the same thing at first. Upon reflection, he probably had this engagement already scheduled PRIOR TO his election. I believe he found the best way to meet all obligations without ignoring any.

Give the guy a break.

February 23, 2011 at 11:36 AM
Anonymous said...

The people's business is more important Kaptain Apologist.

Whitwell didn't run for office saying 'Hey, vote for me because I want to represent Ward 1 except when I have a prior engagement'.

Cancel or reschedule the engagement but blowing out of his first meeting is not only bad form it also turned out to be bad PR since it got played up in the daily that he bagged and left an already dysfunctional Council in the lurch.

This from someone who one week ago, with no caveats, was promising to 'restore accountability'.

February 23, 2011 at 1:09 PM
Anonymous said...

Geez Donna, go back to your own site.

February 23, 2011 at 1:42 PM
Anonymous said...

This time the Kaptain is right. Give Whitwell a reasonable amount of time to transition his committments.

February 23, 2011 at 2:37 PM
Darryl Hamilton said...

To be fair, 1:09, it was his second meeting. His first occurred last week when they voted in the school board members.

February 23, 2011 at 2:38 PM
Anonymous said...

Jackson Jambalaya. Home of the hypocrites. If Patricia Ice won the election y'all would be all over her for walking out last night.

February 23, 2011 at 3:08 PM
Anonymous said...

Oh Donna, why not practice what you preach and get an ID?

February 23, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Anonymous said...

/\/\ YAWN /\/\

February 23, 2011 at 7:40 PM
Kingfish said...

William Winter had previously asked QW to speak at some event. Was before the election from what I am told. Mr. Winter even called Frank Bluntson.

February 25, 2011 at 6:00 PM

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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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