Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Madison BOS votes to sue to extend qualifying deadlines. Video, maps, census figures included.

The Madison County Board of Supervisors met yesterday to discuss redistricting. Nearly 80 people attended the meeting and the media was present. Controversy erupted last week when the Board announced that only a committee of five individuals- Tim Johnson, Eric Hamer, Karl Banks, Lee Westbrook, and Brad Sellers, would handle redistricting. The Board also mandated that the company actually redistricting the county, Central Mississippi Planning & Development District, could only discuss redistricting with the committee and no one else, including election commissioners, other supervisors, and the Chancery Clerk.

The Board voted to file a lawsuit seeking extension of the qualifying deadline for Supervisor, Constable, and School Board elections until June 1 as redistricting has not been completed and the qualifying deadline for these races is March 1 (Video, maps, and documents distributed at meeting posted below).

The second page of the documents posted below states the population and racial composition for each district. The ideal population amount for each district is 19,041. District 1 (John Bell Crosby) has 17,350 residents and is 66% white. District 2 (Tim Johnson) has 19,039 people and is 80% white. District 3 (D.I. Smith) has 22,730 people and is 70% white. District 4 (Karl Banks) has 20,361 people and is 56% black. District 5 (Paul Griffin) has 15,453 people and is 76% black.

That was the news portion of this post, now for the editorial part. I suspect the Gang of Five has run into a little problem. Paul needs an additional three to four thousand voters in his district. The guidelines state the districts are to be "contiguous" and "compact" (page four of the second set of documents posted below). The guidelines can only be followed if Paul gains some of Karl's voters. Karl would then have to take voters from D.I. Smith's district, which has three thousand or so votes to spare. Tim's district is at the ideal number and John Bell's district is a little more than a thousand short of being within the desired statistical variation.

The dilemma for the Gang of Four, if they are so inclined to protect themselves in the redistricting process, is Karl has to give up several thousand voters to Paul although he currently enjoys a cushion of 1300 votes. There are approximately 3800 more blacks than whites in District 4. If Karl loses several thousand to Paul, his district gets much "whiter", something he presumably does not want to see happen. Start playing with the lines and you will see it is hard for the Karl, Paul, Tim, and John Bell to change the lines without hurting themselves, if the goal for them is indeed self-preservation.



Here are the current maps and the documents distributed at the meeting:





Video of meeting itself:


Scott Simmons interview after the meeting:


Scott Simmons interview with Tim Johnson:


Scott Simmons interview with D.I. Smith:


3 comments:

bill said...

I think this was the right move, especially when you consider that the alternative being proposed would have forced Madison countians to be without the reasonable application of the one man one vote rule until 2015. I worry that despite good faith efforts on the part of the current Madison County leadership, something might happen to derail the extension of the filing deadline and we'll be right back where we started, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for now. I only hope that we can end up with fairly drawn district lines that can be quickly approved by the Department of Justice without having to make the districts look like an octopus splattered against a brick wall. Bill Billingsley

Anonymous said...

Heed DI Smith's words. It is imperative that those interested in running qualify by MARCH 1st. There is NO GUARANTEE of an extension. You can always withdraw after March 1 but if the extension isn't approved you'll be locked out of filing to get in. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Anonymous said...

I think Bill Billingsley should qualify to run for the BOS. He's certainly got the intellect for it, has a passion for Madison County and wouldn't be reliant on the income/position for his livelihood (thus removing incentive for corruption). Run Bill, Run! -Russ Latino


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
.