Watch the video posted below. Supervisor Peggy Hobson-Calhoun makes a good speech about how Mayor Johnson is trying to harm economic development in Hinds County and mentions the crime problems and yes, "black flight" in Jackson.
Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson is trying to stop the Byram-Clinton corridor project. The project is a creation of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors and has been in the works for nearly twenty years. The project will create a corridor much like Highland Colony Parkway from I-55 to I-20. The road will pass through Byram, Clinton, and Bolton. Hinds County has received $33 million in grants for the project and spent approximately $6 million from the grants.
Supervisors Kenneth Stokes and Peggy Hobson-Calhoun mentioned a recent meeting with Mayor Johnson at the regular session of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors yesterday. Kenneth Stokes acted as Harvey's mouthpiece and opposed the project. Supervisor Hobson-Calhoun defended the project in a ten minute speech yesterday and said Mayor Johnson said he would get a petition signed by 1,500 voters to force a bond vote if any bonds were issued to fund the project. She also said he had a "long list of objections" to the project. Sources informed this correspondent Mayor Johnson wants the project rerouted through Jackson and that the Mayor sees the projects as a competitor of the Highway 80 revitalization project.
Here is the unedited video. Phil has a few things to say about Mayor Johnson at 9:30. Stokes at 13:00 starts talking about Mayor Harvey trying to kill project and make compromises with Jackson.
Editorial comment: This is Harvey Johnson at his absolute worst. This project has been in the works for nearly twenty years. Harvey knew about this project yet waited until grants were awarded and constructed started to announce his opposition. The Mayor economic paranoia sees Hinds County the same as he sees Madison and Rankin: competitors that are not competitors but the enemy. The project is a good chance to develop a good part of Hinds County but the Mayor apparently only thinks Jackson should enjoy any economic development. Perhaps the county should remind the Mayor who houses his criminals and provides a few other services he likes to enjoy at the county's expense. The Mayor is extremely short-sighted and would rather destroy Hinds County than see it succeed if it meant Hinds went down the tubes with Jackson. Keep in mind if Hinds reroutes the project to go through Jackson, it probably loses all funding and has to reapply.
Did not see this story covered in ANY of the local media- mainstream or alternative. Of course, that would have meant portraying Harvey in a negative light.
27 comments:
Is it possible to portray Harvey in anything other than a negative light and still be honest?
It's no surprise that the JFP is blinded by their love of Harvey and refuses to print anything that portrays him in a negative light, but why does the Clarion Ledger refuse to do so? It seem that most readers would respond favorably, and most local advertisers would probably agree.
Thanks for the heads up Harvey. I didn't know that we could force a vote on bond issues with just a petition signed by 1500 hundred voters.
Hmmmm! Now the voters of Jackson has a leverage mechanism to get an audit of those boondoogle projects the mayor is pushing in downtown Jackson.
To tie the Byram/Clinton Corridor to the revitalization of Highway 80 is to kill the Byram/Clinton Corridor.
Highway 80 died under the under the 3 administrations of Harvey Johnson and tenure of Kenneth Stokes. So now they want bring all that bozo crap that failed in Jackson to Hinds County.
There goes the neighborhood!
Harvey Johnson is a dressed up racist, shortsighted non-visionary that is killing our city. The problem is, who can beat him? The AA candidates that would be up to the task have left our city for the burbs.
Why do all projects the mayor does, have to go through Andrew Jenkins?
Is Stokes suggesting that Jackson voters (read "black" voters) won't support a bond issue connecting Byrum and Clinton because those are predominantly white communities? That would seem so racist.
I'm at a loss for words except to say I am so darn glad I don't live in Hinds County or in the city of Jackson. There's no way anything will ever get done with people like Harvey and Stokes in leadership roles. I hate to even think what Hinds Co and Jackson will be like in another five-ten years. No wonder Rankin County is booming. Same with Madison County. Been out Lakeland Dr/Hwy 25 lately? This area is growing by leaps and bounds and there's still plenty, plenty room to continue to grow. It will, too.
Is this the thread where I axe where I can get tamales?
as an african american I despise Harvey Johnson as a Mayor. He has no vision what so ever. How does Stokes keep getting elected to these post . Jackson is doomed until it get's some real leadership. Just found out Harvey's Chief of Police has created some positions to pad her administrations pockects.
i am african american too but I see the biggest need as the downtown to JSU corridor development. the synergy created from a new federal hospital and research corridor out from Fondren will help vitalize Bailey Ave south to Farish Street. Harvey will get a JSU stadium and hopefully a convention hotel development. The Hinds County project will be minor compared to the one coming to the Woodrow Wilson corridor.
Why can't we have both?
Has anyone actually viewed the mechanics of this boondoggle on the drawing board? I'm all for economic development, but this Clinton-Byram corridor is a goofy idea. I can think of many better ways to blow $33+ Million.
Even if Harvey is wrong in his asspumptions, I hope he is quite successful in killing this boondoggle.
Harvey might want to shore up Hwy 80 first: it's looking more and more abandoned since he took office again.
There are studies I'm going to try and get my hands on to post here.
I also seem to remember the Old Capital Green project needing $13 million from the county.
Hmmm...... maybe the Supes should refuse to provide that funding.
I seem to remember the demise of Atlanta, it rings in my ears as I read the comments. It will take a community of invested individuals, lacking nomenclature of race, to bring this city from the brink. In all my conversations about Jackson with many around this town, the question is always.... "Who?"
There are still those mired in the opinion that the way to save a drowning ship is to move seaworthy vessels into the area and have them toot their horns at the one going down.
The notion that the way to save a dying town is to build a bunch of neat shit in the areas already dead is pure damned crazy.
^^^I really like what Shadowfax had to say! LMAO^^^
I guess we that love this city should just say "fuck it" like the obsessed smart ass at 8:25.
I ain't saying "fuck it". I will continue to fight to make it better, and not throw stones from the sidelines.
Sorry Kapt.,
Most of those asking “who” have left the building. Jackson is like a giant teacher’s union. 100% of the leadership and maybe 70% of the flock don’t think there is a problem and believe the notion that if they only had more unearned money given to them they would be able to accomplish unending feats. The other 30% just grind out their good deeds hoping to make a difference. I truly wish I felt like it could turn around, but look at who the voters have decided to lead the circus.
Even more frightening is the fact that, based on recent election results, the problem has jumped city limits and infecting the county.
Shadow, you and your bar buddies sitting around pondering the future does not supplant for the type of leadership in Jackson that IS asking "Who". It is unfortunate, as 10:46 pointed out that the only alternative is for the city to go bankrupt and be managed under recievership. That would be interesting. Interesting indeed!
Kapt; first, I notice you've shortened your screen name. Second, I don't have bar buddies as I never go to bars. Third, what did you say? Fourth, it's not my goal or responsibility to offer or recognize 'options for Jackson'. But, it's ok if I want to comment on the stupidity of options as I understand them (building a corridor to nowhere or between two points of decay) or in placing fancy plants and climbing vines in and around the toilet that is Jackson in order to disguise it or make it smell better. Lastly, if you're concerned about Jackson eventually being in receivership, you must try to spell it correctly.
I've been running a 102 fever for a few days, my spelling can be excused.
I like Jackson just like it is. Keeps most of the riff raff out of Rankin and Madison counties. Forge ahead Mayor!
Killing the Clinton-Byram corridor won't help develop anything in Jackson.
The corridor is the first step toward a Clinton-Florence corridor to provide traffic relief for U.S. 49 though Richland.
Businesses aren't moving into Jackson because of roads.
Businesses will move into Jackson when they see a way to make a profit.
NO GOVERNMENT PROJECT can force commercial "development" where businesses can't make a profit.
Leland Speed and the real estate brain trust want to dam up the river and build around it. He's a smart man when it comes to economics, real estate, leasing, etc but him and the Levee board crowd are wanting to build where it floods? Go figure. Sups need to have some kind of plan for the suburbs. They should co-ordinate with the City of Jackson and the State of Miss. on the big forthcoming project which will be announced by the Governor soon. I think it will be a big naval hospital or a bio-tech firm locating a big lab here.
Kap't: You don't know me, so why would you post about 'me and my bar buddies', of which I have none?
If your posts are to be excused by a fever, you need to seek medical help quickly, as you've been running one for at least the last six months.
Get well soon.
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