Jackson Jambalaya

Good.

Who is John Bell?

Word on the street is - "Mary is not going to run but will have John Bell run in her place - that way she can still pull the strings and control things - he would never run against her, he's her puppet!"

That may have been true five years ago when he was juggling apples and shelving Viennas, 12:29. Once Rudy got ahold of John and taught him the sinister ropes of politics and influence, he suddenly became his own man. But he stills needs a muffler on that ancient car.

He's one arrogant son of a bitch, no doubt, but will be deflated like a ripe pimple if he thinks he'll beat Hawkins in the next election. (If she runs).

Someone needs to run against her.

Shadowfax, you are quick to say what you think regarding Bell, what you are Mary's pawn? She needs to go for the city's sake.... One day the taxpayers will wise up all around and realize that a two term politician is that and after two terms it becomes a dictatorship.... Madison the City taxpayers have somewhat wised up it started with the urns on top of the CVS and then the Peacocks that went all over the internet... Be careful Shadowfax the fleas are jumping off and I do not believe they will jump back on... So sorry to hurt your poor poor feelings.....

I never have understood all the moaning and groaning by folks who don't live in Madison. The mayor has been in this office for decades, literally built the town, has kept out carwashes, payday loan pawnshops and apartments; building ordinances have kept Madison from becoming another Pearl or an eyesore extension of Ridgeland, brought the only movie theatre this side of Pearl as well as many other desirable businesses, insists on nobody coming to town and financially ripping off the city, hell, I could go on for days. Construction in Madison and that part of the county have gone on non-stop for over twenty years. Give me a comparison in Mississippi of THAT. Why don't some of you moaners state your case. In real terms please. No straw dogs or ridiculous analogies.

But, back to Crosby. I don't know what Kroger pays him to pose as The Pillsbury Doughboy; but, I know of nobody else on earth who draws a paycheck at one place for hobknobbing for votes and pushing an engineer's agenda full time.

why does someone need to run against her? im from Jackson and i wouldnt want a nice surrounding suburb to go under like jackson has.. they got a good thing going, keep the train rollin

I lived in Madison and was once encouraged to run against Mayor Hawkins by a very important group of Madison the City and Madison county people. I opted not to run against her. There are a number of impostant people who will give you bucket loads of money to run against her. I had disagreements with her and from that they belived I would be a good canidate. Yes she has been at times too hard headed and in ways that did hurt the city but overall she has done a very good job I just might not agree with how she goes about it sometimes. Look at Ridgeland, there are junky apartments, houses and a miss mash of businesses and buildings. Then there is John Bell. I have nothing but good things to say about him, I certainly have never seen him as arogant, he is a a hard worker and maybe that is mistaken as uncaring. I am not "friends" with either but know each fairly well and will say this will be Marys first real apponent.

Crosby better be ready to abstain from a heap of votes over the next 18 months He's just big time painted himself into one whale of a conflict of interest corner with such an early announcement.

Mary gets what Mary wants. She's good at what she does, including not giving two shits about what people think outside of the city. That's why Madison is what it is today. The only ones willing to give bucket loads of money to her opponent are those who have a monetary interest in loosening restrictions. John Bell Crosby? No way. Not him, not anybody. If she wants to remain mayor, she will. It's that simple.

Say what you will about Mayor Mayor but she doesn't put up with any shit. I for one think she hung the moon! I grew up in South Jackson and moved out after college and have watched it go to HELL in a handbasket! Have lived in Madison for 15 years and don't plan on ever moving. If the only think I have to worry about is people getting bent of our shape over stupid ass peacocks and not people getting murdered on a daily basis. I am very happy to call Madison home!!!

Still waiting for those on the 'UNproud Mary' train to give their list of why she should not be mayor. So far we've heard 'she needs to go', 'may not like the way she does some things' and 'she doesn't give a shit what non-madisonians think'. Is that IT?

To 7:20: I'm nobody's pawn, including hers and have gotten up in her face more than once. But, that's what disagreements are for. Overall, I can't think of anything she's done that was not in the best interest of the city, including the peacock debacle, which, as Kingfish later pointed out, was probably based on the peacock woman's record of police interraction.

So, so far we have 'she don't give a shit about non madison'. Let me add that she's not a fan of Elvis Junior or Rudy. But, wait, those are positives.

[Ring, ring]

Crosby: Hello, this is John.

Caller: Hi John, this is David Nutt.

Crosby: Hi David. How goes it?

Nutt: Read this morning John that you are going to run for Mayor next year. I'd like to contribute to your campaign.

Crosby: Yes David I am. What a generous offer. Thank you.

Nutt: Listen John, while I have you on the phone. Remember that little zoning problem I have in Reunion .....

Queen Mary ROCKS.

If Mayor Mary isn't running then I'll run for Mayor...John Bell Crosby may have won the election thats because John Bell's opponent wasn't well known. Mary would clean John Bell Crosby's clock in a heart beat.

I bet Tim (Elvis) Johnson, and Rudy (The Playboy) Warnock is behind all this.

I've said that whomever promises to widen roads up there will win in a landslide. We know why Miss Mary won't do it.

I pay taxes and will be the first to say the traffic is horrible and being new to this area in general I was totally confused for months on how everything worked... I was told if it could not be bricked then that was the way it would have to stay. I believe the brick was a joke but sometimes I really wonder. I just know the safety of our families are very important in a school bus or car and the congestion is a hazard.

Shadowfax, We have a carwash in Madison the city--right in town--behind the McDonalds...of course it's the first all brick car wash I've ever seen.

If this is so, I predict Mary will announce her "retirement" and pull out right before the filing deadline, and in will walk Crosby, unopposed.

9:16

BINGO!!

Mary has done a great job in Madison and my neighborhood and me have been the beneficiary of her swift action and no bullshit approach to doing her job. She has a blindside though, and that is local business relations, she is too hard on legitimate, community oriented businesses. But despite that, she will have my vote mainly because she is a check and balance against developers, who are getting very desperate.

Shadowfax,

Isnt there a movie theater in Ridgeland at Northpark also? Anyways, lets get real people John Bell will be Mary's first real opponent and can beat her. There is a silent majority in Madison that hate how she has treated people during her reign. Look at these past elections to see how her power has waned. (And Don't say What about Tucker because she was only for him when she saw that the political winds were about to change).

I have lived in SC NC VA GA CA and now MS, every one of those states has a Madison. In order for quality of life to exist someone has to take the fall, usually its the local leaders. Sometimes it the Town and sometime its the County,, and I have never ever found a place that is 100% in lock step with the powers that be.

I live here and love it, do I agree with all that the City does, no.The city made an awful mistake by saying we will put rooftops in before roads, today with each rooftop come what, 3.4 cars! But show me a better option. John Bell I think would not be a viable mayor, he is fine as my grocer but not as my mayor.

2:41
yeah, there's a place that shows movies at Northpark. Good luck getting in there past all the thugs, pimps, and ho's. It reminds me a lot of the way the movie theater at Metrocenter went down before they razed it. Matter of fact, Northpark has that Metrocenter feel more and more every time I go in there.

Where do I start? Lesee ~ Micah Gober; You really think Tim and Rudy are behind this Crosby thang? No shit! You didn't stay up last nite to come to that conclusion didja?

Next we have "Mary won't widen a road (and, pssst, you know why),no, why numbnuts? And traffic is tough. Yeah, that's what happens when you have a tremendous surge of people moving in, everybody headed to and from work in other cities at the same time, vendors serving store fronts and goobers driving through to take a look or take a leak. This is a very unusual city, the only one in the state with constant and increasing construction and expansion for a solid twenty year period. Same with schools. No damned way to predict how many hundreds the head count will increase next August.

Carwash? Sure, we have one. It looks sort of like a discreet doctor's clinic and not a scintilla of trash anywhere near it! She even made the owner switch out the yellow caps on the vacuum machines for a more pleasant blue color. The car wash she kept out was the one suggested several years ago at 'Sledge Corner', just another Canton or Ridgeland car wash where crack heads could change their oil and chill to the sound of Peacock inspired HO-Music. But, sorry, not in Madison dude! There are carwashes at Texaco and Shell at 55 as well, but they're well built, properly maintained, landscaped and often they even operate.

Next we have 'someone' saying "She's treated people poorly and there is a picture show in Ridgeland". State some facts! What were the issues and what were the rulings? Being treated 'poorly' is a relatively lame comment. And, as someone else posted, you cannot attend a movie at Northpark without endangering your wife, date or children, not to mention your hubcaps. Every fifth car you pass in Madison has a PD emblem on it.

As all of us in the private sector have always known, it's all about results. Look at Mary Hawkins' results, Then let's talk. Oh, but I hate that makeup and the red shoes she wears some Thursdays. BULLSHIT!

Somebody's panties are in a bunch. Pick 'em out already. C'mon Mary is the Queen! And I'm sure a good sport too.

4:30 :: Why should a mayor be involved in the color of the caps on carwash vacuum cleaners? Sounds like a centrally planned economy. Commie.

Mayor Mary is the best----since 1981 life has been good in Madison---Why would you want to change

I have lived in Madison as long as I have anywhere else. From the late 1980's, Madison has been a poor town. Remember all the money wasted fighting the ECOL service station because they installed their sign before the sign ordinance. They weren't going to take it down simply because Mary said so.

Remember when the only businesses in town were C-Stores and gas stations? What was funny about that is after Madison the City Chamber of Commerce was formed, there was a big letter sent out saying that C-stores weren't welcomed in Madison.

Then there was the Walmart thing. But I guess when your hubby is facing possible jail time for the Nissan land fraud, you change your mind so you can pay the lawyers.

I remember when the city was too broke to pay for maintaining city streets. It was something I learned after blowing out a tire after hitting a pothole. Maryville. Queen Mary.

Her sign nazis drove the Strawberry Cafe owners out of business. Drive by from the west next time and see if you see them from the road.

But the funniest thing that I ever witnessed in Madison was the departure of Entex Gas (now CenterPoint Energy). They had outgrown the itty bitty office on the drag and proposed to build a new place on Hwy 51. They had just built a place in Crystal Springs and used the same plans in Madison. After all, it would be bad business to leave town.

Plans were submitted to the city and soundly rejected. Thus, they moved from Madison to Ridgeland. And there they stay.

Have you ever noticed how the businesses avoided Madison for years? It was no coincidence that you could tell the city limits by the farm land. The only good thing about her giving in to Walmart (Madison really was for sale after all) is that other businesses that had no where else to go came to Madison. Too bad Highland Colony Shopping Center is in Ridgeland and not in Madison. Is it a shock that it is?

Eventually Mary will retire. And when she does, the new king will be anointed to undo all her stuff that has stifled the snobby town.

Remember: She lied her rear end off about the peacocks. 1st, it was about a tacky decoration depreciating property values. Next it was safety. Then no permit was used. Lastly it was that peacocks weren't a decoration for Christmas. Only after the embarrassment of national attention did she flip (and flip she did).

Mary, I appreciate what you did. But by doing what you did, you have killed this town. Sure, builders want in (those willing to pay the extortion), but that isn't enough to pay for all the nice city services. Neither are the "tax revenues" from all the people that work out of their homes.

It is time for new blood. Unfortunately, John Bell Crosby isn't an improvement.

She is twisted, crooked, manipulative and a liar. She lines folks up to help her get what she wants and if it doesn't work out, she throws them under the bus. Do a little research on
Frances Roehrig. Dont think for minute she didn't have something to do with that.

Urns, columns and bricks are just elementary things to fuss about when it comes to her. She ruins people's careers and reputations.

When she came to power back in the 80's she had a board of Aldermen who each had their own voice and opinion. She picked them off one at a time by spreading lies. It's either her way or the highway. Ever since then she has hand picked each bottom to sit on the seats next to her at the table. That way she can get what she wants. And she does.

I've been in Madison a long time and have watched her do her thing. Don't get me wrong, Madison is a great town with great schools and people. But she sure chose extremely shady and frankly illegal ways to get there.


http://mortgagefraudblog.com/perp-walk/item/9865-deflated_appraisals_defraud

There is so much about the Queen and more and more will come out! She has the last say and soon everyone will see the truth. Above someone said two terms for Mayors and yes I agree with that too. Power corrupts, I always thought politicians lived in a glass house, not today they are all in brick houses! No pun intended for the city of bricks.

8:43 Dude Strawberry Cafe just re-opend afer a major remodel!

If everything else you wrote is a wrong as the Cafe crap, you fail!

Results. Results. Results.

1. Drive down 80 in Pearl.
2. Drive down 51 in Ridgeland.
3. Drive any street in Madison.
4. Choose your town.

And don't you be tawkin' to ME about knickers in a wad, Mr. Kangaroot. I'm proud O me knickers and the colors were approved by the committee.

I ate at strawberry cafe, they are lackluster and way overpriced.

Strawberry cafe was an awful example. They are overpriced and mediocre.

Sorry I see that 8:18 and I think alike.

12:06. The original owner went out of business in the 90's. The second owner also went out of business in the 90's. When you grt your head out of your backside and look itup, you see i am very accurate. I happen to know this from my friendship with them. And their complaints were about the sign restictions. Did you drive in and see the sign? No, you didnt. And regarding the rest of my post, it is completely accurate. If you do not think so, ask Lisa Clingon Smith her opinion of Entex. When she was still married to Karl, they did some work for him. They did a bad job. When she told me she was glad they left town, she was the only person that has a legit reason for it.

And if you think i am wrong about them moving to Ridgeland, ask Gayle H or Tina L of Centerpoint

Please do not forget the episode with Chili's. T here logo the red chili pepper was not allowed because it gave Mary heartburn. So they, corporate could not use it on their signage. Also we would have had a Target four years ago but Mary did not like the red bullseye, she liked the silver bullseye. So now I have to drive to Flowood to shop at Target, so by the way since I am already there in Flowood I shop all the stores in Flowood. I do not shop at the I-55 Target I just do not feel it is safe. So my tax dollars are going to another county just because of the corporate logo. Tell me now what that decision did for us?

Tick Tock ~ Dayz Pass and Time Moves On.

Still, all we have is a few knuckleheads who either suggest:

*Just wait. You will see. It will all come out.

or

*She was mean to me one time and doesn't like Tim Elvis.

or

*She is manipulative, tells some lies and gets what she wants.

OK............

results, results, results.

Who gives a rat's ass about Entex or Strawberry?

So 5:26 you want a business telling the little towns folk they are going to do it their way and the little towns folk can kiss there rear. Nice, Madison, Mississippi is not going to be like everywhere else in anyway. We don't play that game. If a business wants to move here to Madison that fine, but they are going to abide by the architecture codes that we have in place. If you don't like that just move. We don't want negative people like you.

6:30 and Micah,

What you need to understand is that Mary did not get all those ordinances passed by herself. It was the group of Aldermen from the 80's that designed all of that.- you are right about that 9:00- She is not responsible for all of the good things that Madison represents. She takes the credit for it. John Bell could run things just as smoothly at this point. The ordinances are made. It is just a matter of following them without being so manipulative and frankly ridiculous.

As a mother I appreciate what she has done and does for the city. This is a great place to raise my children. It is safe, attractive and clean. But I refuse to allow her to take all the credit and for those who have not lived here for 30 years to give her the credit. Madison is the way it is because of ordinances that were developed decades ago. New blood can enforce them just as well as she does but with less malice.

5:26- I could care less about Chili's pepper. Their service is terrible, and I wish it wasn't here.

And as far as Target goes, I'm glad it is not here. Wal-mart has brought a ton of GROSS people into Madison. Much of the crime that happens in Madison happens in that parking lot. If I absolutely have to go to Walmart, I have to choose a time of day that is safe. Sometimes I go all the way to Brandon. It is safe over there. Keep Target over there on County Line where the crime is.

10:57, ironically all your precious ordinances do is raise the cost of business so that the only ones that can afford to take those into account are the big boys like chili's or Walmart. Or the people willing to pay off city hall to look the other way.

And that's why the 19th amendment was a huge mistake.

I hope some of you posting here don't actually vote----A lot of the comments express bitterness and anger---Madison is a fine place to live and you should be proud of it---whether you like the mayor personally or not does not matter----She has made this city what it is with strict regulations and control and I would not want it to be any other way ...

630. Who cares about entex or the strawberry cafe
. Think of all the tax revenues lost because of policies

11:29; if all ordinances do is raise prices, can you take a moment and explain how it is that the prices of all these businesses in Madison is identical to the prices of their sister stores in Jackson and Flowood?

There's not a business in Madison that's been required to abide by the requirements that has prices one nickle higher than anywhere else.

As I travel I see Dollar General stores suddenly dotting the county landscape, pawn shops and payday loan storefronts up and down the major corridor of most every town. There's chicken stores, rib shacks and people selling bait right next to the motor oil. And you can even by a casket from the 'We Deliver' guy. You can wash your car with the two dollar wand while your neighbor adds transmission fluid in the next bay and leaves the plastic jug in a heap of condom wrappers and McDonald's sacks.

Face it; we have allowed Mississippi in general to become a shit heap of garbage, litter, trash and tacky signage. I'm glad Madison still has an urge to exercise some control and good sense. Y'all Come!

Grade school economics Shadowfax. The big box stores can afford to spread the higher prices across the region or nationally. But you would be surprised how prices can vary based on a number of factors including the amount and distance of the competition. The mom and pop start ups cannot do this -- they have to compete with the big box stores. They can't charge wildly more or you and everyone else will go across the street. That means their margins are thinner and therefore more likely to go out of business if they hit a rough patch. And kids, that's the reason why I almost always have to go to Ridgeland or Jackson to get a good meal.

As an aside, in the Lord of the Rings, Shadowfax is lord of horses. He does not tolerate saddle or bridle but carries Gandalf by choice. In contrast Mary, Queen of Madison, has got you saddled and riding you but good. Just how you like it?