Monday, March 11, 2013

Barksdale, Speed, & Palmer: Move DOR downtown

A Letter to the Taxpayers of Mississippi:

In March of 2011, news leaked out that the Department of Revenue (formerly the State Tax Commission), was planning on constructing a $50 million dollar edifice in pristine, wooded state owned property on Lakeland Drive. The new building would have been funded through a state backed bond issue. Public outcry resulted in a reevaluation of not only this location, but the entire process involved regarding state owned and leased office properties. A law was passed creating a specific website listing any leasing opportunities which has resulted in more transparency and fewer surprises in the procurement process.

Additionally, the State then entered into a contract with Cushman and Wakefield (C&W), an internationally renowned real estate consulting firm from Atlanta, Georgia. C&W was hired to evaluate all potential properties in the Jackson area and to recommend the best location for the Department of Revenue (DOR) to the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). After an exhaustive process, the top 4 choices were:

1. Landmark Center- lease (Downtown)
2. Landmark Center (purchase)
3. Regions Plaza- lease (Downtown)
4. South Pointe- leases (Clinton).

Shortly after these findings, Kevin Upchurch, the Executive Director of the DFA, sent a letter to then Governor Barbour recommending that the state go forward with either leasing or purchasing the Landmark Center Downtown for the new offices of the DOR. Governor Barbour then wrote the legislature recommending this location as well. The vote to approve was 52-0 in the Senate. However, the Speaker did not allow a vote on the bill so it died in the House. Politics had reared its head, and the “site reset button” was pushed.

Since that time, the purchase price of the Landmark Center had dropped from $14.1mm to $7.4mm. Realizing that (and realizing the purchase of the building was number 2 in the C&W study) and ascertaining what impact this would have on the prior study, Downtown Jackson Partners entered into a contract with Millsaps College’s Else School of Management for further analysis. This second study clearly indicated that purchasing the Landmark Center was the best use of taxpayer dollars and would save the State of Mississippi $30mm over the next 20 years.

Additionally, the Millsaps study was broader in scope than the C&W report, as it illuminated the abundance of office space the State leases per employee. Compared to the GSA federal standards (218 rentable square feet per employee) and to the states of Texas (225 rsf per employee) and Virginia (222 rsf per employee), the state of Mississippi averages 323 rsf per employee which is almost 50% more than GSA, Texas and Virginia. Reducing the square footage of office lease space to the standards used by our federal government and these two states would result in an additional $5mm in annual savings.

Of course each city presenting a proposal would love to welcome the DOR as its new neighbors. Downtown certainly would, and relocating downtown would certainly help our challenged market. The real issue for all the taxpayers of the State, however, is prudent expenditure of our tax dollars. Two separate studies by two separate, reputable organizations, whose integrity cannot be challenged, have concluded the same thing. The Landmark Center Downtown is the clear choice. This is an important issue that doesn’t need to be determined by lobbyists or political favor. All of the above can be verified on the Downtown Jackson Partners website under “Articles of Interest”.

Sincerely,
Jim Barksdale John Palmer Leland Speed


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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
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