Jackson Jambalaya

No surprise here, no need to waste your time gawking,,,,move along now children. :)

done via "emergency" contract...at what point is buying media ads an emergency for a State agency?

No matter what Tater thinks about Albert Santa Cruz the boys at Frontier think he is the best. Makes you wonder if the Gov is really the one making sure they get their fair share. They always say being a best man last a life time.DPS, DMR, Lynn Fitch all make for a good Christmas at Frontier while the rest of us only get Festivus

Fitch used MPACT monies to pay Frontier to redesign the Treasury website. That money was to be used for MPACT only - read the contract. She used "TRUST FUND" monies to benefit her whole agency. I think she needs to personally pay it back into the MPACT trust fund!

this is only the tip of the iceberg with Frontier. If you keeping digging, it gets even better. They also had one with DMR.

All Govs help those who got them elected; this is no different..

there will be stuff on Fitch that will surface in the February time frame that will curl toenails with repubs all over the state. If tate could find a credible opponent for her in 15, she'd lose bad.

Can anyone explain to me how this keeps happening? Nobody cared that Austin and Henry got rich by uncle haley and apparently no one cares that josh and company are getting rich from bryant. This is beyond sad. Thanks for having the nads to publish!!!

More from Mississippi's fake-conservative, anti-free market Republican officeholders. Holler and scream about big heavy-handed Washington DC spending and liberals all the while you suck money from the Feds like the snake's-belly leeches that you really are and give the dough to your sycophant buddies.

Obviously this is an 'emergency contract' since JJ has already announced what has been paid so far in 2014.

4:02, true that and I'm even an R. This is disgusting on every level I can think of. Glad to see Fitch in trouble, she's no Republican.

Fitch is a goner - she has no idea about the law in regard to MPACT. She has been going all over the state telling MPACT contract owners have nothing to worry about - that their contracts are safe and sound - that they are backed up by the "full faith and credit" of the State of Mississippi. What the law does say is that if your child is within 5 and I repeat five years from going to college, the contracts are backed by the "full faith and credit" of the State of Mississippi. All other contracts will be refunded and the amount of interest paid is WHAT A BANK IS PAYING ON SAVINGS ACCOUNTS - which is next to nothing. MPACT contract owners better be contacting the Senators and Representatives and urge them to consider moving MPACT - maybe to the College Board or another agency that could reopen MPACT and run it like it needs to be run!

6:08, this is a big deal. This needs to be cleared up real quick.

Anyone think this will be mentioned by Supertalk, Pep, or Y'all?

Pender won't because then he would get his access cut off.

I'm confused Lynn has been treasurer for two years. Is it her fault MPACT is going under or the former treasurer who managed the program for 8 years. Please clarify

Josh and Quinton are good guys and very talented. I'm sure they will make good ads and the money will be well spent. Honestly the money was going to be spent with some advertising company.

their problem was this was a no bid contract. if they would have won it via an RFP this would be 100% clean. it is still likely clean, but just looks bad.

again, these are good guys. Just be smarter next time.

http://photos.gulflive.com/mississippi-press/2012/05/jolly_fitch_1.html Here is a picture of Fitch's brain trust and major supporters for Lt. Gov.

As sure as Gregg Harper is about to bury his nose up Boehner's ass and take this country deeper into debt you can be sure KF that our statewide GOP media trough feeders -- that is Gallo in the middle -- are not going to touch this Frontier story. Nor, I suspect, will the braying Donkey media and certainly not the alternative haters.

More from the Fitch brain trust http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/07/scott_walker_fellow_republican.ht

8:36, you are correct in that this money would have been spent with some ad agency. And Josh/Quentin are talented guys and do good work.

Further correct that the (a) problem here is that this is a no bid contract. There is no emergency here - everybody has known that Labor Day and Christmas/New Year comes around at the same time every year.

But a much bigger problem that is going to be opened up is the MDA advertising contract mess. Much more money involved, and while that contract was "bid" - at least, kinda - it covers a real scandal. Not all on the up-and-up. Sit back and watch - that circus hasn't unfolded yet. But when it does there are several of these players that Ricky would say will 'have some ;splaining to do'.

Recently at the Sheriff's Association meeting, they gave him hell. Really did. Did not go well for Cruz at that meeting at all. Didn't help his cause when he asked about where the good hunting land was as the word on the street is if you want to get something out of him, you have to take him hunting or tell him where the good spots are.

http://www.sunherald.com/2013/12/10/5184940/riverside-senior-housing-opens.html Here is more money given to Frontier's Joe Cloyd by the MDA. Funny how no info is available about this project on the MDA website while all other CDBG housing projects are listed. This real estate development was funded as a Long Term Workforce Housing Project and was built as an age restricted rental community. You do not even need to ask how the private market rate properties can compete with a subsidized $15 million MDA to Frontiers Cloyd gift.

Is Tate the only grown up we have? MS republicans are not doing themselves any favors. They are just democrats who want to win.

We need real fiscal "physical" conservatives....

Albert Santa Cruz can do no wrong.
He was appointed by Haley and had to be reappointed by Phil since
Phil owed Haley for his victory. We were duped into believing that
Phil was going to appoint a man of
honor as Public Safety Commissioner, namely Toby Trowbridge. However, I have come to believe that Trowbridge is too
honorable to serve in such a low-life administration such as Phil's. I suppose he didn't suck up enough or give enough money to
Phil's campaign.

I personally know Toby and I can assure you he is just as low down as everyone involved in this no-bid contract. He is your typical multi millionaire that treats friendships as businesses deals. If you can't help him he will disown you. Just ask anyone that worked for him at the Madison County Sheriffs Dept.

http://www.wlox.com/story/24186976/county-leaders-say-section-42-tax-revenue-is-a-significant-issue This news clip tells the real story about all subsidized housing like Frontier Cloyd's Riverside. They are wreaking havoc on counties throughout the state because they pay almost nothing in property taxes. They take taxpayer funded handouts and further punish us by not paying an appropriate amount taxes to cover basic costs of service.

We really need some of this to get picked up in other forums. There has always been corruption, but it is an epidemic within the Republican Party right now. The only real difference between Republicans and Democrats at this stage is which set of friends is getting rich off of John Q. Taxpayer. To the poster who indicated that Henry and Austin were got rich off of Haley and now Frontier was getting rich off of Phil. The two groups are not mutually exclusive. Frontier got rich off of Haley, too. And Henry and Austin are still making money, too. Both are associated with Tate.

Wait.... I have a vision of one of these anti-DUI ads now... It is a rainy, foggy night and people are leaving a Christmas party at the Governor's Mansion.... camera pans up the drive as the dialogue begins,
Man's voice: "I'll drive"
Woman's voice: "No, I'll drive"
Man's voice: "I'll drive because I got Phil the money for this ad"
Woman's voice: "No, I'll drive because I have a lot of experience at drunk driving"
Credits roll:
Man: Haley Barbour
Woman: Karen Irby

Phil is infamous for making promises for political favors and then forgetting the promise. Every position he's filled was likely promised to at least three candidates.

What was it about my other post that wasn't acceptable for the board? The reference to Henry and Austin being associated with Tate?

Your right 10:46, he always makes promises then leaves Lucien and Kirk to back track. He did it as lt gov and seems to be worse as guv.

And careful10:55 notice Austin and Tate are now advertisers on Kingfish. He isn't going to let you post stuff about them. Similar to Davenport and buying ads from him.

10:44, You have lost your damn mind if you think Quinton and Josh are getting $ off of Tate. There is 0 love there.

If there could only all get together and share a double cheeseburger or five all would be well.

10:55: What are you talking about. Its up at 10:44 or so. Learn how to read instead of just bitch.

oh, and you left out Tate's sister in law. She's bought an ad on here as well. Democrats and Phil people are welcome to do so. I don't discriminate. Green is green.

Hot rumor... Frontier MDA contract shenanigans to undergo Auditor scrutiny...

How is it legal for Josh Gregory to pitch businesses that he can "get them MDA money" and then as a consultant to MDA and Gov. Bryant help direct that money to those paying clients? Seems corrupt. And likely illegal. There should be a full investigation.

I do not think Stacey Pickering will ever audit Frontier/MDA about anything. What also needs to be fully investigated is how Frontier Gulf Coast's Joe Cloyd was able to arrange the $10,000,000.+ in CDBG funds from the MDA for the out of place Riverside development in D'Iberville, Ms. Did Josh Gregory work his connection magic to make this happen? Did Michael Janus or Scott Walker get paid or have anything to do with getting all the city/county/state/DMR approvals needed? What kind of "management" fees were paid with public money to this group of grubbers? What is the exorbitant amount of and who gets the money from the property which I have been told is leased to the nonprofit involved? The public has a right to know just exactly what has gone on with this group of public money predators. Here we have what was funded as Long Term Work Force Housing and is now an age restricted retirement community. When did subsidized housing warrant 9'ceilings,granite counter tops, salt water pool at a waterfront location? When will the Condo conversion take place? Why is there no available information about this development like other CDBG funded projects on the MDA website? Enquiring taxpayers want to know or is all of this hidden from view for a reason? We should all demand answers about how our money is being spent.

Haley was shuffled around in older explorers. Phil would have nothing to do with these and wanted a brand new loaded suburban but being the man of the people didn't want it on his budget. Santa Cruz used DPS money to buy it for him. Phil appoints santa cruz. Phil visits Dps sees neat gun safe. Highway patrol buys him one. Malvaney is big oil spill contractor. gives big to phil and haley. santa cruz lives on malvaney property rent free. Myers was phils security. Jumps several positions to Lt. Col. now 3 or 4th in commnd at DPS. It not just DPS phil does this everywhere in the state and some would make you cry. But legislature will not do anything because MHP/DPS drives them all to meeings sober or not and MHP/DPS is the govenors agency.

I bet DPS is not worried about getting any budget past Tater because they know the Governor while probably make up whatever money is cut from some special discretionary funds. Malvaney has really got a nice place that is frequented by many "guests" in Ms.state government. I would venture to say he has no fear of getting a ticket from the Ms. Highway Patrol. I once went to a political function there that Malvaney hosted for you know who. The man has been a real success coming from a humble beginning After shedding the sheets his first job with the state was at the Ms.DMR and then on to the Ms.DEQ. Now he entertains those at the very top of state government. I bet he can get his way with just about anybody/anything in our great state.

7:17 John Horhn evidently didn't get the free pass from DPS for his free ride... Say it ain't white legislators only.....

http://yallpolitics.com/index.php/yp/post/36548/ Did anybody get an invite to the "Creative Economy" shindig last night with the governor? Great piano playing by Bruce Livingston had the windows shaking and the supporters swaying at the mansion. Like in the song "Piano Man" the regular crowd shuffled in.

You need to add Lynn Fitch's name in with Malvaney. When she went to the Neshoba County Fair, she was escorted by two plains clothes Highway Patrolmen. The taxpayers paid for her ride to the fair! Mississippi law provides that onlt the Governor and Lt. Governor are entitled to protection! Where is the AG - he needs to look into this!

As I slowly sipped my Jak and water in the bar at a Jackson hotel I overheard a conversation between two people, a short man and a taller woman, she being blond and he with grey hair. They spoke of state politics and about current politicians that she works with. They discussed future political opportunities she may pursue. He offered to put together the necessary money for her to run for Lt. Governor. She indicated she would put some thought into it. I finished my drink and as I walked past them I realized I knew her who she was and later saw a picture of him online. Guess who they were.

DPS has three people whose primary job is to drive politicals around the state so Fitch is no exception. As far as Horne he was in Jackson but was given a pass but he refused to take it. Don't know how many regular people were ever given the options to call someone for a ride home.

There is also a top official at Medicaid who is barely in his 30's maybe. His only experience was as intern for Thad. His family gave and arranged money for phil through Viking. So now there is someone with very little experience helping run a large state agency but who cares its just money.

4:30pm My guess is Mary Hawkins and Steve Patterson

Nope. Not one word on Y'all.

Frank Corder is afraid to offend the R support structure. Sort of the same way he discouraged any participation thru comments by others with different views on his dying blog. All he does is repeat what is already part of the news cycle, no original content or opinions allowed and all info included must be approved by a solid R committee. He could not even win an election in Republican dominated Pascagoula during the last cycle. That should say something about his level of respect as a politico because of his very stale ideas.

Mississippi lags behind in a whole lot of measures. But flashy MHP vehicles ain't one of them. Every time there was an MSU home game, I enjoyed watching those striking, grey, blue pin striped Tahoes with light bars and a variety of hidden flashing lights overtake me going at least 90. Really, those are nice rides. And the smaller trooper cars in gun-metal grey ain't no slouches either.

They spend too much money on that shit. The only way for the legislature to get retribution is refusing to fund a trooper class.

I can't wait for Head's group to put our first (openly) gay gov in office. Can't wait to see how he/she will update the motor pool or what the color theme will be. (Good idea for a poll contest Kingfish).

Damnation: My robot proof word is 'lowcock'. I swear.

7:17,

Haley wasn't shuffled around in older explorers. He had an Infiniti as his primary. Phil has a suburban, though I don't see anything sinister about the Exec Protection Division at DPS purchasing that. I'm sure they purchased all the vehicles the First Lady, Lt Gov, and Speaker ride in (some of which are new and some of which are quite old).

I don't have direct knowledge of the gun safe incident but would seriously doubt that MHP footed the bill for that, if the safe exists.

Is there a prohibition against Malvaney allowing SC to stay at his place?

Myers got promoted but I don't know anyone that will call his promotion "jumping 3 or 4 positions." He is the bear thing DPS has going right now.

MHP doesn't drive Legislators to meetings.

8:36,

Next, the Gov has no discretionary funds.

Many people entertain Gov't officials all the time. Malvaney is no exception. Nothing illegal there.

11:12,

I'm pretty sure Lynn gets a car anyway, so we are paying for her transportation all the time; not just at the fair. Also, it is common for extra Exec Protection to be present in places with large numbers of elected officials, such as the fair.

6:37,

They have a lot more than three. Lt Gov has three to himself...

6:43,

The guy at Medicaid knows his stuff.



I'll admit there is plenty of room for criticism at DPS. But y'all aren't criticizing the points where they are really screwing up.

Sort of the same way he discouraged any participation thru comments by others with different views on his dying blog.

It is Lange's dying blog that Corder is "editing". Lange has his nose shoved up GOP butts like Harper has his up Boehner's.

Well 7:50 enlighten use on Dps real screw UPS. that would be a long list. You can start with the head of accounting who only by agreement works one day a week comptroller

I was a huge fan of YP for many many years. Was an excellent blog with some incredible reporting and comments.

when comments where halted and facebook started, the website went down. Then it started looking like it was being sponsored by one political party. The hard hitting reporting stopped. Made me very sad.

I have no issues with Alan or Frank. Alan busted his butt during the Scruggs stuff and during election cycles--it was incredible.

When you stop covering the news and reporting on issues relating to all of us (not news by political party division that comes across as a place for certain people to post their press releases), then stop folks from getting involved in the stories by screwing up the comments, then you are going to suffer.

I know how good that website was. That's why it makes me sad now. Perhaps its evolved into what they want it to be. If so, good for them. But I'll always remember the work Alan did for several years, uncovering money trails in elections, relationships in politics, and Scruggs. It was fantastic. And it was not in competition with JJ, so to speak. JJ had and still does its own incredible reporting on great stories (and a way to grab a story and not give up when roadblocks are put up that is equal to a pissed off pitbull-just fantastic). The places to go were JJ, YP, and NMC, from folo to his own website.

Can't thank you enough, KF, for JJ and the work you have done and continue to do.

I think that thanks go to Jackson Jambalaya, Slabbed, Sun Herald and Topix for bringing the news to the people and allowing them to comment and offer information on these scandals. Especially in the case of the DMR and Stacey Pickering.
Recently, the Sun Herald has stopped people from blogging incognito by making them post through FaceBook. BIG, BIG Mistake! I predict that they will pay dearly for that move and begin to go down like YP did when they stopped people from giving opinions and information without fear of reprisal. Time will tell

Two thumbs up on the demise of YP. What it used to be and what it has become are miles apart.YP is no longer worth a click of my mouse. I remember the lame excuse for no longer allowing comments in the same manner. You got just what you asked for Frank.

Lange turned off the comments @ YP soon after he got caught in the middle of the SB2991 debacle.

This damn thread got way off the point of FS getting no bid contracts, all the time under the Guvnah.........

I agree. Lets get back to the Frontier boys and how they are vultures circling the emergency contracts and MDA money.

Plus, go easy on Fitch, someone in her office told me recently she only works 8 or 10 hours a week.

Maybe she has a home office or she has been spending a lot of time at Frontier's office strategizing about her next political campaign which I hear rumors will be for Lt. Gov. They owe her a big one for that last contract she sent them but forgot to cancel when that program got cancelled. For a some soft playing backround music at Frontier's office I recommend "This is an Emergency". That would play real damn well.

I guarantee you that Tate Reeves HOPES Lynn Fitch runs against him. There is so much material on her big-spending, big-government ways, not to mention the college savings fund debacle - it would be a complete slam dunk for Tate. AND - it would get her out of state government, which would be a GIFT to all taxpayers of MS. She better be worried about a primary herself for Treasurer. I hear there are some deep pocketed potential candidates looking hard at the race.

11:31 I bet Lynn Fitch has the governor behind her because he wants to get Tater out of his way. She has Frontier that is just an Emergency Contract away from being considered "deep pockets". They will dispatch Joe Cloyd from their Gulf Coast Division to run interference and hold fundraisers in South Mississippi. She has George Malvaney who is maybe the biggest money bundler in the state and has the ability to bring to the race some very savory voters including past members of the Democratic Party that have now retired from the KKK. Watch for the activity to begin soon.

Anybody heard abour the big party Phil's "son" had at the mansion last March. It was at Mal's St. Patrickl's Day parade. I heard that the police had to tell them to quiet it down. They were about 30 "boys" running in and out. Phil and Debra were out of town.

I guess with today's news that ranks Mississippi as being third in the nation for having the worst drivers will allow the Public Safety director A.E. Santa Cruz to award an emergency contract to Frontier for millions to start a new public relations campaign to get the increase in new highway patrol officers and training for the existing that he wants. New patrol cars for all!! Tis the season for giving. Time to upgrade those custom made parachutes in the Frontier company plane Captain Josh.