Monday, December 30, 2013

Public records updates

Looks like the new regimes have some learnin' to do about public records laws.

JJ submitted public records requests to the city of Jackson for police incident reports for Senator John Horhn's DUI arrest, and any prior arrests and convictions, if any existed.  JJ also requested the police incident report for a liquor store on Medgar Evers Boulevard.

The city's response? Nothing.  The attorneys for the city will not respond to phone calls or emails.  Requests fall into a black hole.  The law states in no uncertain terms that any denial and the reason for the denial must be stated in writing.  JPD attorney Latrice Westbrook refuses to comply with the law and provide a reason for no action to the Horhn requests.  She simply states in an email to the clerk she is not approving them. Period. That's it.  Public records laws be damned.  Never mind the Ethics Commission ruled directly on point.  Phone calls to City Attorney Gail Lowery have been placed but to no avail, as she refuses to return phone calls.   Apparently the Lumumba administration forgot it operates under the laws of Mississippi and instead is making up its own as the Republic of Kush.

I used the word "regimes".   JJ also submitted a public records request over a month ago to Jackson State University for correspondence with organizations responsible for the hosting of Brazilian students.  That request fell into a black hole as well.  The attorney for JSU is the brother of Precious Martin.  Apparently JSU thinks it is operating by a different set of laws as well.

Just a post to keep you updated on what is going on behind the scenes.  Long-time readers, I don't have to say it, do I?

Posted by Kingfish at 11:31 AM

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

They need transparency!

December 30, 2013 at 12:16 PM
Anonymous said...

So when are you filing a motion to compel?

December 30, 2013 at 12:40 PM
Anonymous said...

It is likely that JSU did not fund the Brazil deal on their own. If you have an idea of any Federal agency that may have helped fund it, you could make a slew of FOIA requests to various Federal agencies.

Ask for any and all documents including electonic emails that although may have been deleted from an employee's mail account, woudl be available in agency back up files which were saved in accordance with IT procedures.

Also ask for any and all electronic fiscal files. The agency may not have detailed project files, but they will have fiscal files with a project description, pertinent dates, etc.

The DUI thing, the only FOIA request to a Federal agency I can think of would be to NHTSA... They likely would have nothing on this case in particular. However, for future reference, NHTSA provides funding to MHP for many initiatives, including DUI and Click-It-Or-Ticket campaigns/check points. It is possible they have detailed records....

Then again NHTSA was the agency that funded the $1 mil no-bid emergency ADVERTISING contract for MS DPS. In most cases, a State Agency is required by statute to get permission in writing from the Federal agency's juristictional administrator to allow an emergency no-bid contract. For MS, that would be the NHTSA Regional Office in Atlanta.

December 30, 2013 at 9:42 PM
Anonymous said...

To get records from the city and local public school district you have to go by the clerks office several times for the city and file friendly motions as a simple inquiry. An informal visit to the City Attorneys Office. A couple of calls to the specific departments in question. The Jackson School District takes frequent visits, notes under the door, a couple of emails,...you get the idea. The school attorney finally sent the document and said the legal contract was for my eyes only and that it could not be copied or shared. Both public offices strung me out for several weeks...way beyond the deadlines.

December 31, 2013 at 10:19 PM

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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.