Jackson Jambalaya

I wonder where the people who use the airport live? Is there an equal number of fliers from Hinds, Madison, and Rankin counties? That may be the only way to be able to legally justify this type of change.

And yes, it seems like the airport managers have done a great job in a really tough market. Tough to get planes to land here when there's only a limited amount of aircraft and companies want the business travelers from Atlanta to NYC and other major markets who will pay more for business/first classes

Hope for the possible return of Southwest if we get a competent board.

Harkins bill is going to pass and pass handily. The die is cast.

Serious question, under what authority can the State of Mississippi take control of the Jackson airport? The simple fact that it is located in Rankin County is not a factor, since it was annexed long ago by the City of Jackson. How much of the airport's funds come from the state of MS? If the airport is owned by Jackson, how can the State just take it away? What basis does the State of MS have for controlling this airport? There has to be some legal basis here, right? I'm not trying to be a troll or say that the proposal is right or wrong, I'm curious but too lazy to do my own research.

I'm going to work on a column this weekend about the subject but I already see two flaws in the bill if it passes. Do you really want the governor appointing all seven members? Hell, just have a board of one and be done with it. I would rather see a board where the members are appointed by the member counties or cities as is the levee board. However, I think it should be weighted for population. That is predicated on if the bill passes.

Then there is the matter of the fact it is Jackson's land and property. Would this qualify as a taking without compensation?

Under what authority can the State of Mississippi take control over failing school districts? LEGISLATIVE authority. Pass legislation, get the Governor to sign it and BINGO, you have AUTHORITY.

Hypothetical oard problem is easily resolved. What problem does weighting solve?

JMAA is pretty much on a downward long term slide along with all other mid to small cities and non hub cities. Airlines are running record profits by merging, cutting service, and getting rid of regional aircraft, all while loving the crappy hub system. Hartsfield is killing the Deep South. It's a Delta monopoly.

Look at what you fly in now. Ancient 717 aircraft, bought for as little a 7 million and refurbished to give you that odd zig zag and numbering system going from row 4 to row 10. 32 inch seats crammed in. Bigger aircraft that must be filled. those were built for lovely Valujet (crash!!) and then AirTran. That's right. We get AirTran leftovers with a refurb and crammed in seats. Delta is buying more and more as they eat "value" airlines, and as "value" disappears from Southwest, etc.

No incentives for airlines to come to Jackson. As the "Gubmint" gets cut in funding to smaller airports, you can cut your excursion fare in half by driving 3 hours and not lose time as the airlines have padded flight times to avoid scrutiny.

So, you can fly out of Jackson at $500 a pop and 6 hours (or more) time, or drive 3 hours and save half in money and the time works out the same (directs to NY, MIA, etc.)

While the new guy is balancing the books, the slope in traffic is a downward spiral. Delta will continue to raise fares. Business slugs on the company dime will eat it, acting snotty cause they are airline slaves, but the fills with disregarded tourist fares will continue to decline. Drop below 85% and the flight is gone. If Memphis lost a hub, and New Orleans was never one, why would Jackistan succeed? Did Google just relocate here? Sudden burst of wealth and jobs? Nope. Just the Tea Party and Mayor Mary keeping it classy.

"Airlines have no strategic incentive to expand service at nonhub airports. They have had enormously profitable results ($7.3 billion last year) by merging, reducing routes and competition, carefully designing a commercial aviation system that depends on flying (and buying) bigger airplanes while mothballing many regional jets, and relentlessly adhering to a metric based on gaining every possible dollar from every mile flown.

From the perspective of domestic airlines, what is not broken does not need to be fixed. And from the perspective of many travelers in midsize markets, where the flight options at local airports have decreased while fares have gone up, a couple of extra hours on the highway to a bigger airport with far more choices and lower fares makes sense."

Essentially, the airlines have FIOd deregulation and returned small markets to be pre-deregulation era of high fares. To their profit. A return to equilibrium.

9:03, the state temporarily installs overseers in those school districts, but the local district still has ownership.

The airport sits on land in Ward 7 of the City of Jackson, and the buildings, attached fixtures, cars, equipment, etc. are still owned by the City of Jackson. Kingfish's question appears to be how does the state go in and take all of that from the City of Jackson without compensation.

Get the State to compensate Jackson for the land, etc and use the proceeds to fix infrastructure. That would be a big win for Jackson. The airport is not a revenue producing profit center. Operating the airport provides no economic boost to Jackson.

1) State legislation does not trump constitutional property rights.

2) Your school district example is fundamentally different. Education in MS has always been controlled by the State. See MS Code 37-1-1 (State Board of Education; Creation and Operation). The State can take over failing school districts because it created the school districts. By contrast, the airport is owned by Jackson. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't government funding from outside the City come from the federal government, not the State of MS?

Kingfish, I like you did a little research on JMAA and 2 things stood out in my brief review. Number 1, the board make-up is lacking. Presently on the board you have 5 members. Their background; one PHD in the educational field, 1 Pastor, 1 RN, 1 small business owner who is a retired civil service employee and one retired employee from the U.S. Probation office. What qualifications does this board have when it comes to airports and transportation? This is nothing but a yes board appointed by the City of Jackson. Another thing stood out and that was a special called meeting on December 11, 2015. The board is now getting into the business of economic development. At this meeting the board agreed to give Freedom Real Estate a 270 day option for $25,000 to explore a proposed 130 acre development in the area of Lakeland Drive and Airport Road. It was felt that this was in the best interest of JMAA and would help create economic development in the area. If the option is exercised the lease be for a period of 40 years. Supposedly, Freedom has already obtained 4 letters of intent to lease space in this planned 350,000-500,000 square foot development. It was a unanimous 5-0 vote to proceed with the option. So you now have a Jackson appointed board determining economic development projects for the City of Flowood and Rankin County. This was all done in one special called meeting. More questions needed to be asked by the board and those effected most by this project needed to have a voice in the process. It looks like this wasn't done.

You are right 9:25. Kingfish is worried about the Governor having sole authority over appointees and that would somehow be worse than the same authority now enjoyed by the Mayor of Jackustan.

Whether this session, or next, or the one after that. Within 4 years, no more Jackson control over the airport.

Isn't the issue with the airport a lot more about Jackson being a dwindling market as opposed to bad management? Put another way, are there any real implications for the average person who uses the airport? Southwest left and the other airlines have cut back, but it wasn't because of who was running the airport, was it?

And they are confirmed by the city council.

There is no Reverend on the board anymore.

oh, you meant Henley. He is a bankruptcy trustee, CPA, and Lawyer. Went to Butler Snow straight out of law school and was on law review.

A city as small and poor as Jackson is lucky to have the three legacy airlines, which will take anyone almost anywhere in the world they want to go to. I know of areas the same size and more prosperous with less service. The 717's are still relatively new and comfortable and will in Delta's fleet for 20 more years. I think our airport is run pretty well, and the state should stay out. We all know that Southwest only came because of Trent Lott and it couldn't make money in this small poor market.

This is all about who gets the jobs and contracts. Attorneys, bond attorneys, engineers, suppliers etc.

This is just like CLT Charlotte takeover battle. State sought to control airport, quickly passed legislation to take. USDC issued injunction. State repealed bill, but simultaneously passed bill creating regional commission. Still in court, with city arguing state constitution and court holding control under city over FAA certificate transfer from city to regional commission. Jacktown will do same under Obama FAA. Long term, I would guess the board would go the way of the Legislature eventually. This might be a car that the dog chases and catches and then doesn't know what to do with in a few years. Just seems to be a cash cow for the board's personal benefit, as always. As well as political fodder. I think the greatest example of a city having control of an airport outside its limits AND state is Cincinnati. Which also has declined under Delta being midsize.

If it is making a profit, the airport board can thank James Henley. He is a smart guy and has plenty of business sense. Additionally, he is a great leader.

on a side note, rather than getting all backed up like Kenify did, the City should consider letting the State have the airport. Apparently the building itself has some real value. Sell it to the State or Rankin or Josh Harkins or anybody who will buy it for fair market. Apply the proceeds to water and streets and thank them for bailing Jackson out of its infrastructure mess.

Jackson needs to downsize to parallel its declining population, which according to Gene McGee is moving to the apartments in Ridgeland.

If regional airports are in decline, and they seem to be, Jackson would be smart to sell it to the state.
Agree that the commission being appointed solely by the governor is foolish.

The City of Jackson can't really do a whole lot about this situation. JMAA is a state created entity that enjoys sovereign immunity like a state agency. It is not really owned by the City of Jackson.

10:28, by your logic, every piece of public property in the state is owned by the state, whether it be a public school building, city hall, fire department or municipal park, etc.

10:21, the airport was operating at a profit long before Henley came on board. He is an asset, but not the Savior.

This could be the first real step to save Jackson.Everyone talks about the State taking over the management of Jackson; this is how to do it and it has to happen while there is still a spark of life.The airport has lost it's professional management a year+ ago and now the consultants and board will kill it for the last golden egg.The city leaders will fight to retain the zoo, mass transit, schools,and anything else, good or bad for the City.

9:25, the property you discussed is located in the City of Jackson, Rankin County, not the City of Flowood. A special meeting only means that it is not a regularly scheduled meeting. The same notice requirements apply, so it is not an attempt to circumvent the normal public meeting process and hide the ball from you. JMAA is a public body and its meetings are open to the public. Therefore, you are free to go to the JMAA meetings and voice your opinion.

10:18 hit the nail on the head. This takeover attempt is about how the money flows from the airport to attorneys, consultants, contractors, etc.

This may be a chance for Jackson to do something for their city. Sell the airport. Use the money to rebuild the city. Then elect people who will actually run the city the way a city needs to be run.
Jackson will never get another chance to rebuild the crumbling city. Take that chance while it is still available.
My opinion is that Jackson will not sell but will fight a loosing battle and end up giving all the money they could have had to lawyers.

Jackson City Council confirmation is a meaningless joke instead of a check and balance. Mayor submits kooks for confirmation and the elected nutjobs on the Council confrm the kooks.

That makes sense ,10:28. If it is created by state law , it under the ownership of State. Cities in Mississppi do not have real home rule and most every big decision requires State approval.

Lost the professional management a year ago?

Prove it. Show me the numbers. By the way, Newman also appointed a manager to Hawkins field. It didn't have one before, oh it did, Mr. V, who ran it from Pearl and was not on site. It looks like it too. Posting a story about it Sunday or Monday as I spent some time out there yesterday.

The only reason you are saying it is because the current one is black.

It does not matter who appoints the new commission as long as it not the City of Jackson. Governor, Lt. Gov. and Speaker could all have a couple.

Mr. Henley does not manage day to day affairs. If he does then we should be concerned about the Board's overreach. Mr. Newman is a quality manager and a good man. I have no doubt that he is responsible for the turnaround amid SW departure. I hope whoever is in charge continues to keep him around. Credit where credit is due. That's no knock on Henley; but he is just a board member.

Thank you for the facts ,KF.

I would ask those arguing for gubernatorial appointments why they believe those appointed would be less political and have more expertise in running an airport successfully?

11:09, please see the Mississippi Home Rule statute at Miss. Code Sec. 21-17-3, which authorizes municipalities to adopt any orders, resolutions and ordinances not in conflict with state law. Though it is a legislative grant, municipalities are free to run cities as they see fit, with certain exceptions. Some activities are excluded by statute from Home Rule, but most every big decision definitely does does not require State approval.

Get your popcorn ready, folks. Kennuff & Friends are going to have field day with this. Race baiting at its finest.

11:34, good question . Will be political , airport management not required,larger pool to select from. State is not good but Jackson is worse.Everything touched by Jackson turns to crap. Jackson is created by State so what else can you do?

Delta charges so much, it's cheaper for me this spring to drive to Memphis & fly to D.C. from there than to fly out of Jackson. And our family from out west now fly in/out at NOLA. Decreased traffic, indeed.

Jackson went deep on red light cameras. How'd that work out @11:36 when the State came back after the fact and put the kibosh on them?

12:17, Jackson was among several cities that installed red light cameras. When they approved and installed the cameras, it was legal. The legislature changed the law and they were no longer legal. That's how legislative home rule works; the city can run the city how it desires unless and until the legislature says otherwise. What's your point?

I know just 2 years ago a JMAA board member showed up 30 minutes late for a meeting with an airline to replace Southwest and he was in a sweatshirt and basketball shoes walked in like he was on time and even continued to speak on his blue tooth for a minute or tw. Needless to say this led to some reform

Not true Home Rule. Much grey area that requires a legal opinion that usually goes against the City. If new money or taxes are in question getting legislative approval almost always happens. Cities spends millions on lobbing the law makers because their authority is needed. Point is the State of Mississippi can control the airport with 2 voted and a pen.

KF-good information, very informative. However, any assumption that the MS Legislature would care one bit about profit/mgmt/operations is laughable. The legislature is about control & money. Would they like to see it run even more efficiently? Possibly. However, Tate Reeves and his minions care more about control, power, & money. That's it. So, post all you want. Research all you desire. Wish all you can. End of the day: Tate sees a way to increase his power/control/authority, then one of his minions will introduce a bill, it will pass, & then we will live with the fallout. Sad, discouraging, but true. It'll be proven in a few short months.

OK, Why doesn't the City of Jackson lease the Airport to the State for a period of 10 years and lets see how it works. A Board or Autority or Commission being appointed by any one person is not good. The 1% tax commission, which I still believe is against the law, now has selected an engineering firm for project management who is certainly not known for economy and will only add a layer of expenses totally unnecessary to accomplish the tasks the City needs. These oversight committees are rip-off to taxpayers.

wrong, 2:00. The 1% commission has NOT selected an engineering firm of any kind. The Mayor and his administration selected a firm that they intend to pay with the 1% money. The City Council approved this firm on a 5-1 vote (Foote voting against). The only questions asked of the firm related to their minority participation of the firm and its subcontractors.

The Mayor has taken the position that the Commission has no authority in the selection of firms or the nature of their contracts. Something still to be determined if Mayor's opinion is in line with the statute. The Commission voted for the plan that included this firm on a 6-4 vote, with the Mayor's minions and his staff providing the votes for this extra layer of crap. Check the video that KF had up months ago about the meeting

No lease with State; State does give kickback. Oversight may be a ripoff but elected official that can not do business without oversight is the real problem.

I'll read whatever is available on the subject, here and elsewhere. I only hope what is posted here, by the administrator of the blog, is half-way accurate, fact-based and absent innuendo and speculation. That does seem to be the business model of late. Running multiple, same-subject threads correcting each other or trying to provide facts absent or ignored in earlier threads.

You might also want to talk personally with the man sponsoring the bill to get the truth of what is being proposed, why and wherefore, before launching off into space.

Kingfish already spots two flaws in the bill, he says. Well, I already spot one flaw in the opening post, sort of. 'The City of Jackson' does not appoint the board. The board is currently appointed solely by one man, the mayor. I realize the mayor is a city employee, however, boards and commissions are typically appointed by individual councilmen or supervisors or alderpersons, etc. In this case, it's all one guy. So, what's the big deal about Feel having that same authority.

And since when did Jacktown 'annex' the airport site?

The Mayor nominates Commissioners and the city council approves them. I consider that to be the city as in city government.

Someone mentioned requirements for board members. Read the draft bill or talk to the man who is writing it. There are specific job requirements in the bill, certain areas of experience required. No reverends, no JSU retired teachers and no block captains that emerge only during election cycles. These will be professionals with applicable experience. No need to speculate or hypothesize about it.

Royal oak, the airport property has been City of Jackson since the early 1960s

Jackson annexed the airport site in the 50's, in order to build the airport. There wasn't much of Rankin County then, except for the Gold Coast. Flowood wasn't much more than a mud puddle and there wasn't a Lakeland Drive/Highway 25. And Jackson was a booming operating city.

Prior to the building of Thompson Field in 1960 the major airport for the state was Hawkins Field located in the booming NW Jackson area. But it couldn't expand due to the surrounding development and housing areas and Jackson needed longer runways to handle the new jet traffic.

Jackson existing in both Hinds and Rankin County is nothing unusual. Part of the city is also in Madison County (no reason for all of you sycophants to start moving yet, this has existed for years and includes land just south of the soon to be built Cosco.)

As to 3:15's statement that commissions are 'typically appointed by councilmen or supervisors or alderpersons'. That is actually not the typical- most appointments are by the head of government (Governor, Mayor, etc) although there are times that the appointments are spread out because of the politics of the legislators at the time. When the airport was created the city of Jackson was governed by a completely different form of government - a Mayor and two Councilmen - and the government was by a majority vote of the three individuals.

1:45, your ignorance of facts is astounding for someone who seemingly types with such confidence.

Please explain to me what you consider true Home Rule. Just like the the Federal Government is supreme to our States, our State is supreme to our cities. It is simply inaccurate that there is "much grey area that requires a legal opinion." Unless the state has spoken on a particular subject, or otherwise exempted something from Home Rule, the municipalities can act in that area if it doesn't conflict with state law. Its not complicated.

You said new money or taxes "almost always" requires legislative approval. If you actually knew what you were talking about, you'd know that "new" taxation - such as Jackson's 1% sales tax - is an area that always, not almost always, requires legislative approval. Cities cannot create new taxes without legislative approval because the state has already subsumed that authority. The cities generally don't spend much time lobbying for new taxes because they're already given broad authority under the tax scheme the legislature has set up.

And yes, the State could control an airport if it wanted to. However, in this case, there are a host of practical issues they'd have to deal with before taking physical control because, at the end of the day, this is not state property that they currently own.

Jxn should sell is asap and earmark the money for improvement to the water system. One hard freeze and we will be dry as a desert

What did Jackson pay for the airport and how much City of Jackson money funds this service?

ROFLMAO All these nimrods saying that Jackson has all this power and, and, and yet Jackson is hiring an army of lobbyists to defeat Harkins' bill.

Get a clue nimrods.

Does this profit include the operating expenses of Hawkins Field? I wonder how much it loses a year.

The City of Jackson should not give, sell, or lease the airport or anything else to the State. If the airport was not profitable, the State would have no interest in it whatsoever. The State bulldozed over residents in Madison County by taking their land and giving it to Nissan. Now they want to take an airport. Next year they will want to take something else. If the State wants to take something, TAKE AWAY those state tests that public high school students have to take that private school kids don't have to take.

Word is that they want to establish a blimp landing area. Kennuh Stokes will be the inaugural flight.

Stop with the bloviation, 3:26.

"As to 3:15's statement that commissions are 'typically appointed by councilmen or supervisors or alderpersons'. That is actually not the typical- most appointments are by the head of government (Governor, Mayor, etc) although there are times that the appointments are spread out because of the politics of the legislators at the time."

The point being made is that commission and board members are typically nominated or appointed by councilmen/women in municipal situations. And in County situations, the appointments are nominated or made by individual supervisors, always of people who live in their district.

Most committees operating within a municipality are composed of individuals from the various wards, appointed by individual alderpersons. Most committees operating at the county level are composed of one person from each supervisory district being nominated by the county supervisors from each district.

It is indeed an anomaly for the mayor to hold total power of appointment for a five person board.

I do think the representative who is working on this bill needs to rethink the appointment rule. The governor, nor any other one person should have sole appointment authority. Let each county appoint their own representative board members and let the governor appoint a couple. If not, this thing will become as F***ed up as the State College Board.

As to Jackson's authority under the bill, Lieutenant Graham and Major Stokes could each appoint one member.

Also change the name of the airport to Jackson Metropolitan International Airport. It's been race-affiliated long enough. Everything at the current facility smacks of race. The revolving kiosk featuring the all-black board, the entire wing devoted to a celebration of a race icon, the private parking space out front for Bennie Thompson.....We need to move beyond race.

Innovate Missiisippi is the first example that comes to mind on how the airport will be run under Bryant's appointees. (a book keeper made off with $500k). There is no magic to state over site. And the reduced airport traffic has zero to do with the current board. Are you rankinittes seriously driving instead of flying Delta because a black board runs the airport?

wonder what the expense reports for the airport board show. was interesting when New Orleans had light shown on overseas trips by board members to 'learn' how to improve. assume a city connected type carries the luggage. lol

Anyhoo . . . before anything else is said and done, can't we get Rudy to run a study?

Nice mention that "Josh would appoint the members." If that wasn't intentional, it should've been. Well played, KF!

I am not old enough to know but I was just informed that one of the main reasons the JMAA is located in Pearl is that Jackson was attempting to annex Pearl. Pearl in return conceded the property that the Airport sits on. Well if this is the case who will compensate Jackson and perhaps offer punitive Damages.

1:30, the airport has a PE that make Rudy look honest.

Can you put a liquor there or a strip club?

@10:28....the Airport does NOT 'enjoy sovereign immunity'. No more than the PRVWSD does. Both can be sued successfully. Any state agency or political subdivision can be sued successfully. It's just a bit harder to do it.

Where the hell did you come up with THAT?

Kingfish:
Profit, before or after depreciation?

Part of the city is also in Madison County (no reason for all of you sycophants to start moving yet, this has existed for years and includes land just south of the soon to be built Cosco.)

Yeah; And take a ride out there and pay attention to the lack of development and weeds growing through the concrete on almost the entirety of the part inside the city of Jackson. You reckon that's simply coincidence?

I posted the operating income. The net income includes it. The expense is $1.4 million. The net income including the depreciation expense and is $229,259. It was projected to be a loss of over $400,000.

10:38 - enough of this debate, but you just do not know of what you speak. Most of the appointments of cities throughout the state are not done by "alderpersons/councilpersons" as you say, but are by the Mayor. Most of the appointments of a county are not done by an individual supervisor but by the entire board (there is not a single executive over our county governments as in Cities.) True, often the 'recommendation' for the position might come from the individual ward/beat/district, but that is not a requirement for most appointments in most cities of the state. You might be operating in your own limited small world and not be aware of what is going on in other cities, but next time before you speak, just shut your pie hole up until you do your research. (One time is ok, but when you try to continue your erroneous argument, you just make a fool of yourself.)

And most of the appointments to state offices/boards/commissions are made by one individual - the Governor. Yes, sometimes (generally depending on the power structure in place at the time of creation of the position) there have been other appointments given to LtGov and Speaker - sometime AG and others - but many are solely the appointment power of the Gov. It is fact throughout the system.

If you want only to look at Jackson - I'll take on the bet that most all appointments are of the Mayor. Granted, often required to be by ward, and often by custom by recommendation of the Councilperson. But the appointment is by the Mayor. Bring it on if you want to take the bet.

Have written my Rep and Senator, Gunn, Reeves and Bryant tonight to express full support for removing control of JAN from Jackson.

Yeah; And take a ride out there and pay attention to the lack of development and weeds growing through the concrete on almost the entirety of the part inside the city of Jackson. You reckon that's simply coincidence?

You could say the same thing about the section of the parkway in Madison immediately past the Ridgland city limits. It goes from development to forest.

Clueless @1:27 PM. Simply clueless.

I fully support the state taking over control of the airport.