Jackson Jambalaya

Just getting started. Here go the Yoder yokels again. Sounds like someone owes Andrew Mattaice his personal un-owed $500,000 back.

Just skimmed through a few pages after I read your comment.

Senator Horhn? That needs some explantionn.

I still do not understand the fuss. There is already commercial in the area. The property has been zoned commercial for years. HCP was built to be a commercial corridor. The only change in the zoning was for gas pumps. We all have to buy gas for our cars. What is wrong with that. They are not noisy. Madison has gas pumps located closer to neighborhoods than this will be.

People just want to control what someone else does with land that belongs to THEM. Those crazies should buy the land is they want it to remain trees.

You should do a public records request to see how much the city has paid Edgetheory LLC or whoever they are using now, to monitor social media and steer conversations, since you started posting these emails

Accept it 12:12, people are not being paid to disagree with you. We actually have our own opinions and are free to voice them, last time I checked. Sad we have to use an anonymous forum to voice in order to protect ourselves from scorn from our own neighbors.

10:53 - The emails clearly show the zoning was changed at Costco's behest, which is spot zoning. Try to follow along here.

10:53. There are many levels of commercial zoning. The 2014 City of Ridgeland zoning Ordinance designates Highland colony parkway as C-2 which means no gas pumps and no fast food drive ins. Because Costco will not put a store anywhere unless they can sell gas, the aldermen and mayor needed to change the zoning so gas pumps would be allowed at the property in question, clearing the way for Costco to come. Nothing wrong with that, except changing the zoning at one location for one organization is considered spot zoning and is not allowed. Also according to the 2014 zoning ordinance, there are numerous thresholds that must be met when one changes the existing zoning. The purpose of the thresholds is to make re- zoning challenging enough to preserve the integrity of a community. Apparently the city did not believe they could meet the thresholds required so they needed a creative way to get around them. According to the emails, Costco and the developers were instrumental in helping them find that solution. The purpose of the law suit is so that a third party (the judge) can use city zoning ordinances coupled with state law to determine who is right and who is wrong.

No one hates Costco; no one expects special treatment. There is a difference of opinion and the legal system is the only way I'm aware of to resolve it. Laura, human nature is such that, when people feel betrayed, they tend to lash out. We have seen lots of that on both sides of the argument. Now it's time to let the courts decide. Hopefully the hateful rhetoric will dissipate and our city can begin to heal.

McGee and Hart worked overtime to carry water. The emails are damning.

Damning that they are trying to grow Ridgeland's economic prosperity...those bastards!

3:23pm...no one expects special treatment?!?! That is what you people expect in everything that you do. You are full of shit. People like those opposed to this get special treatment in everything they do. That is exactly why they are lashing out so hard and suing like a bunch of whiny little bitches. Normal people just have to deal with things like this. Rich, spoiled, entitled elitist sue when they don't get their way. Y'all have succeeded in crippling your city's economic future just because you don't see a black person at a gas pump or have a 3 minute longer drive to the house....absolutely pitiful.

Get over it people. This is just Ridgeland. It's not like it's Eastover or Beverly Hills

4:36. I'm pretty sure I've won the argument if all you've got is name-calling but I am happy to give you an opportunity to substantiate your accusations. Please tell me exactly what special treatment any one has expected, asked-for or gotten.

When that Black Escalade heads up to the State games at 88 miles per hour, who is driving?....Hart or McGee?

$30 million to build a Costco isn't "economic development." It's wasteful spending. If memory serves me, Madison did a $12 milliom TIF for Sam's for infrastructure and landscaping for Liberty Park. By the way, Costco bragged about being the largest retailer of wine in the US. Can't sell wine in Rankin County. Secretary of State says they can't build at Smith-Wills bc land will revert back to state. Not many other places to build a Costco that can sell wine but for Ridgeland. Plus Ridgeland meets Costco's "demographics." So why did Ridgeland agree to chip in $30 million???

Rich, spoiled, elitists?
Well, most of those I know who live in the area weren't born with silver spoons.
Most of them came from modest beginnings. They went to med school or law school or got their MBA or built a business that grew and prospered. They did without in the early years to be comfortable in the later years.
Part of what they learned in the process is that commercial development doesn't have to be an eyesore or disruptive to traffic of any kind or devalue their property. They even learned that landscaping done well can serve as a barrier. They understand why there are different levels of zoning.
They know there's a difference between a juke joint and a five star restaurant with a bar.
Their mistake was in thinking that the people they voted for would appreciate their contributions to the community enough to be honest with them.
I wish I knew where 10:53am lives so I could buy the adjacent property and show him how I could make that property lower his quality of life and the value of his asset!

10:30 nails it. Legal doesn't make it right, and Costco could have been landed without the sweetener.

I don't like the location,but if the sales taxes were going to the city and county,instead of Mattiece and Barksdale,and who knows which politicians,I would not oppose it. I believe a lot of people feel that way

Hard to tell if you're for it or agin' it, 1:06. Sales taxes are not going to developers and politicians. Thanks for weighing in, though.

2:56. You don't know what you are talking about

Aw, but 2:56, I do. Let's not get into "do not", "do too" . . .

2:56 The $30 MILLION is NOT going to the City of Ridgeland. Rather, Ridgeland is giving $30 MILLION away to building a big box store.

2:56, The city and the state have agreed to give up $30 mill in taxes. That money will indeed go to the developer so that, in the end, he doesn't have to invest as much in the development.

2:56, The city and the state have agreed to give up $30 mill in taxes. That money will indeed go to the developer so that, in the end, he doesn't have to invest as much in the development.

Gene didn't have a re-vote for nuthing. Andrew's merry Ridgeland in-my-pocket-majority is in real trouble when this gets to court. Them attorneys know the truth. Pricks.

What an immature jerk you are, 9:14. "I'm telling mama and you're going to be in trouble". No one is in anyone's pocket! Small town growth is freaking everyone out! That is the problem with this situation and throughout this nation - frivolous lawsuits! Shame on you, "NEIGHBOR"!!!

Just wondering if 10:53 and 4:36 is the same Laura whose dad is an Alderman and whose husband is on the zoning board.