Jackson Jambalaya

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba nominated himself and newly-minted Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Robert Blaine to the 1% Sales Tax Commission.  He also said he expected the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce to give him it's four appointments to the Commission as well.





The City Council approved the two appointments.   Previous Jackson Mayors Tony Yarber and Chokwe Lumumba served as Chairmen of the Board.  Councilman Aaron Banks pointed out that the Mayor's father reached an agreement with the Chamber four years ago to allow the Mayor to appoint the four Commissioners reserved for the Chamber.  This agreement gave him seven appointments on the ten-member Commission.  However, no such agreement was made in writing.  Mayor Lumumba said the agreement was "the sweetener" for his father to promote the tax increase.

Mayor Lumumba said "we want to revive that (agreement)." (4:20 in video).   He said the previous administration did not "carry out" the agreement.

Kingfish note: Councilman DeKeither Stamps repeatedly attacked the Commission during the discussion.  He accused the Commission of overreaching, getting into "the weeds", and overstepping its authority. He wanted to know why this board was treated differently than other boards where city officials serve such as the Central Mississippi Planning & Development District (CMPDD).

Well, Mr. Stamps, why don't you try doing something basic such as..... reading.  The Commission was established by the legislature.  Try actually reading the bill.  It spells out the responsibilities and duties.  CMPDD is comprised of multiple cities and counties.  Jackson has a seat at the table but there are many seats at the CMPDD table.  Such entities are defined by their enabling legislation. 

Mr. Stamps wasn't done but then clawed into the Commission.  He  barked that the Commission has been  "allowed to overreach (6:40). That does not include picking  a street or picking a ditch..... We need to push back all the way.... Choosing contractors? That is not what they are supposed to be doing."

Strong stuff. However, Mr. Stamps is simply not telling the truth.  The Commission has never picked a contractor.  Period.  All contractors for 1% projects were chosen by the Administration and Public Works Department.  The contract for a project manager was submitted to the Commission in 2015 by Mayor Tony Yarber.  He chose IMS to be the project manager.  The Commission approved it since it spent 1% funds and then the City Council approved it.  The contract (IMS Engineers) was not renewed for 2017.   This is yet again another example of a disturbing pattern of comments by Mr. Stamps.  He constantly makes wild claims or bogus charges from his seat at the Council that have no basis in fact.  One must wonder if he is a serial liar or perpetually ignorant.

What would such a discussion be without the Ward 3 City Councilman? The esteemed Kenneth Stokes said (5:00) it was "my understanding they are trying to hoodwink and place someone else as Chairman."  That is simply not true.  The Mayor or his appointee is the Chairman.  No one has tried to replace him.  The previous Mayor did not show up for meetings and did not call any meetings after he lost on election day.  The Vice-Chairman, Duane O'Neil of the GJCC, simply called a work session so the Commission could continue its duties when a defeated Mayor took his ball and went home.  In other words, he stepped up to the plate when there was a dereliction of duty, nothing more or less.  This statement by Stokes is simply more of the misinformation that has been spread on the street about the Commission.  Don't take my word for it.  The videos for the meeting for the last year or so are on this website.  Watch for yourself.  Mr. Stokes should read the legislation before he shoots off at the  mouth yet again.  He should also learn the roles of Chairman and Vice-Chairman. 

 However, what is interesting is Mayor Lumumba wants the Chamber's seats on the Commission.  It is rather interesting.  These politicians all say Jackson needs jobs.  Jackson needs businesses.  Jackson needs more tax revenue.  Jackson needs to grow its economy.  However, this is just one more example of how the politicians tell the business community to sit down and shut up whenever it things really matter.  They aren't interested in what the business community thinks or has to say.  It simply wants their money and the right to tell it what to do. 

It is also rather unfortunate that no one else on the City Council challenged these remarks and simply let them pass as unvarnished truth into the record.  Keep in mind that Mr. Stamps nor any of his colleagues have attended any Commission meetings until last month.   However, Jackson is too often served by loudmouths instead of leaders.  

Jackson's best days took place when the business community and political leaders worked together.  A shame no one sitting in the City Council chambers learned that lesson.