Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Priester speaks!!!

Jackson Ward 2 Councilman Melvin Priester, Jr.  provided this information about Mayor Antar Lumumba's nomination to the school board, Letitia Johnson:


Mayor Lumumba has nominated Atty. Letitia Simmons Johnson to serve on the school board for Ward 2. If you aren't familiar with her, here's a link to her CV.

Normally, the procedure is that the mayor puts nominees on the regular agenda and then we'll have a separate confirmation hearing. The reason for having the separate meeting is so that people can do research on the nominee and figure out where they stand.

I'm not sure if we'll dispense with the separate confirmation hearing given the debilitating shortage of school board members right. I know the nominee well and I think she'll be a benefit to JPS. She has professional experience that is particularly relevant. She's a former financial consultant with Salomon Smith Barney. She has also served as a guardian ad litem so that gives her practical experience with kids who are going through the system and need help. Her kids came or are coming through JPS. She's genuinely smart. She's even keeled. She's an active parent and I don't think she'll be a yes-person.

I'm not sure whether other council members know her as well as I do, however, and so depending on their comfort with this pick I assume we will decide at this afternoon's work session whether to vote on this nomination during tomorrow's 10 am council meeting or have a separate confirmation hearing. We certainly won't delay long give the reality of the situation but school board nominees are the most important board we have. It behooves us to make sure everyone has a chance to get up to speed.

Kingfish note: This is a much better resume than what one has seen from most school board nominees over the last couple of decades.  

21 comments:

LSJ4JPS said...

"..she's also black and, well, we all know there ain't fidna be no damn devils on OUR school board..."

Anonymous said...

12:53 what racists Hole did you crawl out of? Are you offended by a well educated and experienced
JPS Board nominee?

Anonymous said...

I guess 12:53 is unaware that basically the entire JPS school board is black. JPS is likely the least diverse school district in the entire state.

LSJ4JPS said...

Sign... ya can't even understand a good trolling today... I give up.

Anonymous said...

JPS least diverse school board...

this person has not been to all the counties in Mississippi where there is not one person who is not white in an appointed or elected position

Anonymous said...

I agree with the councilman. I think she's a great pick. I'm glad they confirmed her today.

Anonymous said...

"She's genuinely smart."

As apposed to what? Being phony smart?

Anonymous said...

The JPS board has one white member, Jed Oppenheim.

Anonymous said...

JPS student body is 1% white.No need for white Board members. A shame.

Anonymous said...

I do not know her but she gets a gold star for agreeing to serve. This Board has a tough job.

Here's a related Mark Twain quote:

In the first place God made idiots. That was for practice. Then he made School Boards.

Anonymous said...

3:19, the student population may be 1% white, but the $30 million plus that the school board is spending comes from a population that is largely white - approaching 90% of the tax base. However, I always understood that race should not be the basis for determining qualifications - and I am sure that Ms. Johnson is qualified. Its just a shame that of those taxpaying citizens that are still a part of the system that it is impossible to find anyone qualified among them.

Anonymous said...

90% of the tax base is white

The incorrect facts that some of the posters use to support their positions is mind blowing. This is truly sad. Yet some of these people are so convinced they are actually correct.

Kingfish said...

I hear that type of number thrown around but I've yet to see any proof of it. Maybe some assessments or property tax collections by zip code would be nice.

Anonymous said...

90% is totally bogus unless this is 1960.

Anonymous said...

90% totally bogus? Then what do you suppose it is? Check the property tax rolls, which is what supports the schools. Its an easy calculation to make.

I agree that the 90% claim made above is probably high, but would bet that it is north of three fourths of the tax base.

Anonymous said...

Easy? How? How do you identify what is white in Jackson? Certainly no longer by ZIP code. ZIP+4 maybe but not straight ZIP. How about buildings owned by businesses or corporations?

Anonymous said...

Who uses phrases like "even-keeled?" I can't even begin to describe how nerdy that sounds. I feel like I am reading a law school exam or a rough draft of a Chuck Schumer speech.

Anonymous said...

Maybe since it appears to be so one sided, you think we can get the justice department to come in and mix everything up to give the white kids a chance, or nah? #hellofromcleveland

Anonymous said...

10:36 pm How would you define her temperament in that sentence so we can all be as "cool" as you imagine yourself?

And, 2:50 pm as opposed to 1)suggesting you have an MBA from Wharton when you had a last ditch transfer to the undergraduate business school from a lesse important business school 2) telling everyone you are smart without the credentials to test scores to back it up 3) being admitted to an Ivy League by legacy rather than academic achievement to name a few.

In a time when too many people are disingenuous, I think the councilman used a meaningful adjective.

You are both right that it's in vogue ( thus not nerdy) to be disingenuous, inarticulate, unsophisticated, and ill mannered. Rather than have our children aspire to be well educated, well spoken, ladies and gentlemen regardless of their financial status, I suppose you'd rather they aspired to the lowest common denominators in society.

Anonymous said...

You people can be petty asf. It appears that we have an intelligent professional who is also a JPS parent willing to step in the fire to help out an ailing school district. Why can't we just wish her well? Why the snark? It's people like you that make all of the professional, innovative people leave the state. They get one year of work experience here and realize it's like beating your head against a brick wall trying to modernize the state. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't here.

Anonymous said...

MEMO to BabyChok: Actions speak louder than copious words and vegan bullshit.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

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
.