Jackson Jambalaya

Nice. Let's see how long it remains that way once the vagrants reclaim it as their home.

Thanks for this King!

Before the trolls check in I offer the following

One of the most successful "public" parks in the U.S. is New York's Central Park.

What most people don't know, and what I lived through, is during the 70's, Central Park was a huge stain on the City.

No money for maintenance, much less improvements. Park was a hot bed of prostitution, drug dealing and vandalism.

What saved the park? Central Park that was the home of the internationally famous Hayden Planetarium and the American Museum of Natural History?

Central Park was saved through the formation of a privately funded company to MANAGE the park. In retrospect, the solution was really a no-brainer The more than wealthy and gentrified New York class didn't want their "backyard" to be notorious.

Kudo's to Ben Allen and Downtown Partners for finding grant funds, private donations and public support for the Smith Park revitalization!

Now about those "homeless" folks?

Beautiful! Usable. Awesome!

https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofSmithPark/notifications/?section=activity_feed&subsection=share&ref=notif&target_story=S%3A_I317773588589455%3A593253661041445&content_id=560790817620985

Looks good, unfortunately, Galloway UMC is like its Frat House neighbor and the homeless spillover into Smith Park after the Grace Place Chapel gets out. It's like the toga party...without the toga.

The park looks the same.

11:22, either you've never been there or you're not very observant.

They spent HOW MUCH for this? Profit must be 5000%...

You can build and launch the most beautiful and expensive yacht in the bay; but, if you have no restrictions on entry and behavior beyond the gang plank, how long will it float?

Mr. Mickns seems to have left out an element or two in the formula he described. Police presence. Enforced regulations. Neighborhood pride.

It will take one helluva lot more than Ben Allen to keep this yacht afloat. Rather, sailboat.

We can have Orkin and Terminix spraying every day and night, yet when West Capitol is pouring bucket after bucket of roaches and vermin into the downtown area, it's a losing battle. The area is a welcoming gateway to the recalcitrant, non-working, unmotivated, brown-bag-totin sub-culture.

DJP funded the entire $150,000 in renovations. NO public money spent.

Give it a week before the bums have tents under that tree

DJP funded the entire $150,000 in renovations. NO public money spent.

Well by all means let's give them a brownie.

Thank you DJP. But you still don't own the park nor get to say what does on there and who can use it.

2:21, nor do you. All of you who have no stake or interest in Downtown, other than to wish its demise, please go away.

I guess new ADA compliant sidewalks were part of the redevelopment. I am so sick of these half-ass redevelopment projects in Jackson.

Me too 3:25. The Westin, King Edward, Standard Life Flats, Pinnacle Office, The South Warehouse are all half-ass projects.....right? Do you want me to continue?

"Me too 3:25. The Westin, King Edward, Standard Life Flats, Pinnacle Office, The South Warehouse are all half-ass projects.....right? Do you want me to continue?"
April 13, 2018 at 3:40 PM

Oh, YES! PLEASE continue! I live in the metro, and had to look up all but the King Edward and Standard Life projects - because THAT'S HOW IRRELEVANT DOWNTOWN JACKSON HAS BECOME (for everyone except the few office workers who still have to endure going there regularly).

Good work by Ben Allen, Dittos, the mayor, etc. Now can we just get someone to talk to Galloway. This is a big problem for downtown and is a terrible look for those visiting the Capitol and downtown every morningZ today alone were no less than 15 school buses downtown and we don’t need that to be our image.

April 13, 2018 at 1:09 PM
Anonymous said..Dee Ray said...

"You can build and launch the most beautiful and expensive yacht in the bay; but, if you have no restrictions on entry and behavior beyond the gang plank, how long will it float?

Mr. Mickns seems to have left out an element or two in the formula he described. Police presence. Enforced regulations. Neighborhood pride.

It will take one helluva lot more than Ben Allen to keep this yacht afloat. Rather, sailboat.

We can have Orkin and Terminix spraying every day and night, yet when West Capitol is pouring bucket after bucket of roaches and vermin into the downtown area, it's a losing battle. The area is a welcoming gateway to the recalcitrant, non-working, unmotivated, brown-bag-totin sub-culture."

MICKENS SAYS: Wow! Dee you are obviously not a Christian. The churches you mention are doing EXACTLY what Jesus commissioned his followers to do. And Conservatives (not saying that you are a Conservative) are so proud of spouting, in proudly reverent and hushed tones, that America is a Christian Nation.

Jesus instructed his followers to provide services, comfort and support for the "least of these", which includes the folks you have so scrupulously listed by ilk.

Rather than damning the Christians, why not join with them to solve the" homeless" problem.

So what is the solution?

The State of Utah determined that it is cheaper (that means costs government and communities less money) to provide homes for the "chronic and near chronic homeless", than to constantly arrest them, constantly providing emergency room care to feed them when they become dehydrated or malnourished, constantly providing medical care when the homeless are attacked on the street.

Now we are not talking about group homes that usually includes a barracks motif. Utah , and LA for that matter, are moving towards providing individual apartments with keys for the "chronic and near chronic" homeless. And they say they are saving time and money!

Of course these programs are seriously under funded when the scope of the need is considered, but it is a start.

1.Success??
https://www.npr.org/2015/12/10/459100751/utah-reduced-chronic-homelessness-by-91-percent-heres-how

2. On the other hand
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865678779/Is-Utah-still-a-model-for-solving-chronic-homelessness.html

Jesus never said that the solution to the ills of your brethren is more police, regulations and cloistered neighborhood pride.

Satan is alive and well in his efforts to separate us from each other.

DEE, I'n not saying that you are Satan, but you have exhibited Satanic tendencies, as defined by Jesus, in your post.

Just saying

I have said this before and I would like to see how far this would be logically discussed. Our leaders are very racist yet they want our hard earned money to support those who DO NOT choose to contribute. My idea is for the City to fully take over the Mtero Center and old Jackson Mall. One would be used to house the homeless and the other could be used to consolidate JPS. Let’s face it. Having homeless people roaming your streets is not good. Having a defunct school district spread out and having maintenance costs increasing due to age and disrepair of its physical facilities is not smart. You have to get both of these in order. The streets, water and sewer are a huge that can be resolved but it will take time and money. As I said in a previous post there are people willing to spend millions of dollars to get involved in downtown development.

George Flaggs has started turning Vicksburg around. I wish he were our Mayor, but nooooo! He thinks too much outside the black community. There is not one black community that can run a viable city with the assistance of white leaders involved somehow. And that’s a fact.

11:04. I go to Galloway. So you want us to abandon our Christian duty to care for the least among us to uphold an image? Should seeing all the homeless in Jackson be a wake-up for city and state leaders to address poverty in a meaningful manner? And if it's not the government's job to care for these people, whose is it? The church? Fellow citizens? I, for one, will continue to support our Grace Place ministry because it's feeding, clothing, caring for those who are on the margins of our society.

What are you talking about Frank? He made no mention of Churches in his post. Appears you are confusing the posts of several contributors. And for your benefit, nowhere in the Bible are we admonished to care for the slothful, the recalcitrant, those who refuse to work and contribute to society. You may want to get a copy.

I love stupid people. 9:36 takes the cake. Doofus. The "old Jackson Mall" is full.....full. It is now the Jackson Medical Mall, housing a myriad of medical facilities, Picadilly's, offices and a host of retail. I love stupid people.

9:43. Please keep doing what you are doing, but hire security (off duty cops) to patrol Smith Park and the areas around your church after your "do gooding" ends daily, and the vagrants invade and harass the rest of downtown.

11:19 never made the debate team... or 10th grade?

"11:04. I go to Galloway. So you want us to abandon our Christian duty to care for the least among us to uphold an image? Should seeing all the homeless in Jackson be a wake-up for city and state leaders to address poverty in a meaningful manner? And if it's not the government's job to care for these people, whose is it? The church? Fellow citizens? I, for one, will continue to support our Grace Place ministry because it's feeding, clothing, caring for those who are on the margins of our society."

April 14, 2018 at 9:43 AM



Sorry but Galloway is not helping the homeless without financial gain. Poverty pimping by religious institutions and other non-profit organizations, in the name of Jesus, is big business, a multi-million dollar business. This organization has received millions of both private and public dollars in the name of "helping" the homeless and other marginalized groups in Jackson. Galloway needs the homeless population, their money makers. Continue to give the homeless free fish paid for by other people's money and not teach or give them the resources on how to fish and provide more fish for themselves. This is how the Grace Place ministry come into fruition and why it still exists today.

Downtown renaissance is not in the best interest of Galloway. This organization, like many others in Jackson, Mississippi, is the Doctor keeping the Patients sick.

#Treating the symptoms and not addressing the source of the problems

12:53 is right. Is it in my cardiologist's best interested to be sure I never need another stent or other procedure? My next stent helps pay for his condominium.

The dentist who treats my neighbor's gum issues...Is it in that dentist's best interest to make sure his patient doesn't need another gum surgery in the future? Those 'next little surgeries' pay for his ski-locker at Aspen.

12:53. it’s 9:43. where are you getting that information from? they certainly don’t share that with the congregation. i’d like to know of what millions of dollars you are referring to. do you have proof of grants, funds or other things to back up your claims? please share in that if what you are saying is true most of the members would like to know that. if you are just speculating then don’t back up your claims.

9:43. Then do what 11:22 suggests. Will Galloway do that, and spare those of us who live downtown, the riff raff and harassment we get after you have witnessed to them?

Same folks living downtown who want the homeless removed from their midst are the same folks who jeered and flogged homeowners opposed to the placement of Oxford Houses in Jackson neighborhoods.

943 again. downtown nimby 3:53? well the homeless in downtown Jackson was there way before Grace Place was started. should we just confine them to the area around stewpot and gateway? or how about bus therapy to the front door of some suburban church? gets them out of downtown..


Galloway can show you that those who were willing to change through Grace Place have. It’s been worth it even if
one soul was saved and brought out of homelessness. And it’s way more than a few here and there. and yeah most are unwilling to change. completely on them but we still try.

And also 5:53, with your NIMBY snide remark. Where do YOU live, and do you want bums....I said it BUMS....all over YOUR neighborhood?

There are homeless people in every major city in this country and hundreds of non-major cities. What would all you heartless, snooty, uppity people suggest to solve this problem? You act as if you are better than these people because you have a job, house, and a few dollars in the bank. From what I've been reading on this site, most of these homeless people are better human beings than some of you. All of you who condemn the homeless should be ashamed of yourselves. If you lost your job today, how long would it take for before you couldn't pay your mortgage?

8:58. it’s 5:53. let’s just say i go to galloway and can walk to work.

2:21. absolutely!

Most of the "homeless" fed downtown are not "homeless" at all. They are simply getting a free meal. The majority of the "everyday homeless" downtown are grifters and "homeless" by choice. When were you downtown last, 2:21 AM....AM???

While all you sanctimonious bleeding hearts pat yourselves on the back inside your gated neighborhoods, I still can't walk near Smith Park (much less through it) without being harassed or worse by these bums.

Face it! These holy folks at Galloway have totally bought into the notion that none of these people they pander to will ever change. Behavioral change is not in the motive-package passed out to the Galloway congregation. All that matters is that you step up and contribute and feel good about yourself. It's your ticket to the golden streets.

And the fact that 'these bums' will never change and are using the congregation is of little importance. All that matters is that they 'did their part' as defined by the robed gent at the podium. The bums at the park are simply to be tolerated. And as long as they don't hang out in the church parking lot and scratch up the Mercedes, what's the big deal?

And 4:12. Guess what? They hire private security guards to keep their property "bum free" after these feedings and to "shoo" them elsewhere. Joey Shelton was the problem then. Don't know about now.

As mentioned earlier... The "homeless" downtown number on one hand. I live downtown. The vast majority are con artists, preying on white guilt. The out of city churches were invading Smith Park on Sundays with all the 15 and 16 year old "country" white girls snapping selfies with abandon, them and a "homeless" person. They quickly put said photos on their Facebook page, and their church's, proclaiming to the world how "benevolent" they are. Then they return to Florence, Brandon, Madison, wherever. SMDH.

I wish this site had a "LIKE" button. 6:20...5:12...4:12...8:26. Consider yourself "liked".

"April 14, 2018 at 10:21 AM: Anonymous said.

mickns Has Lost It... said...
What are you talking about Frank? He made no mention of Churches in his post. Appears you are confusing the posts of several contributors. And for your benefit, nowhere in the Bible are we admonished to care for the slothful, the recalcitrant, those who refuse to work and contribute to society. You may want to get a copy."

MICKENS SAYS ANON you are absolutely right! I did confuse earlier, and for that matter, later comments that named Galloway.

For clarification Your use of the oft quoted phrase "if you don't work, you don't eat" (2 Thes,3:10), to condemn the "homeless" I say:

1) If the ENTIRE book of Thessalonians is read (only two pages in my translation of the Bible) , even the most casual observer would see that Paul was specifically talking about certain and specific itinerant Pastors who were living off of congregations, Paul was pointing out that all pf those itinerant Pastors had the skill, health and ability to work, but were choosing not to.

2) If a person knew anything or was even slightly interested in even bothering to learn about the "homeless", they would realize pretty quickly that due to mental illness, substance abuse, physical handicap, temporary economic crisis, recent release from incarceration, not having a home address, or being a child, these folks on the most part are unable to either get or keep a job.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/03/31/gop-lawmaker-the-bible-says-the-unemployed-shall-not-eat/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.23ff8a3c181b

3) The beauty, promise, power, and provision of Christianity (and NOT necessarily the various INSTITUTIONS promoting Christianity) is that Jesus eliminated the credibility of nit picking conversations like this one (and yes, I am the nitpicker here) by saying:

Treat your neighbor (usually a stranger), the way YOU would want to be treated if you were afflicted with any one of the ills ANON cites above.


"FROM https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Commandment
The Great Commandment (or Greatest Commandment) [1] is a name used in the New Testament to describe the first of two commandments cited by Jesus in Matthew 22:35–40 and Mark 12:28–34. These two commandments are paraphrases taken from the Old Testament and are commonly seen as important to Jewish and Christian ethics.

In Mark, when asked "which is the great commandment in the law?", the Greek New Testament reports that Jesus answered, "Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God, The Lord is One; Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind",[2] before also referring to a second commandment, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

CONTINUING: Believe or not, I've met people who say "I would want to be treated in an un-empathetic way if I faltered and found myself under duress".

To them I say, "Since you seem to love and seek out self flagellation, how would you want your mother or daughter or other loved one to be treated?".

If they still hold the line on being unempathetic to the plight of others I say: Go forth and prosper"

Just think for a minute. Why would person lower themselves to beg for pennies unless there was something wrong with, or oppressing them?

http://biblereasons.com/poverty/
25 Helpful Bible Verses About Poverty - Bible Reasons

Yes I've seen the stories on professional panhandlers who earn upwards of $60,000 in big cities, using panhandling as a profession. However these professional panhandlers have a job, are working (as most folks define work), are the tiniest minority of the homeless and they probably not homeless.

Now how about the Fortune 500 firms who "panhandle" and "poor mouth" the Federal government, that means you and me, to use tax dollars to send jobs over seas.

Any harsh words for them?