Friday, May 25, 2018

WAPT asks: "What's Wrong With the Jackson Zoo?"

What do people think about the Jackson Zoo? Tis the question asked by WAPT last week in this video posted below.




45 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's in Jackson.

Anonymous said...

What’s wrong with the zoo?

It’s in a DMZ. A run down ghetto.

This smart mouthed mayor wants to act cute by saying how do you get it to fit on a 25 acre site. Well, a scaled back zoo there is 100 times better than that crumbling shit hole where it currently stands and throwing 50 million dollars at it won’t fix it.

For generations that part of town has been a ghetto, yet NOW everyone that lives there is concerned?

People in that area of town are to lazy to even cut their grass. Jeez...

Anonymous said...

Wait...we have blight elimination money? Is that a fund? How much is in that acct? Antar saying $50mil would do a lot in west Jackson is correct. However, it’s the return on investment of the $50mil that matters. If not, then you’re just giving $50mil to your buddies and walking away.

Anonymous said...

The same thing is wrong with the MetroCenter Mall. This is the largest shopping center in the state but it is dead. People with money didn't want to go there anymore. People who have choices choose to spend their money where they are comfortable and convenient. Unless they have no choice at all. The Jackson Zoo is not a necessity and people choose to spend their money on other things because they are not comfortable there. Duh. If it were private enterprise the decision would have been made years ago. Just like MetroCenter. Move it or stop wasting money on a dead horse.

Anonymous said...

It is looking like there will be no zoo. No one is coming up with $50 million for a new zoo and the current location will probably be closed with the animals sent to other zoos. I've been going there since I was a child, but never think about taking my grandchildren there.

John said...

Does the Mayor imagine the proposed $50 million would go to rehabbing houses in the vicinity, or will rehabbing the zoo magically upgrade the community?

SoufSide Weezy said...

I blame all the "people" that left Jackson for Rankin and Madison County. They left Jackson and took all their resources with them. Leaving poorly conditioned houses to rent to make a buck while they lived in their stucco palace. Now they sit on blog sites and reminisce of olden days, but don’t blame themselves for their economic part of the problem. Sit high in your stucco mansions, lakes of Caroline and lost rabbit. You’re stuck between a rock (Jackson) and a hard place (Canton). In 20 years Madison will be Jackson and “Sure as shooting, I’ll probably see you there.”

Anonymous said...


You would have to be a complete idiot to take the chance driving your family to the existing Zoo. Are the leaders of Jackson just one step off the short bus.

Anonymous said...


The Zoo is dead.

Give it the funeral it deserves.

Build a new facility combining the zoo with additional revenue generating attractions Except, do not locate it in Hinds county.

Anonymous said...

Can we get a collection going to pay Kingfish to stop forever posting threads about this damned zoo?

Anonymous said...

The area is not that bad. We usually rope in from a blackhawk, then set up a defensive perimeter until ground support rolls up in armored humvees. After an hour looking at the animals, we evac in a convoy. My wife usually mans the 50 caliber on the way out. The rally point is in the suburbs. My kids love it, but my daughter says the Kevlar is too heavy. Spoiled suburban kids I guess.

Anonymous said...

4:48, then I must be a complete idiot. Not that I drive to the zoo - not traveling for a weekend activity - but do have to drive in that area quite regularly. Is it (can I say it?) black? Absolutely. Are there crumbling houses/businesses? Well, it depends on which way one goes to get there; traveling down West Capitol, once one of the finest streets in the city, it is absolutely a disaster. But to travel down Woodrow Wilson, or to approach from 220, its not the zoo (pun intended) that many want to try to make it one this site. Wouldn't send my children out that area at night - absolutely. But, if that money that is wanted to be spent on moving the zoo was spent on a bulldozer to clear out the abandoned structures and make a several hundred acre park, it might actually work.

Scaramouche said...

R.I.P. Jackson Zoo.
There a new Zoo in Brandon. McClain General Store has opened a petting zoo Friday, which features exotic animals like camels, zebras a baby giraffe and kangaroo. 874-A Holley Bush Rd. Brandon, MS

Anonymous said...

ONLY A MORON WOULD WANT THE Z O O
TO REMAIN IN IT's CURRENT LOCATION. jxn Sucks

Anonymous said...

Jackson Can Not Afford a Zoo!!! Period

Anonymous said...

5:26 please elaborate why a zoo should not go anywhere in Hinds County.

Justice for Zoo Animals said...

This appears to be a no-win situation for the Zoo. No amount of investment at the current location is likely to save it. But the Jackson City government will not support moving to a more suitable location because it is now a race issue. Mayor Lumumba is smart enough to know that the only fighting chance the zoo has is to move closer to Rankin/Madison . This move however is untenable with his constituents so he will oppose it 100%. The zoo is lost. RIP.

Justice for Zoo Animals said...

Btw 6:10 PM, the Zoo’s future is 100% a relevant issue for the Jackson metro area that needs to be discussed. The issues surtounding it represent the larger issues for the city of Jackson. Economic stagnation, racial identity politics, white flight and a hemoraging tax base leaving fewer resources each year.

Anonymous said...

What does it say about people (they're not homeowners - about 75% of them are renters) who live near the zoo if they so identify with the zoo that they can't bear to think of life without it or if they think it enhances the quality of their lives...?

Sad...

Anonymous said...

Ole chuck wagon needs to give up this fight. The limited funds of the city needs to be allocated to more critical needs. This issue didn’t happen overnight. To fix this blighted area will take years or even decades if all resources are poured into it. Which the city and the people of that area will never do. What is best for the zoo and all people of the Jackson area is the question. Not a turf war. Chuck, the I just got here answer is getting old. You are a great orator, but you are not making any decisions. Forget your new world order and get to work.

Anonymous said...

All these haters talking about stucco, I wonder if they know when EFIS was no longer allowed in the building code?

Anonymous said...

To 4:43. All the shootin' is why we left.

Anonymous said...

Economic stagnation, racial identity politics, white flight and a hemoraging tax base leaving fewer resources each year.

White flight from where?

Anonymous said...

Restating an old position.

It will take Hinds-Madison-Rankin counties, the state, Entergy, Nissan, Tyson, Sanderson,Cooper Tires, the casino's, BC/BS, MS banks, Toyota, MS lawyer groups and others. Money first then sponsorship of the shows, events and exhibits. Find a central location (a problem)maybe on the banks of the Pearl River. Give it a generic name or hell call it the Mississippi State Zoo. The potential is with the people of the state to work together to make something special happen, will it be hard damn straight but worth it in the end. Local entertainment, regional attraction and national positive publicity.

I-55 and I-20 traffic diversion alone to a world class zoo would do wonders for the hospitality business in the area.

I guess we will see who the leaders are in trying to get the zoo just moved or making it a very special moment in the lives of Mississippi children and out of town and out of state guest.

Paul Mitchell said...

Aside from the fact that responsible parents would not take their kids there except on a large scale "zoo day" Saturday afternoon, you have to take into account that most kids these days would rather stay inside, play video games, and eat fattening snack foods. I don't blame the kids for that, either. We, as parents, let that happen.

Can Jackson be saved? Absolutely, but Democrats will never be part of any solution for that to happen. Witness all of the other larger Democrat run cities, they are verifiable proof that Democrats are bad people and have no clue how to make anything into a success.

Anonymous said...

I am genuinely curious if the violent crime or white flight came first? I ask because I am only 35 years old and remember spending the beginning of my childhood in Jackson. Most relatives left when my grandparent's neighbor was shot to death through her carport door for daring to turn on her carport light during a robbery. I believe that the neighbor who was murdered was black. My grandparents didn't leave when when the demographics on their street changed. The last of my relatives cut their losses and fled the City of Jackson for the safety of Rankin County in the late 90's.

Anonymous said...

I don't think they're bad people, they just believe in failed processes that have been proven not to work.

Anonymous said...

Crime came first. I know several people who lived off West Capitol. Some held out as long as they could and all wish they could live still there but the crime forced them out. It was a great place at one time and so convenient to downtown.

Why can't the MS Department of Wildlife and Fisheries take over the zoo? They do a great job with the Natural Science Museum.

Anonymous said...

White flight?? What you talking about Willis? Anyone with enough resources is always searching to move on up to the East side. George Jefferson taught us that! Blacks want to blame whites, but it’s classism, not race. Any black family with enough resources is scrambling to leave as fast as whites, if not faster. Look at Madison/Rankin school demographic makeup, blacks are increasing ten-fold.

Anonymous said...

10:26 is spot on.
Culley Drive, off I-55 behind the old chuck-e-cheese is where I grew up. The whole street/neighborhood was mostly white and the houses were nice little single family starter homes with nice size yards! Manhattan park was an every weekend thing! Picnics, bikes, football, soccer, baseball, hiking over the ditch in the woods, etc etc. Our neighbor who we considered our grandparents even had a pool!
My parents started Rainbow Wholefoods. We all cared and loved Jackson and the people. My father started and sold his Environmental Engineering consultant firm. Most off all that was late 80's through 1995 when we moved to Northbay in Madison. There's no white flight it's merely continuing success lends to "moving on up" no matter your race. My father and his friend run a solar business in Jackson now. A white and a black man. Together. Jackson is the most racist city towards whites I've ever seen. Blatant too. My parents moved us after a coke dealer (he was white) and a few other unsavory people (gunshots, people just starting to mill around with no purpose or drive) moved into the neighborhood. Crime, not race led to us moving. My father and mothers success led to us moving.

I'm white. Born in '87 in Jackson. First pres. prep. Madison central. Hinds CC. Ole miss alum. I'm 30yrs old living in Sarasota, FL now after 5 years in CO. I love and hate Jackson. I tell everyone I meet about the pros and cons. I worry about my family members that remain in "little Detroit" everyday. Jackson BLOWS my mind how the city "operates" or better yet "doesn't operate".

The United States Census officially recognizes six racial categories: White American, Black or African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander.

Good luck to all y'all that remain. Don't worry I know the feeling isn't mutual.

Mayor Curious George said...

Well, when that day does come, at least the Zoo will have Judge Tomie T. Green to sign off on the paperwork to release the animals, right? She's pretty efficient about that kind of thing, right?

Anonymous said...

Yep, this report was done by Scott Simmons..... leftist media. It seems he would really be asking hard questions like “why do we need the zoo when we have crime problems and infrastructure issues that need to be addressed first”? Just keep kicking that can down the road, soon Scott you will be in the same boat as Howard “Bellafonte” Ballou.

Anonymous said...

So Paul how can Jackson be saved. All the voters are Ds and not going to change.

Anonymous said...

What "white Flight"?
Clinton, Ridgeland, Terry and Pearl public schools are majority black now. Sounds like economic flight. If you can get out, you get out (sans the groovy 39202 folk).

Anonymous said...

1:30 is right. Scott Simmons is terrible. I quit watching WAPT because of him.

Anonymous said...

1:34 PM I'm not Paul, but the only thing that can save Jackson would be if the volcano woke up and a new city was built upon the cold lava. That is God's truth.

Anonymous said...

SoufSide Dufus @ 4:43 is the total problem with Jackson. Just wants to point fingers, but accept no blame.

When I sold my place and left Jackson/Hinds county. my neighbor hood had no rental houses. All the houses were maintained, along with the yards. No junk cars in the yards, no burglar bars on the windows and all the streets were drivable.

Everything south of Hwy 80 was thriving. I can think of seven shopping centers that had at least two grocery stores in them, two movie theaters and restaurants in them and every neighbor hood had a mom & pop store in it.

No, we left the city in good shape!!

The problem with Jackson as with every other dim-o-krat controlled city is you. You don't have the guts to look in the mirror and ask, "What did you do? How have I/We let things get this bad?"

There is no one to blame, but your selves. When you stop electing idiots like Kennuf Stokes, then one day maybe you'll see some progress, but I doubt it. Keep on keeping on....you reap what you sow. You're the problem and your own worst enemy.

Anonymous said...

Anyone who can follow trends and comprehend the concept of 2 + 2 = 4 knows where this story ends, and it’s not on Lefluer’s Bluff.

Moving it to that location with the city’s finances is a pipe dream. The zoo will probably be gone in 5 years or so.

To my knowledge, Jackson doesn’t have a movie theatre nor a shopping mall. Don’t ask why the zoo is dying. You know why. They run people off and wonder why they don’t have anything of note in their city. I’m amazed that the ballet competition still comes to town. That will come to a screaching half if one of the competitors/visitors gets killed for no good reason or for any reason. The newer generation of kids in Jackson don’t even know that they don’t have anything. It’s worse than pitiful.

In human nature, we all have survival instincts. After so long of people being robbed and/or killed, your instincts just says “stay away.”

Jackson can be saved by encouraging investment in downtown while cutting off the fringe benefits of a city that can’t afford them. When there are enough jobs, which requires commerce far beyond a strip mall, you might get people to stay IF you can at least keep the murderers locked up. If you can stop the hemorrhaging and reverse course, Jackson might have a sizable tax base to take care of the basics.

The only thing keeping Jackson relevant are colleges/universities, hospitals, car lots, what’s left of law offices, and government-state or federal.

Y’all do realize that between Rankin and Madison counties, a sprawled out complex of development is further expanding only to avoid Jackson. It’s not because Rankin and Madison are really that great. They’re just safer, and a little bit more sane. That’s all.

Anonymous said...

All you verbose quitters that hate Jackson. Knock yourselves out. I love it here, warts and all. Love it. Keep up with the novel size comments, but know that at the end of the day, we Jacksonians that live here do it by choice, and don't give a shit what you think. In other words, phuck you.

Anonymous said...

White flight? Ha.

I'm absolutely floored that all of you concealed carry folks are afraid to reclaim *YOUR* city and visit *YOUR* zoo. Give me a break! You're going to have potholes in every city, and (you might not believe it, but it's true) you're also going to have black people and poor people in every city.

Anonymous said...

6:25PM I guess you watched Death Wish last night too, huh? Not everyone with a Concealed Carry permit is a Paul Kersey vigilante. Most people carrying just want a chance to defend themselves if needed.

Anonymous said...

I decided to go to the zoo today to see it for myself. I went to it via Capital Street and out via Woodrow Wilson. The area going in off 220;had a stripped car at the intersection. Between 220 and the zoo were many abandoned houses and terrible roads. It had changed a lot in the past few years. The zoo was really nice and clean, and I really enjoyed the animals. I was at the giraffe exhibit and heard one gunshot and then about 6 from an automatic weapon. I waited to hear sirens, but never did. I guess this is the norm over there. It s time to move it for sure. I am deeply saddened at the state of our city. I am a strong proponent of revitalization, but I would be scared for children to go there.

Anonymous said...

@ 6:08.
People that say they are in love with the current situation are smoking that shit way to often. Your obviously not a business owner. I literally have a collection of blue index cards Jpd gives me when my business is broken into. And yes. I have it fenced with razor wire, security cameras, and a security system. Doesn’t slow them down a damn bit. I don’t know about the other detectives but the business burglary guys don’t give a shit about me or my property. The judges are way to lenient. Nevermind the water, schools, potholes, etc. The sheriff is a joke. Letting murderers accidentally go.

Anonymous said...

5:29 should be a columnist. Excellent insight.

I Love It Here.. said...

"All you verbose quitters that hate Jackson. Knock yourselves out. I love it here, warts and all. Love it. In other words, phuck you."

Cool! And you work where? The Clarion Ledger? Saltines? Backyard Burger across from UMMC? Hal & Mals? "Nowhere right now but looking"? And how many months ago did your bicycle disappear from under the stairs at the apartment?



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
.