Friday, January 25, 2019

Flashback Friday

Today's edition of Flashback Friday continues to remind readers at who said what when the vote for higher taxes to fund the construction of the Jackson Convention Center was on the table. JJ reported earlier this month that the convention center suffered an operating loss of $1.4 million in 2018 and has already lost nearly $300,000 just a few months into FY 2019. The Capital City sharecroppers promise it would generate $40 million in revenue and create 700 jobs when they told us to vote for higher taxes. Enjoy reading these past article. 


January 5, 2004


February 10, 2004






October 3, 2004






22 comments:

Anonymous said...

My mom went to the convention center yesterday to pick up her racing packet for the MS Blues Marathon. Security escorted her to and from her vehicle. The crime is at an all-time low, but at least they recognize it!

Anonymous said...

The perception of crime is at an all time low, but, a Security escort to your car is needed?
That says all you need to know about the lies about downtown crime rates.
Lies, damn lies and statistics, right?

Anonymous said...

Why wasn't the Westin built across the street from the convention/telecom/boondoggle center?

Anonymous said...

What can you say? Nostradamus would have had a tough time trying to give an accurate prospectus of Jackson, Mississippi in the not so distant past.
Obviously there was a lot of wishful thinking, but it was not unreasonable thinking. The city has problems, really big problems. But it does have a convention center, which it didn't have, and if it can solve some of the crap it won't have the expense of building one. Now let's bitch and moan anyway.

Anonymous said...

4:01
Wishful thinking with other people's money, and yes it was unreasonable thinking. It's ALWAYS easier to do wishful things when it's not your money.
The opponents to the money pit could see that it was doomed to be a money pit, but they were ridiculed as short-sighted and just kind of stupid.
The developers made off like bandits and left the rest of us holding the bag. Apparently the "damn prophet" wasn't as much of a prophet as he thought, but his developer friends did okay.

Anonymous said...

Need to post the writings/comments of those who warned against this boondoggle.

Anonymous said...

2:58 - 'crime is at an all time low' WHERE? Can I buy some pot from you?

Anonymous said...

If you can’t drive down the roads to get there what use is it? Medgar Evers, Northside are damn near impassible.....

Anonymous said...

It's only the perception of negative cash flow.

Anonymous said...

@5:54

I think you missed the sarcasm in 2:58's comments.

Anonymous said...

Capitol City Sharecroppers—sounds like a great name for a minor league hockey team. Jackson should look into that...

Anonymous said...

We just put rocks in the holes and an orange barrel on the top like a cherry and consider it a fix. Now that’s acceptable downtown also.

Anonymous said...

@6:46 who is driving down Northside or Medgar Evers to get to the convention center? That doesn't make any sense.

Anonymous said...

I don't believe governments need to be building convention centers nor do I think they should be building trade marts, but we are about to get another trade mart also.

That said, I have a good experience picking up my blues packet yesterday and the place is still very nice. Just bigger and more expensive that anything in Mississippi would ever need.

Anonymous said...

5:15 AM, true, nor should the government be building football and baseball stadiums for professional teams. But, wink, wink, nudge, nudge, the respective mayor and pals usually get free "sky boxes" with all of the perks, which are generous to the extreme.

Anonymous said...

K>F>, would is be possible for you to obtain and public the P & L reports for the convention center for the last three years of operation? I am looking for details like utilities, salaries, event income etc.

Anonymous said...

It has not worked as planned.

Can we try to make it work better?

Or do y’all just like saying screw Jackson?

Anonymous said...

The votes are in....Screw Jackson.

Burrrrr said...

Reminds me of the brief time Jackson had an ice hockey team and we were going to build an ice hockey arena. Seems the team went bye bye before we could even vote on the arena.

Anonymous said...

A domed football stadium would fix this problem.

Anonymous said...

"Reminds me of the brief time Jackson had an ice hockey team and we were going to build an ice hockey arena. Seems the team went bye bye before we could even vote on the arena. "

Uh, maybe you have a short memory, but once the mover and shaker went to jail the money dried up right quick.

I did get a few pucks from the arena when they threw the hockey stuff out.

Anonymous said...

Baseball stadium w guaranteed attendance and community outreach.... convention center with no economic value outside of being a venue for private events.... city leaders lack vision and let a good opportunity pass them right on by.



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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
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