Jackson Jambalaya

Chicken bones and wine bottles....

You forgot the hookers. Who's gonna pay for the STD's.

Board needs to be fired and start over.

Spending other people's money and not doing their job.

The JMAA Board exists for this purpose. They don't just sit in an office and vote the airport into the 21st century.

PARIS
IN THE
THE SPRING

(HINT: IT'S ALL A TRICK)

While this is a terrible waste of money, it's really no different from Feel Brant flying around the globe under the pretense of economic development. Same as Michelle and her friends taking purse-hunting vacations at our expense for eight years, the MadCo Board of Supervisors sending a delegation to D.C. every six months and Bennie Thompson flying back home to throw quarterly fish fries.

They all spend our money like drunken bridge-dwellers.

This is a joke! They ran off the CEO and now they want to go to the Air Show.

A luggage handler at the airport would do better at the air show than these idiots. This is a collective IQ of a biscuit representing the Bold New City of Jacktown in Paris folks.

Congrats you earned it.

This is living large, folks. The key sentence in the Kingfish note that puts the cherry on top regarding the essence of the meeting:

It has nothing to do with airports.

I don't see much difference in that and something like the State Board of Public Accountancy all skipping over to Hawaii for a conference. They all do it and all should be ashamed.

This is crazy irresponsible. If this keeps up the next thing we will read about is Baby Chok going to Iceland.

//sarcasm mode off//

With my familiarity with France, these folks will learn what real racism is. Bon voyage!

What's the chance their luggage gets lost on the way and they have to pick up some reimbursed fancy French duds to make the right impression? Any good layovers planned on the trip?

This is an insane, horrible expense. It is totally a junket. There is no need to pay these expenses. One can only hope that the one remaining runway at the airport is not working on the day they are to depart. And one hopes that they need to use the American wing of the airport and hold their collective bladders as there are no functional bathrooms on that wing. "Temporarily." Which means for many months.

Will they fly out of New Orleans or Memphis to save money?

SMDH at all the haters and complainers! Everybody knows you'd best be breaking some eggs to fix one of them ahmletes! Or sufflays. Or whatever!

Better get it while they can.

When I was a member of a state board/commission, a national conference was held in Hawaii. I declined to go because it was a complete waste of our state's money. Most others attended. I'm sure this goes on all of the time with other state, county, city, and regional boards and commissions and nothing is ever said.

They are going 3 days early and staying an extra 2 days as well. They're living large! Plus, Europe in the Summer is the high season for travel. Add a few bills a day for each.

I could understand the trip if it was to Paris TX. Waste of money, no way to justify the expensive

What companies are these people meeting with?

"Will they fly out of New Orleans or Memphis to save money?"

Best Comment Award Winner - 05.06.2019

Will it be coach-business class-first class? To Paris it does make a difference.

This is

Beyond

disgusting!

Fire those bloodsuckers.

i got new for all you people. the legislature over the years has created about a thousand of these boards and administrative agencies, many of which no-one has ever heard of. 99% of these boards and administrative agencies exits for one purpose, so that politicians can hand out gold brick, do nothing, well paying jobs, and in this case some serious travel benefits, to their cronies in return for a political payback later on down the line. you didn't know that? well, now you know. this is classic example what being politically connected is all about. its also just another example of how government , not a sector of private enterprise, is the only growth industry in mississippi. i see where one commissioner is a "pastor". i would love to read about his experience in the airline industry.
"

remember the portion of the movie NATIONAL LAMPOONS EUROPEAN VACATION where the griswalds are in paris? thats what this crew will look like.

I worked for Northrop Grumman - the country's third largest military / aerospace contractor in 2012 - when it pulled out of participating in the Paris Air Show. It cited declining returns from the millions of dollars it spent on having a major presence at PAS. What makes these JMAA board members think they know more than than a maker of international aircraft - including the B-2 stealth bomber - about PAS, which doesn't have anything to offer small municipal airports?

4:51,
this ain't the legislature picking these rubes to go to Paris. This is Lil Chuckwayye, all day long. Shame on him and I hope the news blows this wide open.

No offense, but on a side note, do you trust a dude whose beard is lined perfectly? On the Down Low Chok? Just asking...

White people did this shit when they had power. Now that African-Americand run things, ww are expected to abstain from the few benefits that are available to public servants? That's racism, pure and simple. Kingfish is no different than other white wing racists who spread anger among ignorant whites who think we invented these activities.

to Donna Chang at 6:03 p.m. "Did you say "white" wing? Cause I could have sworn you said "white" wing?!" Kingfish! That's GOLD man!

Graft - the acquisition of money, gain, or advantage by dishonest, unfair, or illegal means, especially through the abuse of one's position or influence in politics, business, etc.

Really shocked that all these fiscally conservative budget hawks don't have anything to say about politicians who play lots of golf on our dime. Seems like I remember it being a big deal once upon a time.

Everyone who has ever held a middle management position for a national company knows these perks come up every so often and when they do it’s golden!! Most corporations reserve these perks for the top performers. This is handed out to an entire staff of non-performers. That’s what is ridiculous about this situation. If the headline read:
“Airport Board Member (s) To Attend Paris Air Show In Hopes To Double Last Year’s Historic Profits”, no one would be anything but congratulatory. In this case it’s more like, “Jackson Airport Struggles To Survive. Board Fiddles In Paris While It Burns”
I wouldn’t give a flying flipping F*** if they were all yellow with green polka dots, they have no reason to take this trip on the government dime. They should have to pay out of their own pockets to attend the Northpark Balloon Glow.

Quit using race as a condemnation, crutch or crusade and this country will be much better off. Be accountable.

What May 7, 2019 at 1:18 AM said!!!!!

Don't begrudge these folks, I would spend every dime before the state takes it over.
Once the state gets it we will be lucky to have anything but cropdusters flying out of it.

May 6, 2019 at 10:56 PM = fake feigned outrage comment

10:56 does have a point

Right on 6:03. It's you all turn. You see it as just another form of reparations. Entitlement. Having the combination to the safe been a long time comin' and ain't nobody gone burdge you away from the trough til all the slop gone. Goose-Gander. Oink.

7:35 am = 10:56 pm

You do it every time. Dope!

I hope the board's agenda in Paris will be part of the public record. Who will members meet with? What are the subjects of those discussions? What are the measurable goals for this trip? Is JMAA coordinating with other public agencies in Mississippi for maximum benefit?

There are quite a few white people written about on the pages of this website who might disgree with that comment.

One thing not mentioned in the post. Economic development teams usually attend these air shows, especially when they have a line on a project.

However, the Board, especially one particular Lawyer/CPA/Bankruptcy Trustee/Pastor, tried to sever all relations with the Jackson Chamber and Rankin First - the economic development teams who would go to these air shows and land projects, all over the airport fight. They don't have a clue about economic development nor do they want to talk to anyone who does.

My source advised me earlier this evening that they are traveling business class and staying in a 4* hotel.

We shouldn't expect less for globally respected representatives of a radical world class international airport, with only one operational runway.

"My source advised me earlier this evening that they are traveling business class and staying in a 4* hotel."

Does it matter how they are traveling or where they are staying or is it the implied cost of such travel versus the actual cost of it? I fly a fair amount and am regularly "no-cost/unofficially" up'ed on certain carriers, especially on frequently-flown routes and some of which are also tourist routes. If they are paying full fare and rack rates, that is a real problem above the fact they are going to Paris, but if they are paying deeply discounted rates and getting a complementary upgrade, the "class" of travel isn't an issue. That said, why these clowns are going to the Paris Air Show at all speaks to the entirety of the problems facing Jackson.

Hey y’all! Is your mayor with 3 names gonna go? Them Paireeshuns might have some difficulties saying all three of them names in a sentence. His smilin face just might be there!

Per Facebook, the Clarion Ledger just "broke" this story 20 mins ago.

Who is paying for this trip? And should’t they finish repaving the other parallel runway before they do anything like this???

If they are devious enough to pull this stunt, there is no telling what else is going on.

The city will pay!! And it’s not like we need roads or anything? Taxes out of sight. Poo in our water!! At least a murder a day. Sometimes 4 a day. These are necessities that need to be dealt with 😡😡😡. NOT a trip to Paris!!!!

It is not beyond reason that 2-3 Board Members go and stay for the first few days of the show which is when all the business is done. There are other similar sized airports from the US that will also be there. They should be coordinating with the local economic developers and MDA on all business meetings and ask to sit in (and be quiet) where it makes sense. It is completely unreasonable to have all Commissioners go (with support staff) and take 12 days when only 5 days are necessary. One to get there, three for the show, one to get back. Next.

What is funny is that Jackson people will always say "its your capital city too and you should be responsible for helping pay for infrastructure repairs", until you start criticizing then they say "you don't have a dog in this, you don't live in Jackson". Baby Chok, here is your chance to make a stand, not be a lifeless suit. Do a press conference(we all know how much you like those) and tell them we are not going to Paris because our city is in such shambles.

First couple of days are closed to the public. This isn't some trade show in Vegas where you cold call or prospect, get bags of goodies, and get drunk at night. Many CEO's attend this air show.

Airports generally do not attend the show while economic development teams do. JMAA should be working with MDA, Rankin First, GJCOC, or other similar groups. Oh, that's right, the Board tried to leave both organizations so the level of cooperation is probably not optimal.

As stated earlier, you don't go over there to prospect. Teams usually attend if they already have a line or a project or are already developing a relationship with a company.

MDA usually works with those teams that attend such as Golden Triangle, MCEDA, GJCOC, etc. It's work. Real work. Staff has to get up at 4 or so, ride public transit for an hour, get there at least an hour before exhibit opens, work all day, then attend evening functions. Get back to hotel at 11 or so, get back up at 4. Attendees said it is nothing but work and that they might as well be in Shabuta because they don't see Paris unless they stay over on their own time when the show concludes.

Oh, and let me make this clear.

The JMAA is spending JMAA money on this trip. JMAA money stays at the airport. By law it can not make it over to the city of Jackson. Now, JMAA derives its funds from a variety of sources such as grants, fees, landing fees, leases, taxes, and so on. However, this isn't taking away from the "pothole fixing money" as some people think is the case.

@ 6:03 pm - maybe so, but they must have accomplished something for the city to prosper and be a magnet hub for so long. What is the claim to fame for your Dim-O-Krat utopia other than being leading story on the 6 & 10 PM news for dead people in the street?

Just keep on being satisfied with sub-standard education system turning out record numbers of Mickey "D" workers. Keeping the car manufacturers busy replacing cars due to crumbling city streets thats being washed daily by neglected water system where no one pays their bill.

Me, I'm all for Jackson government traveling so the rest of the world can see first hand what is happening from losers playing the fake race card and blame game. Too bad they won't take Kennefuh Stokes with them, so people from all over the world can get a good look and interact with rampant stupidity and racism that abounds in Jackson and every other Dim-O-Krat run town in Mississippi.

The Jackson airport authority can't even get a runway project completed. A 300 day start to finish project has now turned into almost 2 years with no completion in sight. These folks don't know how to run a business and a $40,000 plus vacation is not a proper way of awarding someone for doing a poor, unacceptable job.

WHEN IS THE TRI-COUNTY BOARD OF DIRECTORS GOING TO TAKE OVER THIS MESS AND DEVELOP THE AIRPORT INTO WHAT IT SHOULD BE.

Brazen pack of thieves. Unconscionable!

Let's organize a "bon voyage" party at the airport to celebrate their departure. This should feel like a "perp walk" as they walk through he concourse, because they are stealing from the public. There is no legitimate government here to justify the expense, given the work that needs to be done right here.

"... government interest..."

to may 6 @4:56..... probably so. but at least the griswalds paid their own way. more than can be said for this tribe.

Kingfish, May 9, 2019 at 9:30 AM, JMAA may not be responsible for city infrastructure, but they certainly are for airport infrastructure. A friend flying out today said that there were no working restrooms in their terminal and they had to use port-o-potties! Outside! In the rain! The last two times I was there, everyone was in line to use the one-seater family baby-changing station because it was the only one working.
This trip is insane. No organization takes and entire board and full staff, especially with days padding each side of the said event!