The Jackson Municipal Airport Authority Commissioners tried yet again to hold a meeting yesterday but were unable to do so as it was unable to reach a quorum. Left undecided were resolutions to raise parking rates, hire Yolanda McElroy for $90,000, and renew the lobbying contract for $100,000,
Commissioners Robert Martin and Lucius Wright showed up while Commissioner Ricky Jones stayed away. The Board has two vacancies. The Jackson City Council appointed pediatrician Dr. Geraldine Chaney to the Board in June but she resigned before attending any meetings.
The three Commissioners attended the regular monthly meeting on July 25 but Mr. Jones suddenly walked out of the meeting after the Board postponed a vote on the claims docket at his urging.
On advice of Counsel John May, the two Commissioners voted to approve the claims docket "so the checks would go out" but the Board would still need to "ratify" the claims docket when it had a quorum. (15:00) The Board recessed last week when Mr. Jones walked out of the July 25 meeting. Since the Board has lacked a quorum, it is still in recess.
Notes from the Board Packet:
* Resolution (p.45) to renew contract with Yolanda McElroy to provide event planning and public relations for $90,000. The contract term is one year.
Mrs. McElroy is the wife of William McElroy. He is the subject of a lawsuit claiming the JMAA Board awarded him a contract even though it was $1 million more than the other two bids. Earlier post.
* Resolution for parking rate increase. Board wants to raise the daily rate for a surface lot from $10 to $13. (p.54)
* Resolution to renew $100,000 lobbying contract with Trey Daniels. (p.49)
* Market Share (p.17): Delta: 34%, American: 31%, Southwest: 29%
* JMAA and Hinds SO seek an MOU for the Sheriff to provide security at Hawkins Field. (p.38). JMAA law enforcement officers who work at Hawkins Field will be deputized.
* Resolution to hire a ADK Consulting at a budget of $41,900 plus expenses to recruit candidates for the CEO position. CEO Paul Brown resigned on June 13. (pps.22-36)
* Balance Sheet (p.37) :
Unrestricted cash: $15 million, double what it was a year earlier.
Accounts Payable: $495,201, Accounts Receivable: $2.3 million
*Income Statement (p.39):
Revenue YTD: $15 million, $1.9 million over projections
Board Travel is $17,366. The budgeted amount is $33,333.
Total Operating Expenses YTD: $10.9 million, Projected expenses: $11.1 million, - 278,015
Net Operating Income: $4.1 million, Difference between actual and budgeted: $2.2 million. (This is good.).
* Claims Docket (p.41). Some notable claims:
$17,833 for Educational Services for Hope, LLC, Roosevelt Daniels (Lobbyist): $7,500, May Law Firm: $24,456 (lawyers), UMB: $27,781, WRUA: $12,897, Landmark Consulting: $10,750, Expert Professional Solutions: $18,685
Total of claims docket: $562,624
27 comments:
Think they already jacked the parking rate, at least since 7/27.
Mr. Jones had to make his tee-time in Paris. Dr. Chaney was smart to quit to avoid getting some of that Jackistan stink on her hands.
As long as Chowke's never ending public address announcement remains functional all is good, right?
So why did the director and a board member abruptly resign? Why won't Ricky Jones attend the board meeting?
How can I get on this board?
Is there ANYTHING that the City of Jackson is responsible for that is NOT a shit show?? Can anybody name a single thing???
To anyone from the airport ooard reading this, For the second time, I want to enter my name and actual "meeting attending body" for membership on the sirport board.
This ain't rocket science guys, just airplane/Jet science, which any idiot can do (proof that it ain't no big beal lies within the current board membership). If chosen, I promise to vote with the board, accept suggestions, keep my mouth shut, and never turn down money freely offered to me for agreeing to do whatever he person with the bigest bundle of twenty dollar bills offers. Sadly, I do not accept checks or traceable serial nubered bills.
The board needs a friendly polybear and I am patiently waiting. Don;t wait long, the Mayor may need a committee member and then I might be to busy.
It's Dr. Yolanda McElroy to you all... get it right.
@ 2:14 That would be the shortest list in the world.
WTF do they need a lobbyist and an event planner for...? More friends and family members with their hands out?
The event planning and public relations job sounds like a nice gig. $90k a year, shady architect included.
That's Swell Kingfish, just Swell!
How are these people so goddamn incompetent?
I went to school with Yolanda Jones.... McElroy. There should be an investigation into anyone that would pay her $90,000 a year to plan parties. BTW, what in the hell are they partying about? This is the biggest joke in the world.
Attention Legislature!!!! Do something about this!!!
3:44 - you've got to fight, for your right, to PAAAARRRTTTTEEE !
Raise the parking rates?? Are you kidding me,?
With a year of record cash and profits, why the need to raise parking rates!
KF - how about a FOIA on who all at the airport gets to park for free in the spaces between garage and terminal.
No disrespect to Roosevelt Daniels.
But who is he?
Most lobbyists have an in, an angle, with someone that creates value in their lobbying services. Who does this guy know?
I hope that Daniels' job is to be a federal lobbyist. Otherwise, you would never ever have anything to show for the money you would spend having him lobby in the state of Mississippi - not that I think government entities should hire lobbyists at all.
So, to recap:
* Market Share (p.17): Delta: 34%, American: 31%, Southwest: 29% (because the former CEO got Southwest to return – not a new flag as the commissioner Martin proclaimed in a press conference)
* Balance Sheet (p.37) :
Unrestricted cash: $15 million, double what it was a year earlier.
*Income Statement (p.39):
Revenue YTD: $15 million, $1.9 million over projections
Net Operating Income: $4.1 million, Difference between actual and budgeted: $2.2 million. (This is good.).
Re: “This is good.” Yes, this is all good and no thanks to the board whatsoever.
Where are the audited financial reports? On the JMAA website, the last audited financial report posted is from 2020. Should there not be something more recent?
Also on the JMAA website under “Leadership” – really ought to rethink that… - Robert Martin is listed as a “resident of Jackson” – c’mon man, we sure? He is also listed as a former commercial airline pilot and military training pilot. That so? But he must drive to attend conferences? Makes sense. This quote – also fairly amusing “Influence un-used, is better not to have.” Nice, just put it out there.
And while we’re here – the CEO picture remains on the website as well. Pretty sure the man has moved on and with very good reason as is evidenced in the most recent “meetings” or attempt thereof.
No credible person would tolerate this nonsense given options. Like Dr. Geraldine Chaney, for example who never made it to the first meeting – seriously, how could she if they are constantly being rescheduled? Or Dr. Hursie Davis-Sullivan who was on the board for like 2 minutes in 2021 and resigned after being subjected to the show we are all watching now.
Take a look at other airport websites and learn about their boards – actual business people, respected members of the community, able to tell time, will show up (not out), heck – maybe even actually able to fly places on their own accord and not have to use their position to finance travel...
Vote all out. Vote 5 new in.
Why has the mayor not appointed replacement JMAA members? Why is a current member boycotting meetings? Is there an ongoing Federal investigation of JMAA?
Does this mean that the Paris junket is canceled for this year?
This means the Jackson Airport, Hawkins Field, and all things related will continue to suffer. Wouldn't it be nice to be proud of these structures and be able to enjoy them for ourselves and our visitors? Wouldn't it be nice to not have to constantly monitor these things, bitch and moan and groan incessantly, while it just continues on and on without any sign of change? Get off Paris, move on or go there yourself.
Competency is a state of mind. A glorified appointee can merely identify as "competent and deserving", a sort of occupational drag queen whose pretense is sufficient. Lil Choke is the prototype for all his sycophant patronage to ape.
@9:45 AM - It's just the perception of Paris, but I have been there four times, once to Canne, and twice to Nice, thank you.
So financially, the airport is doing great.
Close it.
Construct a new airport.
The location should be irrelevant.
(As long as the new one is outside of Jackson Admin. control)
Most folks don't realize while that airport is in Rankin, it's
legally part of the City of Jackson.
Also ... many people don't realize the City of Jackson also is part of Madison County.
(A small section of Madison County along I-220 ... near the Tougaloo area).
So the wife of the architect who won the bid with a quote $1 million over the other bids is now bleeding the JMAA for another almost $100,000 to plan events although she works at his architect firm and is a pharmacist, not a PR person (but is BFFs with the chairman of JMAA)?
Note: $28,000 is earmarked for events for their friend the mayor (who keeps awarding them water/sewer contracts, parking garage contracts and other expensive gigs that ultimately fail with no apparent work done) plus legislatures, supervisors and superintendent parties - maybe a thank you for all those funding their lavish lifestyle or an attempt to get a foot in more government coffers?
Since when does JMAA need community recognition and public image promotion? It's an AGENCY and has NO competition in the arena. Why isn't that money put to use improving facilities instead of being blown on "events"? When are Jacksonians going to open up their eyes and see the same 4-5 people/businesses robbing them blind while providing NO services. SMH.
Today makes another failed attempt. This tries to make Jones look bad but i bet it’s deliberate. The notice didn’t get posted until sometime today.
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