Was Jackson's Public Works Director sleeping on the job while the water system fell apart? Former Jackson Deputy Public Works Director Mary Carter made the accusation in a wrongful termination lawsuit she filed against the city in U.S. District Court on December 3, 2022. She claims the city fired her after she criticized her boss in an August 2022 WLBT interview.
The EPA cracked down on Jackson in 2021 for staffing problems at the O.B. Curtis water treatment plant. The facility only had two class A operators when it is supposed to have twelve operators. EPA regulations require a class A operator to be on duty at all times. Deputy Director Carter worked at the plant as an operator to provide relief to the two operators.
The real fun began in July 2021 when the Lumumba Administration appointed Marlin King to the position of Public Works Director. Mr. King was an architect by training who had no public works expertise.
The complaint accuses the Public Works Director of not taking his duties seriously. The EPA started holding bi-weekly meetings with Jackson officials and the Health Department to discuss Jackson's water system. Ms. Carter says her boss "sporadically" attended the meetings and was "often absent." She said when he did attend, he "was often observed to be sleeping and not attentive to the issues being address."
The meetings continued as the system limped along towards failure. The city hired two former Class A operators whose licenses had expired. Unfortunately, they both failed the tests and had to wait to retake it.
Ms. Carter says she tried to get a spreadsheet of plant employees and vacant positions so she could comply with the EPA order but the Public Works Director did not send her the spreadsheet (loader). Mr. King's laziness did not go unnoticed:
52.Beginningatthattime,EPAChiefMyersbeganexpressingconcerntothoseinattendancewiththebi-weeklyvirtualmeetingsthatMr.Kingwasnotadequately participatingwiththemeetingsandwasneededtoensurethatcommunicationwas flowingbetweenthe EPA and the City’sadministration.
The EPA order directed Jackson to hire more operators and maintenance staff but the city instead lost operators and maintenance staff. The EPA was not pleased and told, not asked, Mr. King in May 2022 to show how he would increase such staffing. A plan was developed and sent to the agency.
However, Mr. King's truancy continued.
Ms. Carter complained to Mr. King in an June 20, 2022 email:
71. In that email, she wrote, “During our EPA and MSDH meeting last Thursday. MSDH complained about…EPA also complained that you had missed three (3) of their meetings and that was unacceptable
An ammonia leak took place at the plant in early June. The Lumumba Administration as usual covered up the news and instead said there were "water pressure issues" in a textbook case of spreading disinformation. The EPA demanded more information about the leak. The complaint accuses Mr. King and his staff of dragging their feet in compiling the information. The EPA warned Jackson about the delay. Deputy City Attorney Terry Williamson took charge and provided the information to the agency.
Meanwhile, another Class A operator, albeit a temporary employee, quit in July 2022. Although Ms. Cater worked as an operator, the complaint states "there were times when no Class A operator was on duty" at the plant. The Lumumba Administration continued to hide the truth from the public and did not even advertise the open positions on the city website or on employment websites. Logs show the plant lacked Class A operators for 153 hours.
The complaint claims a Public Works employee leaked Ms. Carter's emails to WLBT. WLBT interviewed Ms. Carter on August 18, 2022. WLBT story. The Deputy Director criticized Mr. King several times in the interview. Needless to say, the Lumumba Administration was not too happy with Ms. Carter going rogue.
Mayor Lumumba told Ms. Carter to attend an August 22 meeting at City Hall. Expecting a discussion on the water plant operations, the Deputy Director arrived to a meeting of the Lumumba Inquisition. The Mayor, City Attorney, CFO, Public Works Attorney, and City Engineer present. Mayor Lumumba looked directly at Ms. Carter and warned "We should not be airing our dirty laundry in public."
The water treatment plant failed a week later. MEMA established a command center and took over plant operations. The Lumumba Administration fired Mr. King and appointed Jordan Hillman as interim Public Works Director.
The complaint complains Ms. Hillman froze the Deputy Director out of meetings. She griped in a September 9 email to Ms. Hillman and Chief of Staff Dr. Safiya Omari about her exclusion. Ms. Hillman fired her later that day.
The complaint charges Jackson violated Ms. Carter's first amendment right's through retaliation after she talked to WLBT. The plaintiff asked for reinstatement, back wages, compensatory damages, and attorneys' fees.
Attorney Louis Watson represents Ms. Carter. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Kristi Johnson.
Mr. King did not appreciate Ms. Carter's allegations in the WLBT interview. When Mr. King left the city's employment, he released a June 2022 letter he sent to Ms. Carter.
This earlier post contains the emails and complaints mentioned in his letter.
The Mayor may not want dirty laundry aired but that is apparently what is going to happen. Stay tuned.
Naw, given the fact that Chuckalock was on top of what was going on , he would not tolerate anyone sleeping on the job. Its impressive to see Chockalock manage the JPD, JFD, 911, Public Works, garbage and all other departments as well as make the fine appointments to JPOS and others as he does while maintaining such a heavy travel schedule.. Obviously , he couldn't do it all without Ruckkoo..BTW- where does she stay?
City of Jackson: Lots of people with jobs for which they are not qualified. If you ARE qualified or bring attention to this fact you are isolated and ultimately removed as a threat to the status quo. Absolute incompetence is protected.
Lol. This is pure Jackson! I love it! Keeping it real! Literally the worst city in America! You can’t say shit about it either or you will be condemned as a racist!
To be serious, the list is very long of Jackson employees who work very little, if any. I've dealt with many of them. Five hours of productive work per week would have been considered a ton for many of them. Some of those higher up knew how to disappear.
If the city was not a total sh*t show, I would say this is not a huge deal and need more context. But given the absolute abysmal aspect of every portion of the City of Jackson this is not a good look. The fact that literally nobody even answers 911 calls and the national media care not, is proof that this is not going to get better. Good luck residents. I cannot imagine.
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!!!
29 comments:
Amateurs, all. Right?
Why does this not surprise anyone?
Doesn't the Mississippi Tort Claims Act limit her actual damages to 500k?
Give him some credit for being present, unlike all of the city's
no-show friends of Chowke.
Power naps are said to be good for you.
500k is 500k
The truth finally comes out- "air it"
Naw, given the fact that Chuckalock was on top of what was going on , he would not tolerate anyone sleeping on the job. Its impressive to see Chockalock manage the JPD, JFD, 911, Public Works, garbage and all other departments as well as make the fine appointments to JPOS and others as he does while maintaining such a heavy travel schedule.. Obviously , he couldn't do it all without Ruckkoo..BTW- where does she stay?
The real fun began in July 2021 when the Lumumba Administration appointed Marlin King to the position of Public Works Director.
Boy does this sound familiar, right Jordan?
City settles before discovery.
He doesn’t look any different than any other City of Jackson employee
City of Jackson: Lots of people with jobs for which they are not qualified. If you ARE qualified or bring attention to this fact you are isolated and ultimately removed as a threat to the status quo. Absolute incompetence is protected.
Somnolence upon viewing a Federal Government Powerpoint presentation is an affirmative defense.
City of Jackson real property owners-
your ad valorem taxes will be increased to cover costs incident to this litigation.
Jackson- the gift that keeps on taking.
Lol. This is pure Jackson!
I love it! Keeping it real!
Literally the worst city in America!
You can’t say shit about it either or you will be condemned as a racist!
King is Jackson's version of Hunter Biden
Jordan Hillman sure is proving to be the compliant lackey.
I suspect what happened in that pic was a long, boring ass zoom call took place. I've done it before on zoom.
Narcolepsy! King should file for his PERS disability and start getting his 13th check before it runs out!
I hope this gets to discovery.
They aren't taking back the 600 million, Kingfish.
When you work 120 hours per week, you get tired!
To be serious, the list is very long of Jackson employees who work very little, if any. I've dealt with many of them. Five hours of productive work per week would have been considered a ton for many of them. Some of those higher up knew how to disappear.
I've been in hundreds of meetings with EPA. In this case, I don't blame him for nodding off.
Ooops!
There weren't supposed to be any notes or documents created that memorialize the excellence of Operation Full Flush!
@10:52 It is a federal suit so it isn’t subject to the MS Tort Claims Act.
If the city was not a total sh*t show, I would say this is not a huge deal and need more context.
But given the absolute abysmal aspect of every portion of the City of Jackson this is not a good look.
The fact that literally nobody even answers 911 calls and the national media care not, is proof that this is not going to get better.
Good luck residents. I cannot imagine.
3:29 PM
Good of you to join us, Mr. King.
This is 3:29. I'm not King and have never been employed by the City of Jackson or EPA.
The mayor demoted Dr. Williams and appointed Marlin King as PWD.
Post a Comment