Jackson Jambalaya

Mayor previously said bills were (up to 3 months) unpaid because administration was not up to speed on new bill processing software. But now it's Stokes' fault for voting against claims docket?

Stokes for mayor !!

Chowke = Chief Bloviator

This is so much b/s that it is hard to know where to begin.

The contractor on the Mill Street bridge withdrew from work several months ago because they were not being paid. Just as they withdrew from another road project because--- they were not being paid. And they slowed down on another project because --- they were not being paid. Watching CAL in an earlier meeting blaimed one of these on the fact that the contractor had material/supplier issues. CAL in a press conference and the Council that the problem was city employees not being able to properly manage the 'new' accounting system. CAL is now saying this problem was due to a fiber optic line problem. Now< he is claiming that all is well because over the last couple of months they have everybody paid up to date>

BULLSHIT on all of the above, and others. The problem is that for years the city has not paid its bills on time. Two years ago in a city council meeting they approved paying three years worth of rental fees for several of the big pumps they use to pump shit from one end of the street to another. The city has had leased trucks that clean out sewer and drainage lines repoed because they had not paid the monthly rental fees.

To blame this on inept city employees is an admission of incompetence - both on the part of the employees and the administration. This "new" accounting system has been in operation for three years, after a year long transition. Can't learn how to enter contracts into the system for three years? Incompetence, ignorance, illegality? A combination or all three? Take your choice.

The fiber optic line on the Mill Street bridge was an issue last summer - a year ago. It has nothing to do with the current situation of the contractor leaving; nice try PW Director Leigh, but your attempt to protect your boss here doesn't hold water.

The sewer line on Mill Street was another deflection - the rental company that owned the sewer pump on that street --- JJ readers will remember the pictures of it spewing raw sewage across the street and into the creek down the street -- that pump has been removed by the rentor. Why? Didn't get paid!!

The claim that the sewer line runs under the railroad is a half truth; actually a secondary line runs under the railroad that could be abandoned. And the railroad isn't the one holding up anything - just as Director Leigh's claim that this involves federal regs. All it takes is abandoning the secondary 1950's line and replacing the failed line that runs along the street.But why not try to blame it on other folks, Mr. Leigh? Its what your boss has been doing on every failure since he took office.

At least the Mayor is finally admitting that the city had to pay a contractor in order to get them back to work; a claim he adamettedly denied only a month or so ago, when complaining that the contractor was soaking the city out of hundreds of millions of dollars profit, so they ought not complain about not getting paid timely.

What a load of crap. but we all should be happy - we have Farish Street Redux. All we have to do is wait for the wonderful results that will make us a successful radical new city.

Deflection...that's what he does.

He is so fucking petty.

So who is the contractor on all of these projects that isn’t getting paid? I have a guess, but want to verify. Is it the one who shows up with an envelope full of cash at the bid lettings and is told how sharp to make his pencil before the super turns in their bid?

@ 8:04 - its not a single contractor. Its everybody (or many) that do business with the city.

Its not just in Public Works - with contractors, although that is what has gotten attention lately. Its also the engineers; the companies that rent equipment; companies that repair equipment and systems. Its the company that has been managing the sewage treatment plant under contract.

And - it appears its in other departments as well; its not just the folks that work (or actually, don't work) in Public Works that are getting screwed.

There may be some folks that get paid timely; probably FOC or FOTF get their checks timely.

But if somebody is actually doing as you are saying - although I imagine the truth is you have nothing to back up that claim of illegality - you should be reporting your information to the State Auditor and the State AG. Hell, you could take that to the Feds (US Attorney) and I'll bet they would love to have it. But since you are just bloviating and making slanderous suggestions without basis - don't waste their time. They get plenty of folks with these suggestions but nothing to back them up.

Truth of the matter is that contractors don't have to 'sharpen their pencils' when bidding on projects with the City of Jackson because they don't have much competition. Most don't bid on Jackson's work because of this very problem, not getting paid. So they add plenty to their bid and say 'take it or leave it' - and the city has to take it.

The entire Shock-way administration is corrupt

NMSDC certification program, minority contractor or 8A business -probably and they want to get paid as well !
Minority contractors have to get paid and can’t live off of rhetoric!

In addition to not getting paid and dealing with incompetent city employees, most contractors don’t want to fool with the city’s EBO requirements. Chowke likes to talk about taking Richards because they are the cheapest, but he never mentions that Jackson’s EBO farce increases costs on every construction job by 20-25%. That’s millions and millions each year wasted.

Will no one (jackson media ) hold this mayor to some accountability?
He should be held to a least a level commiserate with his compensation ....

6:03 could explain ALL of his valid points to each resident and they would not care/understand.

Chuck knows how dumb the majority of Jackson is.
He could say unicorns are preventing the Mill St bridge completion and they would nod in unison, praise jesus and blame Tate.

That's why I left years ago.
You cannot make idiots understand they are being bamboozled. You just can't. And they vote as a majority block. Jackson was and is doomed. We don't have to like it. But it's true. They like CAL.

When you make a comment, please use the whole name of the group you are referencing. We don't all know what the initials stand for. Thanks.

Contractors won't work in Jackson under an array of different scenarios. Personal experience: house caught fire due to an electrical issue and heavy torrential rain last August. Meter loop was disconnected from the pole by Entergy and they would not reconnect unless a permit was pulled from the City authorizing an electrical contractor to complete the work.

I talked to 5 different electrical contractors until I found the one that was able to grease enough palms to get the half-drunk, slovenly piece of shit from the permit office out to inspect and sign off on the repairs. Took a week to reconnect my power. No wants to deal with this city because it is run by and is full of employees that don't give a damn about anything.

Coleman LeMaster bout to expose Keisha and LMN on wlbt tonight