"The City Council's got two options, the way I see it. One is bankruptcy or they can work with us and pass this bill," decreed State Senator Joel Carter (R - McInnis's 12 Bone BBQ) as the State Senate Energy Committee passed a bill that will create a utility district for the city of Jackson.
State Representative Shanda Yates (I - Walker's Drive Inn) authored the bill. HB #1677 creates the Metro Jackson Water Authority. The Authority will be tasked with operating water and sewer services served by the city of Jackson. History and text of bill.
A nine-member board will govern the Authority. The bill spells out who will sit on the board:
Mayor of Jackson
Two members at large (appointed by Jackson Mayor)
Member at large (nominated by Ridgeland, confirmed by City Council)
Member at large (nominated by Byram, confirmed by City Council)
Two members at large (appointed by Governor)
Member at large (appointed by Lieutenant Governor)
President of Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce or his representative
Needless to say, the mayors of Byram and Ridgeland raised hell about the prospect of the Jackson City Council approving their appointments. Earlier post with complete coverage of bill.
The Energy Committee amended the bill so the two cities will no longer have to get its nominees approved by the city of Jackson. The bill also replaces the President of the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce with another Governor's appointment. However, the Governor must confer with the Mayor of Jackson before making the appointment.
The amendment effectively removes control of the Authority from the city of Jackson.
The Committee also fixed another provision in the bill that drew criticism. The bill states any rate increases or sales of more than $5 million in bonds must be approved by three-fourths of the Board. Such a provision would allow the Mayor of Jackson and his two appointees to block any rate increases. The Energy Committee changed it to a two-thirds requirement for approval.
"We are not a third-world country. Everyone deserves clean drinking water," said State Senator Clark. There was no discussion on the bill as the State Senators declined to ask questions.
Jackson Mayor John Horhn challenged the amendment in a press release issued this afternoon:
As a former legislator, I know that legislation is a process, not a one‑day event. We remain optimistic about where this bill will ultimately land for Jackson’s residents. While we have serious concerns with certain provisions, we will continue to advocate for a water authority in which Jackson holds a majority of the seats. We are committed to working through the process to achieve a final measure that the City of Jackson can live with and that is mutually beneficial to everyone.
Because the city owns the water/sewer assets and will remain partly responsible for the system’s debt if the system cannot sustain itself, Jackson should hold a majority on the governing board. We are committed to ensuring that any system we are responsible for comes with a majority of votes for the City of Jackson, a majority of the customers and ratepayers.”
Ms. Yates said she was aware of the amendment and is ready to work with Senator Carter to finalize the bill during conference. "We have a handful of "technical" amendments to make as well as finalizing the board makeup. My goal is a fair and balanced board and I think that is where we will end up," said the State Representative.
The sad irony is that this will necessarily give Jackson representation, but history shows that whatever Jackson officials touch gets fouled up. Look for this little committee to be the next powder keg that gets blown up by typical Jackson city politics.
Horhn is stuck. Oppose his former Senate colleagues' modifications on this bill and risk their generosity to pass the Jackson targeted budget money he desperately needs to butter his bread. Horhn, if anyone, should know that those 'save the Capital City' soundbites don't carry much weight.
Why does Senator Carter believe he needs the City Council’s blessing to move forward with the bill? Screw the Jackson City Council and screw the City of Jackson. Besides being a collection of idiots, they’re part of the reason we are in this mess in the first place. It’s time for the adults to be in charge.
Thank Heavens for Mayor Horhn. Long may he serve. He hasn't made a misstep here and the state will reward him with more than any other electable candidate for his office could ever dream of accomplishing at this moment in city water history. This is trending well. As a reminder, everyone in the world associates Mississippi with Jackson so you haters are just owning yourselves.
As long as they continue to piss on Jackson. The landmass will continue to rake the bottom . All you do now is pick up the crumbs Tennessee , Louisiana and Alabama leave on the floor.
Cut jackson leaders out entirely until they can show cause and demonstrate leadership fiscally. State should take over city and public schools. In fact…revamp all jackson schools to year around with emphasis on trades asap.
Nobody is pissing on Jackson except the people of Jackson who keep electing frauds who can't pay their own water bills. You can't keep voting for crooks and expect things to change. Who is will rise up to take the place of people like Fabian and lead Jackson with integrity?
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!!!
16 comments:
Yep. I knew the Senate wasn't going to let that House bill fly with Jackson having the majority. Thank God.
Mayor term will almost be up when Jxn Water leaves.
Thank goodness for Shonda Yates!
My dog and two cats have better qualifications to sit on this board than anyone who resides in the "City" of Jackson.
Glad Byram and Ridgeland appts dont need city counsel approval. Smart amendment.
Changing the members of the authority to ensure city of Jackson and Mayor/City counsel cant return the system to crap was smart move.
The sad irony is that this will necessarily give Jackson representation, but history shows that whatever Jackson officials touch gets fouled up. Look for this little committee to be the next powder keg that gets blown up by typical Jackson city politics.
This just ain't going to work. Anything with that much COJ involvement is doomed from the start.
Horhn is stuck. Oppose his former Senate colleagues' modifications on this bill and risk their generosity to pass the Jackson targeted budget money he desperately needs to butter his bread. Horhn, if anyone, should know that those 'save the Capital City' soundbites don't carry much weight.
Why does Senator Carter believe he needs the City Council’s blessing to move forward with the bill? Screw the Jackson City Council and screw the City of Jackson. Besides being a collection of idiots, they’re part of the reason we are in this mess in the first place. It’s time for the adults to be in charge.
Thank Heavens for Mayor Horhn. Long may he serve. He hasn't made a misstep here and the state will reward him with more than any other electable candidate for his office could ever dream of accomplishing at this moment in city water history. This is trending well. As a reminder, everyone in the world associates Mississippi with Jackson so you haters are just owning yourselves.
Senator Clark, this is a third world country, and no one deserves anything. But , then, such word blather is how one gets elected to political office.
Just Deserts.
Jackson, by dereliction and utter incompetence over many years, earned its time in the whipping shed.
As long as they continue to piss on Jackson. The landmass will continue to rake the bottom . All you do now is pick up the crumbs Tennessee , Louisiana and Alabama leave on the floor.
Cut jackson leaders out entirely until they can show cause and demonstrate leadership fiscally. State should take over city and public schools. In fact…revamp all jackson schools to year around with emphasis on trades asap.
Nobody is pissing on Jackson except the people of Jackson who keep electing frauds who can't pay their own water bills. You can't keep voting for crooks and expect things to change. Who is will rise up to take the place of people like Fabian and lead Jackson with integrity?
I live in Ridgeland and don’t want to have any ties to the COJ. It’s the drowning victim that pulls you under.
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