Jackson Jambalaya

CNBC recently ranked the states in terms of business environment. Mississippi ranked 45 although its cost of business ranked 11. States were ranked in ten categories. CNBC report.

A bunch of towing services are raising hell with the City of Jackson, claiming they aren't paid enough at $65 a tow. Jackson offered $75 a tow, (I didn't know Jackson had the money to offer raises of any type), but that wasn't good enough for these guys. No, they want $125 a tow. The City of Jackson should tell these guys to go to hell. If they go on strike, I am quite sure there are other towing services more than happy to get some extra business. The price they are demanding is gouging, pure and simple. Don't believe me? Go call a few services and get some quotes on how much they charge. Very few of them will be for $125.

What is despicable is these guys are getting a guaranteed stream of business. In the real world, not the fantasyland these guys inhabit, the customer typically gets a better price for a certain amount of business. These malcontents don't just want guaranteed business from the city but the right to charge high prices as well. They claim Rankin County and others pay them more. It seems to me Rankin County should open up some contracts for some competitive bidding the first chance it gets and Jackson should tell these guys to get lost.

The Madison County Board of Supervisors sued MDOT, MDOT Executive Director Larry Brown, and MDOT Commissioner Dick Hall for $20 million in damages on June 4, 2010.  Madison County accuses the defendants of breaching a Memorandum of Understanding that bound MDOT to provide $6 million to Madison County for the construction of the Reunion Parkway interchange with I-55.  Madison County alleged MDOT issued a different set of conditions in January for receipt of the funds. The complaint states the purpose of the new guidelines was to provide "MDOT with more control of the project." The lawsuit was filed by County Attorney Eric Hamer.

The defendants filed the typical answer: deny, deny, deny, admit, admit, deny most defendants file in such cases. MDOT filed a Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim on July 2, 2010. MDOT claims according to state law, only MDOT can be served with a lawsuit and if served, such process must be served upon the Secretary. Madison County served Attorney General Jim Hood with the complaint. None of the defendants were served through MDOT (page 2 of the attached file). MDOT also asked for the Court to make Madison County pay court costs and attorney's fees for defending against this complaint.

If Hamer screwed up serving the lawsuit, it would be interesting to see how much of his bill is paid by the County. Copy of complaint and motion to dismiss.

Gallo's email about the show tomorrow sent out today:
"8:05 Jim Leggette, Adjunct Professor of Economics @ Belhaven and John Allison, Commissioner of MS Dept. of Banking & Consumer Finance.
Topic-The new Financial Reform legislation and hidden provision in ObamaCare. In case you missed another hidden gem, here it is....

(CNNMoney.com)-An all-but-overlooked provision of the health reform law is threatening to swamp U.S. businesses with a flood of new tax paperwork. Section 9006 of the health care bill -- just a few lines buried in the 2,409-page document -- mandates that beginning in 2012 all companies will have to issue 1099 tax forms not just to contract workers but to any individual or corporation from which they buy more than $600 in goods or services in a tax year. The stealth change radically alters the nature of 1099s and means businesses will have to issue millions of new tax documents each year."

Sounds familiar.  Earlier post 
Yes, I'm having some fun with Mr. G. ;-)

Keith Plunkett of Congressman Harper's office is raising money to fight Alzheimer's Disease with his Lucy's Revenge project. Check out the brochure above and help if you can.

"Former Senate majority leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.), now a D.C. lobbyist, warned that a robust bloc of rabble-rousers spells further Senate dysfunction. "We don't need a lot of Jim DeMint disciples," Lott said in an interview. "As soon as they get here, we need to co-opt them."

But Lott said he's not expecting a tea-party sweep. "I still have faith in the visceral judgment of the American people," he said." From the Washington Post.

Yes Tent, we don't need a bunch of new congressmen who would say no to Bush-Paulson-Obama bailouts, no to Obamacare, no to Bush-Obama stimulus crap that doesn't work, and dysfunctional governments that can't do their basic jobs when it comes to hurricanes and oil spills. There is a reason liberals never frothed at the mouth when you were in the Senate like they did other conservatives and that is because they knew you were more interested in making deals than actually standing up for something.   As far as I am concerned,  working as a lobbyist suits you well because it means you can now get paid to be the trollop you always were.

For more information, go to the Facebook page.

NOTE: Kingfish will be a judge. That's right. The Kingfish will be judgin' some bbq.  This should be fun. Monica Hernandez of WLBT will be a judge as well.

JJ reported last month:
"Karen Irby and her attorney, William Bell, filed an appeal to the Mississippi Supreme Court yesterday. Mrs. Irby requested the Court overturn Judge Green's ruling and order her to recuse herself from the sentencing of Karn Irby." Earlier post, Copy of appeal to Mississippi Supreme Court

Wonder what Joe will do now? Keep it alive? Withdraw? Just got a little interesting.

 Copy of documents

Judge Winston Kidd ruled against Narcanon in Linda Francomb's lawsuit filed against the corporation specializing in substance abuse rehabilitation.  Mrs. Francomb sued Narcanon, Robbie Bell, and George Bell, III after George Bell, III murdered her daughter. Narcanon filed a motion to dismiss.  Judge Kidd ruled against the company on June 29, simply stating the defendants "amended motions are denied".  Narcanon operates a drug rehab facility where Mr. Bell spent three months.  He entered the treatment center shortly after he savagely beat Ms. Spencer and was released two days before he killed her.  Ms. Bell settled with Mrs. Francomb last year.

In a separate lawsuit filed by Elizabeth Hall against Robbie Bell, Judge Yerger will hold a hearing on August 9, 2010 about the issue of Ms. Bell's phone records. Ms. Hall's attorney, Johnny Givens, subpoenaed her phone records  from AT&T.  Ms. Bell's lawyer, Todd Burwell, filed a motion to quash the subpoena and in the alternative, asked the judge to seal the records.  See earlier post.

Tye Densford, the owner of the now-closed Tye's Restaurant, obtained a judgment against the Managing Editor of the Mississippi Link for a bad check written to his business by Mr. Cain several months ago. Mr. Cain hosted a Sunday brunch at Tye's restaurant earlier this year for his movers and shakers crowd. Mr. Cain paid Mr. Densford with a check for $1,069. Mr. Cain did not even appear to defend against the complaint filed. A default judgment was entered against Mr. Cain for $1,369. Mr. Cain still has not paid the judgment.

Othor Complaint Tye

Othor Cain Abstract of Judgment-1

The Rankin Ledger reported on June 26:

"Charles Louie Kuebler, 5/2/1984, 24 Highland Meadows Drive, Jackson, DUI: first offense (penalty); vehicle: improper/expired inspection certificate (sticker); vehicle-careless driving"

I warned you nearly two years ago the Democrats would be looking at your private retirement accounts. Sure enough, the Department of Labor stated in a proposed rule in the Federal Register it is

"currently reviewing the rules under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the plan qualification rules under the Internal Revenue Code (Code) to determine whether, and, if so, how, the Agencies could or should enhance, by regulation or otherwise, the retirement security of participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans and in individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) by facilitating access to, and use of, lifetime income or other arrangements designed to provide a lifetime stream of income after retirement. The purpose of this request for information is to solicit views, suggestions and comments from plan participants, employers and other plan sponsors, plan service providers, and members of the financial community, as well as the general public, on this important issue."


What exactly does "enhance, by regulation or otherwise" mean? Could it be some simple regulations on fees, disclosures, and investment advice or a mandate to employers telling them what kind of plans they can offer?  The proposed rule provides some "background" as a justification for this meddling and an indication of where the Department of Labor is going:

"Department of Labor data, however, show a trend away from sponsorship of defined benefit plans, toward sponsorship of defined contribution plans. The number of active participants in defined benefit plans fell from about 27 million in 1975 to approximately 20 million in 2006, whereas the number of active participants in defined contribution plans increased from about 11 million in 1975 to 66 million in 2006."

Ruh-roh. The good ole pensions v. 401k debate. The government provides its justification in the next paragraph:

"While defined contribution plans have some strengths relative to defined benefit plans, participants in defined contribution plans bear the investment risk because there is no promise by the employer as to the adequacy of the account balance that will be available or the income stream that can be provided after retirement...


Accordingly, with the continuing trend away from traditional defined benefit plans to 401(k) defined contribution plans and hybrid plans, including the associated trend away from annuities toward lump sum distributions, employees are not only increasingly responsible for the adequacy of their savings at the time of retirement, but also for ensuring that their savings last throughout their retirement years and, in many cases, the remaining lifetimes of their spouses and dependents."

Seems the government has a problem with you being responsible for your own money. Can't have the rubes making their own decisions on their own retirement planning, can we? Its pretty clear from the Department's language it favors pensions over 401k's and other IRA's. Copy of notice in Federal Register. It should be pointed out this is simply a "Request for Information" and NOT a proposed rule. The Department is asking for comments on the pros and cons of all types of retirement plans. However, this is the first step the government would take if it were to follow Dr. Ghilarducci's advice (see earlier post) and Congressman George Miller's goal of removing the tax breaks for IRA's and push everyone into a Government-Retirement Account. They think your money is really their money.

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JJ asked in a poll last week where its readers live. Its needless to say but the majority of readers live in NE Jackson, Madison, Ridgeland, and Belhaven. We've picked up a good bit of readers from around Mississippi as that group came in third. Thanks for reading and supporting this website.

WLBT reported last week a local Jackson resident, Theresa Moody, was the victim of a bash and dash robbery when she went inside the Fondren Post Office and left her purse in the front seat of her car. She sent me a couple of emails last week that I will post in this forum:

"Tuesday morning at 10:25 a.m., Front Door Fondern Post Office, during the 20 seconds I was inside checking my box, along with 15 / 20 other people, my driver car window was crashed and my purse snatched and gone. Of course, I know better than to leave the damn purse in the car, but, hey, I was just in the P. O. for 20 seconds (I know cause I have timed it since). In that 20 seconds, the thief crashed my Honda Pilot window and took my Prada Purse with all of my life inside.

I have since learned there have been 4 or 5 such crash and dashes since last Friday, the last being at 5:10 p.m. last night. I contacted WLBT, who did a story which ran at 4, 5, 6 and 10 yesterday, July 7. It was, in fact, running when the last incident occurred. WHAT???

Today, when I went back to the P.O. to raise a little hell with the Supervisor, I noted there were no police, guards, camera, signs or give a shit meters anywhere on site. I asked the Post Master if he had notified his authorities, he said he had and they said it was the JPD responsibility. I asked if he had called them, and if, he had not, WHY. And, furthermore, WHY, since there had been 4 breakins in 4 days, was he not outside guarding the place. No answer." (First email)

"To update you:
I called JPD, Precinct #4 - when they answered and I explained why I was calling and asking why there was no police presence at the P. O. or on the street, or in a parking lot, etc. - they replied, "well, what do you want us to do?" I give up.

I called the Fondren Association of Business (David Waugh with Professional Staffing). He seems nice, but not very aggressive. I guess that's my job.

I went to the Exxon Station at 255 W. Woodrow Wilson, where the perps charged $300 on my Exxon credit card after it had been reported stolen. They only keep their camera feed for three days. I'm late.

I guess it's just me against the pursue snatching SOB gang from hell. When I spoke with Precinct #4, she asked me if I was the lady who left my purse on the seat in the car. I said "No, I'm the one whose car window was smashed and my purse stolen." Trying to blame me for my stupidity in leaving the purse in the car - seems their focus is on the wrong party. There I go getting pissed again."

I can testify to similar behavior from other victims who have gone to JPD recently. One friend of mine was stalked and seriously threatened by an ex-boyfriend, went to file report/charges and was told by the female officer at the precinct she needed to change her number and that all they would do is mail him something. I sent a detailed email to Chief Coleman, never heard a peep in response. Less for today is: do not leave your purse in your car. Period.

The April 2010 Monthly Housing Report published jointly by Re/Max and the Associated Press is now available. Lets see what the statistics are for the Jackson area and compare them to a year ago:

Number of Transactions
Current Month: 453
One month change: 5.84%
One year change: 16.45%

Active Inventory
Current Month: 3,524
One month change: -6.82%
One year change: -16.31%

Month's Supply of Inventory
Current Month: 7.78

Days on Market
Current Month: 99
One month change: -3.75%
One year change: 7.82%

Median Price – Sold
Current Month: $140,000
One month change: 7.73%
One year change: 3.7%

Here is the report from April 2009:

Number of Transactions
Current Month: 479
One month change: -7.71%
One year change: -6.63%

Active Inventory
Current Month: 3.995
One month change: -5.24%
One year change: -5.47%

Month's Supply of Inventory
Current Month: 8.3

Days on Market
Current Month: 117
One month change: 13.15%
One year change: 19.64%

Median Price – Sold
Current Month: $148,000
One month change: 0.00%
One year change: 2.14%

The number of transactions were down by twenty-six units, time on market was down by roughly a couple of weeks, inventory was down slightly, and days on market has dropped by eighteen days. However, the median price has dropped by $8,000 to $140,000, just outside the normal fluctuation of a few thousand dollars I would normally expect. The market really hasn't changed that much although the drop in price does have my attention.

Note to Ted Dearman over at the Clarion-Ledger: This is how you compare real estate sales. Earlier post

This is the new uniform at Cups, especially on your last day.

The Irby saga grew yet another set of pink ears and kept banging on the drum as William Bell filed a Motion to Withdraw as Counsel with the Mississippi Supreme Court on July 8. Can't scan it right now but I'll type out what it says:

"Comes now William C. Bell, attorney of record for Karen Irby in the above-styled case, and pursuant to Rule 1.16 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, moves the court to enter an order allowing William C. Bell to withdraw as the attorney for Karen Irby and in support of the motion would show to the court the following:
1. Professional considerations require termination of my representation of Karen Irby in the above-style case.
2. Karen Irby has discharged me as her attorney, and I am therefore not in a position to take any action in this case other than to withdraw.

Wherefore, premises considered, William C. Bell respectfully requests that the court enter an order allowing William C. Bell to withdraw as the attorney of record for Karen Irby in the above-styled case."

Earlier post

Crime stats for Jackson, week ending July 4, 2010.

Major crimes overview for Jackson, week ending July 4, 2010.

City of Madison crime reports through July 7, 2010.

Want to get more involved in elections, politics, or campaigns at the grassroots level? There are now a couple of online tools available. The Tea Party Patriots have produced an online training website for Tea Party members (small donation required) at this website. American Majority has some at their website as well. However, there is this really good tool I've been examining Procinct, a website designed for precinct-level activists. It even has an app for smartphones. An advertisement for Procinct states:

"-Manages all your precinct/district voter data securely online and shares it privately with your trusted volunteers
-Key: Unlike Voter Vault and PDI, PROCINCT allows you to save your notes and knowledge about each voter - from election to election.
-Compare Precinct Maps: PDI's Map vs. the PROCINCT map (if data available for your area)
-Compare Price: PDI - $1,500/month vs. PROCINCT - FREE
-Unlike Voter Vault or PDI, your party superiors cannot take PROCINCT away from you.
-Keeps work diaries of your volunteers' activities
-Helps manage voter email lists
-Online Call Center coming soon
-Includes PROCINCTmobile Call Center/Walk Center (Virtual Phone Bank) app for field use
-Delegation system helps you and your deputies assign tasks and follow-up on time
-Helps identify, track, and manage neighborhood volunteers who are not online
-Includes a pledge system that tracks and keeps donations on schedule with personalized pledge reminder (and thank you!) emails to you and the donor.
-Gives you a permanently hosted, customized donations page (works thru Paypal).
(not the county, state or national committee, your local sub-county committee)
-Keep notes on every voter you or your volunteers contact
-Suggests 'Best Practices' for precinct and campaign management
-Helps with GOTV on Election Day
-Helps you understand & deploy successful social networking
-If you are wanting to upload voter data for a new district, you will have the chance to do so on the first page after you join below. Scroll down to join.
-PROCINCT is free for all users (donations are welcome)"

These and similar programs boost my hypothesis that the traditional political parties and their leadership may find themselves less relevant in the future in terms of electing candidates. A few websites with good conservative (or liberal) writers can attract a heavy following, promote favored candidates, raise money for them online, quickly get their message out (important for primaries), draft volunteers nationwide for tasks such as manning phone banks, and perform other duties that used to be the exclusive domain of the Republican Party. This stuff is light-years ahead of anything the Mississippi Democratic or Republican parties make available on their websites. The Republican Gubernatorial Primary in South Carolina is an excellent example of this new reality.

Redstate and other conservative websites backed Nikki Haley. Through the use of "money bombs", they raised large amounts of money for her. Videos of her speeches were shown to millions of readers. Every time the Palmatto Sleaze Machine manufactured a new false accusation against her or would put on the white hoods, the websites would quicklyl return fire, negating any advantage given to her opponents. She became a national candidate of sorts while the others were relying on their good ole boy machine that just could not compete even in a state as closely-knit as South Carolina (There is a lesson there for Mississippi Republicans who think Haley will always be there to bail them out). My prediction is this trend will continue as activists continue to develop more ways to use the internet to their advantage.

Try this if above embed doesn't work.

It's pageant week and you know what this means. Mississippi's belles descend on Vicksburg to see who will win the crown of Miss Mississippi. Since this is Jackson Jambalaya and the home of the Hottest Reporter in Jackson poll, I'm going to name my top five finalists. From top to bottom, left to right: Katelyn Farris, Amber Lyn Strange, Ashley Falgout, Meagan Holaday, Lindsay Pleas. My pick to win based on these Clarion-Ledger pics? So hard, so tough. Meagan Holaday of Madison. Yeah, I know, I've probably written something bad about someone in her family or family's friends on this site with my luck, but she's my top pick, meaning the poor thing will probably come in last place. ;-) All kidding aside, these women work their tails off to be in this pageant. I don't think most people appreciate how hard it is to make it this far. While some of the contestants won't take it seriously, most of them do. That means working with a coach on interview where everything is scrutinized. Practicing a talent to be performed on tv and can be nerve-racking to say the least. Working for money to pay for dresses, coaches, and other expenses. They all deserve praise and respect for what they do because it really is work. See the rest of the contestants at this link.

Note: If anyone wants a great pageant coach, contact Sandra Strain. She is on Facebook. Her mom owns Lamia's on Capitol Street. Sandra's clients have won more than a few pageants. You hire Sandra, be prepared to work. She is tough.

CARA is Mississippi's largest no-kill animal shelter and operates solely on donations. This year, instead of a Super Bowl commercial, Pepsi will put the money back into the community and is giving thousands of charities and "ideas" around the country an opportunity to receive funds. CARA submitted a grant in the $50,000 category with the money to be used to replace rusted and deteriorating kennels and provide a MUCH better living environment for these sweet animals until they find their forever home. "The TOP 10 ideas receive $50,000 and we are currently in 29th place!! We have 22 days to go and need to get everyone on board to pull this off. What an incredible thing for our state!"

They have a website: http://www.refreshcara.org/ where you can vote. Please check it out and tell everyone to vote, vote, vote for the next 22 days!

WLBT reported on SLRP last night. Can't imagine where they got that idea. Watch the video. Watch Cecil Brown's dissembling in calling it a "political issue". No Cecil, it's not a damn political issue. It's the friggin' principle of a bunch of part-time legislators getting time and a half in their retirement pay compared to regular state employees. It doesn't matter if it's an extra dollar, ten dollars, or ten thousand dollars, it's not right and you guys frankly don't deserve it. Politics indeed. Caecilus Verres is very disingenuous. Earlier SLRP post

Note: Ethics Commission still has not ruled on my opinion request.

Apparently our old friend Rudy Warnock and local real estate mogul Richard Partridge got involved in a land deal gone bad up in Desoto County in 2008. The two Madison County players formed a company in 2006, Greater Desoto County Development, LLC. The company then purchased 36 acres in Desoto County from Saturn Investment. Saturn is owned by another local tycoon, Joseph Brata, according to the Mississippi Secretary of State's website. Copy of deed The land was sold as a project ironically called "Reunion".

Greater Desoto County Development then issued a deed of trust to Saturn for $720,600 on September 20, 2006. The deed of trust was signed by Mr. Partridge. Copy of Deed of Trust Greater Desoto did not make any payments because Saturn foreclosed on the land two years later, and stated in the Trustee's Deed the money owed by Greater Desoto was $720,600, the same amount stated in the Deed of Trust. Copy of Trustee's Deed. Saturn took possession of the land at the foreclosure sale on November 14, 2008.

There are some very curious details in these transactions. The Secretary of State's website states August 13, 2007 is the creation date for Greater Desoto, nearly one year after it obtained the land and issued a Deed of Trust to Saturn. No members of the LLC are listed, just Derek Hall as registered agent and "other" on Lelia Drive. However, JJ has obtained concrete evidence Mr. Warnock and Mr. Partridge are the members of the LLC. This correspondent asked Dorsey Carson the extent of his client's (Rudy Warnock) involvement with Greater Desoto, but Mr. Carson only stated he would check with his client. No other answer was ever provided by Mr. Carson. It seems this case is a poster child for Secretary Hosemann in his crusade for LLC reform.

One interesting question involves a lien filed with the Desoto County Chancery Clerk by Mr. Warnock. Warnock and Associates filed a "Notice of a Construction Lien" on October 29, 2008 but never took any further action. The notices states the lien is for $61,236 and is for materials and services provided. Mr. Warnock was thus claiming his own company owed him money. Copy of Notice of Lien. Another Notice of Lien was filed by Utility Constructors for $434,086 on October 23, 2008. Terry Lovelace is the President of Utility Constructors. However, no further action was taken against Greater Desoto as well. Copy of Notice of Lien The Circuit and Chancery Clerk's offices told this correspondent there were no lawsuits filed against Greater Desoto. Saturn still owns the land.

Olga's now serves wine and fine spirits in the new lounge. Classy yet cozy is the perfect description of her lounge. Come by after work, enjoy a drink and the delicious appetizers Olgas is known for serving. (Photos taken by Gloria Scott.)

Joel Kotkin calls the much-heralded back-to-city migration a "myth" in The Wall Street Journal:

"Pundits, planners and urban visionaries—citing everything from changing demographics, soaring energy prices, the rise of the so-called "creative class," and the need to battle global warming—have been predicting for years that America's love affair with the suburbs will soon be over. Their voices have grown louder since the onset of the housing crisis. Suburban neighborhoods, as the Atlantic magazine put it in March 2008, would morph into "the new slums" as people trek back to dense urban spaces.

But the great migration back to the city hasn't occurred. Over the past decade the percentage of Americans living in suburbs and single-family homes has increased. Meanwhile, demographer Wendell Cox's analysis of census figures show that a much-celebrated rise in the percentage of multifamily housing peaked at 40% of all new housing permits in 2008, and it has since fallen to below 20% of the total, slightly lower than in 2000...." Column

I am posting this column because the column makes some points we should keep in mind as we bet more and more of Jackson's future on downtown development. I don't think this column necessarily applies to Jackson as there were not that many residential units downtown in the first place. There are several projects on the board right now but I don't see them outstripping the demand and make no mistake, there is some demand for downtown living. After these projects are completed, mixed-used development in the Jackson metro area is going to be slow for some time as there are simply too many projects withering on the vine: Lost Rabbit, Livingston, Harborwalk, Mandalay, and others. Most of them are in Madison County where the boom has obviously fizzled and downtown offers a unique place to live that is not suffering from an oversupply of housing. As long as Downtown avoids the "build it and they will come, market be damned" mentality, it will be fine.

Karen "Steinbrenner" Irby fired William Bell and rehired Joe Holloman. I kid you not.

Update: Sure enough, Strong files an affidavit and several motions today. Despite filing her answers two weeks late after getting a thirty-one day extension from the Court, she suddenly starts complaining her kid had surgery and that was why she and everyone at Phelps Dunbar didn't bother to file anything until after Mr. Crook had a default entered against them. One wonders if Strong would have filed something Friday or today if Mr. Crook had not done so. Strong filed a Motion to set aside default, Strong's affidavit, Correct answer to amended complaint, Answer to entry of default



Original post: Perhaps Mike Crook finally caught a break. The former Ridgeland Alderman has experienced some tribulation over the last few years. His house blew up last month after a foundation repair company cut the gas line. A couple of years ago he was arrested by Ridgeland PD but was found not guilty in court. He filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this year against Ridgeland and several of its officials seeking $700,000 in damages. The city's attorney, Sandra Strong of Phelps Dunbar, failed to answer his complaint on time so the clerk entered a default against Ridgeland.

Mr. Crook was returning a rental truck to a company on East State Street in Ridgeland on June 12, 2008. Mr. Crook dropped off the keys and was getting into the passenger's seat of a car when the Ridgeland PD. Officer Jason Rudd pulled up and told Mr. Crook he needed to see his ID. Mrs. Crook, the person the Crooks were helping move, and her child were also in the car. The officer and former Alderman had a dispute over why Mr. Crook needed to produce his driver's license (facts of case are in the attached complaint). Mr. Rudd, formerly of the JPD and is black, arrested Mr. Crook, who is white, for disorderly conduct. After negotiations between Mr. Crook and the prosecutor failed, in which Mr. Crook even agreed to apologize to tohe officer, the County Court found Mr. Crook not guilty of all charges.

Mr. Crook filed a complaint against the City of Ridgeland, Jason Rudd, Charlando Thompson, Jeff Thames, Mike Chapman, Jimmy Houston, Gene McGee, and several John Does on January 7, 2010. Copy of complaint. He filed an amended complaint on February 22, 2010. Copy of amended complaint. Mr. and Mrs. Crook charged the defendants with violating their civil rights under Sections 1983 and 1988 of the U.S. Code by violating their "rights of free speech, to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, kidnapping, false imprisonments, and the right to due process of law". The plaintiffs also charged with the defendants with malicious prosecution, conspiracy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The Crooks (I know, don't laugh) asked for actual damages of $200,000 and punitive damages of $700,000. The Crooks (I still can't keep a straight face.) are representing themselves.

Ms. Strong requested from the court an extension on May 18, 2010 to file an answer. Ms. Strong asked for an extra thirty-one days. What is interesting is Ms. Strong states they were served "on or about April 30, 2010" but the summons returned executed filed states it was April 23, 2010 but why quibble over mere dates? Copy of summons executed The court approved her request and required her to file an answer by June 21, 2010.

June 21 came and went. Nothing happened. July 1 came and went. Nothing happened. The plaintiffs filed an "Application for Entry of Default" against the defendants on June 2, 2010. Copy of application. The Clerk filed a "Clerk's Entry of Default" the same day. Copy of clerk's entry. Plaintiff's affidavit of default. Suddenly that night, shazzam, Ms. Strong files her answer. Doesn't move to set aside default. Just files her answer. Just one problem. If you read both complaints, it appears Ms. Strong responded to the first complaint, not the second. Copy of belated answer

It is not clear what will happen in this case as the defendants will undoubtedly fight the default judgement. Rule 55(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure states:
"When a party against whom a judgment for affirmative relief is sought has failed to plead or otherwise defend, and that failure is shown by affidavit or otherwise, the clerk must enter the party's default."
Rule 55(b) states "If the plaintiff's claim is for a sum certain or a sum that can be made certain by computation, the clerk — on the plaintiff's request, with an affidavit showing the amount due — must enter judgment for that amount and costs against a defendant who has been defaulted for not appearing and who is neither a minor nor an incompetent person."

However, there is the little matter of Rule 60:
"On motion and just terms, the court may relieve a party or its legal representative from a final judgment, order, or proceeding for the following reasons:
(1) mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect;"

I suspect Phelps Dunbar will be in court arguing for such relief. Stay tuned.

I don't think anyone will be surprised by this.

Later today: Damning report on oil spill response from Washington Examiner

Another woman killed by her boyfriend last week. WLBT reported
"26-year-old Charles Kuebler was screaming, in extremely vulgar language, as he was being taken from the murder scene in the back of a police car where he was handcuffed.

His victim was his girlfriend, 28-year-old Tamara Stuckey, better known to her many friends as Tammy Stuckey.

Tammy's boss, the owner of Beagle Bagle restaurant in Madison, 32-year-old Chad Segrest had pleaded with her two days before her death to break off the relationship with Kuebler. He had nothing but praise for her as an employee.

"We told her that this is not a good relationship, this is not something you need. I mean we cared about her. She was precious," said Segrest. "I have had customers cry this morning, and the one time that she asked me about her relationship, I said Tammy you cannot get involved with people when it's a one-sided relationship."

Segrest said Tammy told him she thought she could change the way Kuebler treated her.

"It was trouble from the beginning. I mean you could tell it from her work aspect, boss aspect, asking her what's going on and finding out she is seeing this new guy, and connect the little dots," said Segrest. "For some people they just can't connect the dots when they are that infatuated with somebody. It's dangerous."

Tammy Stuckey worked at the Beagle Bagle in Madison. WLBT talked with three people who worked with her, all of whom had nothing but praise for her, saying everybody just loved her. They all tried to talk her out of her relationship with the man now charged with her murder."

Another damn senseless murder. Domestic violence. When will it end? Say prayers for the Stuckey family and friends. There's not much that can be said at a time like this so just pray for them as they deal with this tragedy. Meanwhile, the rest of us should think of what can be done to stop the domestic violence that all too often seems to end in someone's death.

Note: One thing I did notice in the WLBT story is Kuebler is pretty. Reeaaal pretty.

Meanwhile, the AP Reports

"NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Journalists covering the Gulf of Mexico oil spill have been yelled at, kicked off public beaches and islands and threatened with arrest in the nearly three weeks since the government promised improved media access..."

"On June 5, sheriff's deputies in Grand Isle, La., threatened an AP photographer with arrest for criminal trespassing after he spoke to BP employees and took pictures of cleanup workers on a public beach.

On June 6, an AP reporter was in a boat near an island in Barataria Bay, off the Louisiana coast, when a man in another boat identifying himself as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife employee ordered the reporter to leave the area. When the reporter asked to see identification, the man refused, saying "My name doesn't matter, you need to go."

Meanwhile, here is an interesting news story on oil getting trapped below the surface:

Save this mutt. Jackson Friends of Animal Shelter has this little fireball: "I am not a pancake even though my head resembles one -- a little flat with blueberries and crumples or crumbles. I am an 18 month old boxer/White German shepherd/dalmation. The term liver refers to my facial coloring with a smoky gray and brown tint, clearly delineated. My face actually looks like a map covering the area from the east of South America, across the white surf of the Atlantic, onto the west of Africa. My body is all white with sprinklings of muted dots, like the dalmation and the dappled catahoula (state dog of Louisiana since 1970). Like my brother K.C., I have recently graduated from the Second Chance Pet Partner Program where we learn to act like good citizen type dogs who love families. Inmates who have been trained in dog obedience skills train us homeless dogs to be obedient and companionable and we graduate with flying colors and wagging tails. I have made quite a few friends while at the Program and I've had the time of my life getting to play with other good dogs who were carefully selected to be in this prestigious program. I am a lucky dog. Major Gardner says I am a love with other dogs and children. I am housetrained, neutered, trained in obedience, a team player, a companion dog, and free of heartworms, never having had those nasty critters. For more info about me, call Major Teresa Gardner at 601-937-3161 and come and see me. We'll work out a good time for you and us. . .or me. Though it has been great being one of the dogs out here, I am ready for my own home. Posted 6/23/2010." More information

Looking for a black lab? I've notice ALOT of Black Labs at the shelters recently.

Jackson crime stats for week ending June 27, 2010.

Jackson major crimes overview for week ending June 13, 2010.

City of Madison Daily crime reports.

Ward Schaeffer at yes, the Jackson Free Press, pens a very good article on the interest rate swaps Hinds County used back in 2006. This story is worth reading and the reporter gets the details of a very complex subject down pat. None of the Clarion-Ledger' s business reporters could have written this story. Some excerpts:

"Hinds County may have earned almost $4.5 million from a complex financial deal, but few in the county appear able to explain where the money went. At a June 7 Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Phil Fisher seized on a report by county financial adviser Porter Bingham on the transaction, called an interest-rate swap. Fisher demanded to know how the county has spent its proceeds from the swap. No one could provide an answer."

"Hinds County's swap is a more exotic breed, however, less plain vanilla and more Rocky Road. The deal, which Bingham said could also be described as a "synthetic refunding," involves variable-rate payments on both sides. The county makes one set of variable-rate payments on $46.945 million in bonds in exchange for other variable-rate payments from Rice Financial Products, a New York-based investment firm.

Records provided by the Hinds County Chancery Clerk's office show that the county has received $4.36 million in payments from the swap since 2006 and an additional $81,000 in interest on those proceeds. The county has spent $3.21 million of those earnings as part of its general fund budgets since 2008. Another $469,686 has gone to pay fees associated with the transaction, leaving the county with a balance of $757,227 from the swap as of May 31." Read the rest of the article.

Nice reporting. Kingfish, how did you miss this one? I didn't. Spoke to Mr. Fisher a few weeks ago about the swap. Requested said information. Got an email from him two days ago it was ready so I'll be looking at this one on my own but I don't think I'll be adding much of anything to what Mr. Schaefer has already written.

Redstate is giving the NRA some grief and after reading this article, its easy to see why as the NRA brags about bringing home the bacon for its members. Chris Cox, the NRA's legislative guru, writes on its website:

"Not long ago, I had the opportunity to visit a new shooting facility in Nevada that I can say, without hesitation, is one of the finest in the world. It’s a place all of us wish we could visit on a regular basis...

It took decades of hard work, including strong support from the Clark County Commission and the county’s parks and recreation department. Both worked for years to see this multi-purpose range complex become a reality. Dedicated citizens, gun owners, hunters, and competitive and recreational shooters joined together to provide the support that was needed for a project of this size to win approval.

It also took both land and money to make it happen, and for that the people of Clark County have U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to thank. Sen. Reid worked for years to secure the transfer to Clark County of the now-former federal land the range complex occupies. Further, he secured $61 million through the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act to fund the facility’s development. His dedication to this project is just one of the ways Sen. Reid has demonstrated his support for gun owners and the Second Amendment.

At the facility’s grand opening in March, Reid clearly showed he under-stands the importance of ranges when he said, “Your families and mine are fortunate to have such an impressive place to learn the skills of sport shooting, to learn the importance of safe shooting, to exercise our Second Amendment rights --and to celebrate our Western heritage.” Article

I don't know which bothers me more, the NRA supporting Reid or the NRA getting into the business of landing federal earmarks. The NRA is a single-issue organization and must work with both parties. However, putting itself on the federal dole of sorts means it can be held hostage. "Now, now, now, Chris, support this radical Supreme Court nominee and you'll get your funding..." Selling out on the first amendment, taking a dive on the Kagan nomination, getting federal earmarks for pet projects. What exactly is going on at the NRA?

The Curmudgeon of local talk radio, Dave Ingram, is no longer associated with WFMN. The JT and Dave Show is now just the JT Show. I enjoyed listening to Dave for years as he had a take no prisoners, no apologies approach in stating his opinions on the air. He didn't care who he angered or how he sounded. He was going to speak his mind and everyone else be damned. It is unknown if Paul Gallo will expand his radio show to six hours or if the rumor is true that WFMN has offered Rudy and Mary a chance to do a lunch time show together every day. Anyway, see ya Dave and good luck wherever you go.

A default judgment of $585,017 was entered against Lost Rabbit Development, LLC on June 25 in Madison County Circuit Court. Vision Landscapes obtained the judgment after Lost Rabbit failed to "plead, answer, or otherwise defend" Vision's complaint. Judgment entry, Judgment, Motion for judgment Utility Constructors filed a lien on Lost Rabbit Development, LLC for $1,315,944 this year. Lost Rabbit is apparently facing problems as are other upscale developments in Madison County as the correction continues.

Copy of motion

Robbie Bell doesn't want anyone seeing her phone records. She filed a Motion to Quash or "in the alternative", a motion for protective order in the lawsuit filed against her by Elizabeth Hall. Elizabeth Hall was kidnapped by Bell's son after he murdered her best friend and roommate, Heather Spencer.

Ms. Hall subpoenaed Ms. Bell's phone records from ATT from May 2007 to the present. Ms. Bell argues the subpoena should be quashed because it "exceeds the scope of discovery" and because such documents are "irrelevant" and "won't lead to the discovery of admissible evidence." Mr. Burwell, the attorney for Ms. Bell, then requested the Court to seal the phone records from public disclosure stating they contain "private and confidential information".

Nice to know Mr. Burwell is so concerned with wasting the court's time. What would be interesting is if the court redacted the phone numbers but left the time of any phone calls public. Would be very interesting to see how many calls and at what time Ms. Bell used her phone during that night of terror.

She hasn't insulted me in a while and I'm starting to feel neglected. She all right?

City can't hire Mayor's daughter as lifeguard.

Employer of former school board member can't sell supplies to school district within one year of his leaving board.

Child of alderwoman can accept employment with city attorney's firm only if the two are financially independent of each other.

Can a real estate firm owned by Mayor's wife represent buyers and/or sellers where part of transaction is funded by city down-payment assistance program?

School District Superintendent can't participate in decisions involving non-profit corporation of which he is a board member.

Members of Park Advisory Committee can not sell products to park or serve as umpires at the park.

Can a lease-holder (hangar) be appointed to the authority board for the same airport?

School board member whose financially independent relative works for the school district must recuse himself from discussions and actions in approving the school board's budget.

Substitute teacher whose spouse becomes school board member may not continue employment after conclusion of school year.

County supervisor may be employed by the county school district since they are two different agencies with seperate budgets but may not attempt to influence board in favor of school district.

Member of city council may not participate in discussions and actions on a lease between city and church of which councilman is a member and his spouse is an employee.

Executive Director of Planning Commission must recuse himself from any actions concerning the contract with a consulting firm that employs the Director's fiance and any dealings with said firm as well.

Redstate:

"Internal Senate emails confirmed by NRA Board Members are highlighting just how far the National Rifle Association has fallen...

these internal Senate emails confirmed by NRA Board Members show that the National Rifle Association’s management team has explicitly and directly told the NRA’s board they are prohibited from testifying about second amendment issues during the Elena Kagan confirmation hearings.

That’s right: the foremost gun rights lobby in the nation is prohibiting its board from testifying in the Elena Kagan confirmation hearings about the second amendment.

The NRA did issue a statement on Friday after the internal Senate email began leaking out informing people of the gag order. The statement noted Kagan’s problematic record on guns, but that’s just smoke and mirrors. Don’t believe them when they say they are working with Senators to investigate her record. If they were really working with Senators, they would have accepted an invitation to testify on the Kagan nomination when they were invited. The gag order on board members is not limited to providing testimony, but it prohibits board members from coming out against Kagan in their individual capacity." A columnist on another website confirmed Redstate's claim. Redstate

Wondeful.

This one is pretty good. Too bad the producer didn't play the Star Trek fight music again like he did in December. "Spending spending spending. You've been married too long." "Go back to Russia". Some good cracks.