Sunday, September 13, 2009

Harvey is right

The irony of the current dispute between Mayor Harvey Johnson and Ward 1 Councilman Jeff Weill is Harvey will probably need Weill's support much more than he realizes as the City Council will try to blow up up the budget. The City Council tried to give raises to city employees while private companies are laying off their workers by the millions and despite the fact the city has to cut several million dollars from the proposed budget. The Clarion-Ledger reported:

"At a budget committee meeting Wednesday, council members voted 3-2 to amend Johnson's proposed budget to include $1,000 annual pay raises for each of the city's 2,200 workers, a measure estimated to cost between $2.5 million and $2.8 million. Council members Kenneth Stokes, Chokwe Lumumba and Tony Yarber voted for the raises, with Jeff Weill and Margaret Barrett-Simon in opposition.
The proposed budget for the new year beginning Oct. 1 goes to the full council for a final vote Monday. If the council persists, Johnson said he will be forced to cut city services or lay off workers to afford the raises.
Stokes, who advocated for raises early in the council's budget hearings, does not take the mayor's threats at face value.
"If they can't find the money, come Monday I just hope I can get the support for three other council members," he said......" Article

Such actions show how clueless the majority of the Council is. Jackson has a declining tax base due to migration and a recession. Local and state governments nationwide are laying off workers as they fight to stave off bankruptcy yet these clowns think Jackson is some Never-Neverland where reality is what they think it is. They tried to bankrupt Jackson a few months ago with their interest rate swap scheme for our bonds, attempted to pass a living wage ordinance that would have raised payroll costs for all city contracts, and now want to shovel out more money when Jackson is broke after four years of Melton. Mayor Johnson is correct in fighting these raises as he will probably be forced to cut budgets in the middle of the fiscal year if the economy does not improve as Haley is now doing. The ultimate irony is Mayor Johnson will probably find Weill, the budget hawk of the City Council, is his strongest ally on the Council in keeping these knuckleheads from doing too much damage.

22 comments:

Paul Mitchell said...

I am all for merit pay raises, but shouldn't something be going right in Jack-troit before they do this?

We are governed by imbeciles and imbeciles vote by the thousands.

Anonymous said...

Weill shows integrity by voting with Johnson even though he supported the Mayor's opponent. Has Johnson removed the chip on his shoulder so that now he will treat Weill like a valued resource?

Hookah said...

I still say killing JATRAN would free up some much needed cash.

Anonymous said...

Weill demonstrates integrity when he votes with the Mayor? Then I suppose the Councilman loses, or lacks, that same integrity each time he votes against him. You Harvey Johnson haters need to get over it.

Anonymous said...

For some, Johnson is right when he agrees with Weill. For others, Weill is right when he agrees with Johnson. When they agree, one or the other is showing integrity.

Well, I guess we're screwed if Johnson and Weill are both wrong on the facts at the same time.

Oh, I guess since some of you think one or the other is infallible, it's is then impossible for both to be wrong.

Kingfish said...

I think the point was Weill showed some integrity voting for Harvey and showing he was willing to support him even though they just had a public disagreement.

Andrew said...

I don't think it is integrity to back your position. Weill was voting his position, which is that the budget cannot sustain the pay raises.

Harvey happens to agree, so they can support each other on this issue. That doesn't mean that they won't clash again. What it seems to mean to me is that the two men are good politicians who can disagree on an issue (the increase in patrol officers by cutting civilian jobs) and then work together on an issue (the city worker raise).

I don't call not cutting your nose off to spite your face a form of integrity.

Andrew said...

Oh, and Paul; JackTroit is hilarious! I get it!

It's because you are equating Jackson with another city with a densely African-American population that you perceive to be a failure!

Your humor is so sublime! Why don't you just call it Jafrica and go straight for the racism?

Paul Mitchell said...

Andrew, I was referring to a failing city run by Democrats that has turned into a cesspool because they always ruin what they control, but I like your racist angle, too! St. Jackson (St Louis) or District of Jackson (Washington DC) don't work too well.

Because it simply cannot be a ideological thing at all. It simply MUST be racism!!!

Andrew said...

That's what the thin veneer does for you. It gives you plausible deniability. Good work.

Maybe, just maybe, you equate Democrats with African-Americans. I noticed that you didn't include cities like Denver, Colorado, Seattle, Washington, or Portland, Oregon, or Hartford, Connecticut, Boston, Massachusetts, San Francisco, California, Atlanta, Georgia, etc., on your list of cities run by Democrats. I don't think they have "ruined what they control". Oh, wait, you needed failing cities run by Democrats.

Wait, I see. When you made the racist jab, you didn't explain your criteria, which was apparently "failing cities run by Democrats in Southern/Midwestern cities with majority black populations that make convenient cute nicknames for Jackson". Now I am much more clear.

Seems more about color than politics. When's the last time you spent more than a month out of Mississippi? Maybe you should get out more.

//waits for inevitable weak return smack such as "I was in L.A. for a week last month on work", etc.

Paul Mitchell said...

Andrew, I am sorry, do you know me? Do you FEEL that you are qualified to make very personal statements regarding what I hold as ideologically important? Or even what RACE that I am? Hmmmm.

I certainly do not believe that you are my travel agent. Plus, I am unaware of any differences in the philosophy of people wherever they live, but I am not an idiot, so tell me, are there?

By the way, is race such an issue that ideology becomes unimportant? Is "Andrew" your anonymous name, BILL MINOR?

The one thing that I should point out is that there is a dumb part of people that support Democrats, their BRAIN.

By the way, Jackver, Jackttle, Jackland, Jackta still do not have the attraction of Jack-troit to me. It MUST be racism. I can safely assume that you are not a poet, either.

Anonymous said...

Andrew when was the last time YOU spent a month or more outside of Mississippi and where did you go?

The cute question and dismissive prediction of an answer doesn't bolster your argument.

Andrew said...

I have lived for more than 5 (adult, working) years outside of Mississippi. I have enjoyed being back except for the narrow mindedness of the people of this city about how to improve it, or rather, how there is no way to improve it.

As far as your comments, Paul, having grown up here, I have heard my whole life people calling Jackson "JackTroit", "New Jack City", "Jafrica", and it's pretty clear what the intimation is. It's not about the state of government, but for the portion of government that is African-American.

You'll never admit it, and I don't expect you to. But the use of the epithet makes your intention clear.

Andrew said...

I am quite aware of the difference of philosophies of people in different regions of the country. That is a blanket statement, so to that, a blanket answer.

Oh, and my name is Andrew.

Paul Mitchell said...

Andrew, odd that you can CLAIM to know the different philosophies based totally on location and I do not even acknowledge that that kind of craziness exists.

So, can we just agree that you attacked me personally because you projected your racism upon me without knowing me? Andrew, usually I refer to yours as a PASSIVE MIND. I do not agree with you, so in your passive mind, that fails to acknowledge differences in ideology, I must be a racist.

When you reach the bottom of the hole, sir, quit digging or risk making yourself look increasingly silly.

One thing that you shall learn hopefully, is that there are a great many people that laugh at charges of racism from intellectually incurious people. Just saying.

Still don't know the color of my skin, huh?

Anonymous said...

saw this on another site (unrelated topic) and thought it apropos here (note the party notations, no reference to race):
=============================
Guess that explains this!!!!!!!!
Poverty in Our Cities. City, State, % of People Below the Poverty Level
1. Detroit , MI 32.5%
2. Buffalo , NY 29.9%
3. Cincinnati , OH 27.8%
4. Cleveland , OH 27.0%
5. Miami , FL 26.9%
6. St. Louis , MO 26.8%
7. El Paso , TX 26.4%
8. Milwaukee , WI 26.2%
9. Philadelphia , PA 25.1%
10. Newark , NJ 24.2%
U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 American Community Survey, August 2007
What do the top ten cities (over 250,000) with the highest poverty rate all have in common?
Detroit , MI (1st on the poverty rate list) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1961;
Buffalo , NY (2nd) hasn't elected one since 1954;
Cincinnati , OH (3rd)...since 1984;
Cleveland , OH (4th)...since 1989;
Miami , FL (5th) has never had a Republican mayor;
St. Louis , MO (6th)....since 1949;
El Paso , TX (7th) has never had a Republican mayor;
Milwaukee , WI (8th)...since 1908;
Philadelphia , PA (9th)...since 1952;
Newark , NJ (10th)...since 1907.

Anonymous said...

3:35- I think you have it backwards. Poor and low income people don't vote Republican. It's not in their best interest. Republicans want to cut services and not help the poor. Why would they vote for those who want to cut their pell grant? Their nutrition programs? Their healthcare? Their school budgets? They don't have extra funds to supplement their school districts... Their schools are already falling a part.

The cities aren't poor because they vote Democrat. They vote democrat because they are poor and need help. Democrats aren't actually making things better either, but they're not knocking the working poor like the Republicans do. I don't know why so many working poor whites in MS don't see that the Republicans aren't really out for their best interests. Just be cause they look like them doesn't mean they are trying to help them (or trying to help them help themselves either).

Paul Mitchell said...

Anon 4:03, can you name a single program heralded by Democrats that actually helps the poor become UNpoor? Or do those programs simply ensure Democrats votes?

This is a rhetorical question, because there is an answer, but Democrats will never acknowledge the truth.

And again RACISM!!!

Anonymous said...

Weill votes against Johnson's budget and throws his meager credibility right out the window.

Anonymous said...

oh sigh...the Democrats want a dependent " nanny" society and think money will fix everything and the Republicans want to give every con man disguised a businessman everything his lobbyist says he wants or he can buy.

The main difference is whose buddies get MY hard earned money through one kind of favor or another!

Anonymous said...

... the Republicans want to give every con man disguised a businessman everything his lobbyist says he wants or he can buy.

That describes the handouts doled downtown during the Melton administration quite succinctly.

Anonymous said...

8:30 money,power,influence take a back seat to honor almost all the time...even for those who start out well intentioned... temptation seems almost impossible to resist for most. Pretty soon they believe they're as smart and vital as the male lobbyists tell them they are and as witty and sexy as the female lobbyists suggest ( or the other way around as needed). And, some don't suspect they're being played and the others just enjoy the ride.



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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.


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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!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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