Monday, June 20, 2011

Editorial: Matt Thomas should resign from Jackson Revelopment Authority


The Clarion-Ledger reported last week Alcorn State University supporters are attempting to chance the annual Capital City Classic to a home-and-home series:

"Alcorn State's threat to end the 17-year-old Capital City Classic - and return its home game in the series to its campus in Lorman instead of Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson - has elicited a bevy of reaction from the Jackson area.

While JSU students mock the Braves, disappointed lawmakers and flustered city officials are discouraging the cancellation of the Classic, a weeklong celebration filled with events in the Jackson area and capped with the Alcorn-JSU football game, usually in mid-to-late November
."

The Classic brings $3.5 million to local businesses as fans descend upon the Jackson area for the game. There are more than a few problems if the game is played in Lorman. No hotels, few restaurants, limited road access, and a stadium that seats only 22,000 people. Of course reality and financial facts are lost upon the Alcorn State supporters:

"Last year's Capital City Classic, which drew an announced crowd of more than 32,000, produced $3.5 million for the city. That includes revenue from food, gas and hotel rooms, said Wanda Wilson, president of the Jackson Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

"We will do whatever we can to try to dissuade them from splitting the game again and alternating it between the schools," Wilson said. "Our city is better capable of handling the large number of people who attend the game. Everybody wins when the game is played in Jackson."

Not so, says Alcorn State president Christopher Brown, the one spearheading the move. Brown is heavily leaning toward not renewing the yearly contract for the Classic. He has created a committee, led by his chief of staff, to study the Classic and provide findings to him within 90 days
." Article

Well, President Brown certainly has the right to try to change the terms of the arrangement with Jackson State. However, there is one little nugget of information in the story:

"Matt Thomas, former president of the Alcorn State alumni association, was on the Classic committee when it was established in 1994. The committee's plan, Thomas said, was to hire a promoter after two years, in 1996.

"It never happened," said Thomas, a Jackson resident who supports Brown nixing the Classic.

"If we take this and put it under good management, I'd have no problem with it," Thomas said. "Neither school has the expertise or the time to do this in the manner in which it should be done. We are fooling ourselves
."

Who exactly is Matt Thomas? A commissioner of the Jackson Redevelopment Authority. You got it. What is the JRA? Its website states:

"The Jackson Redevelopment Authority (JRA) was established in 1968 as a quasi-govermental redevelopment agency for the city of Jackson. JRA is responsible for the resurgence and revitalization of residential, business and investment growth in the city."

That's right. He sits on the board of a Jackson agency created bring business to Jackson. Don't take my word for it. Look right here.

The Jackson Advocate called Mr. Thomas "ASU's #1 Fan". He once served as President of the Alcorn State Alumni Association and Chair of the ASU Foundation. A man can not serve two masters and Matt Thomas has no exception. Mayor Harvey Johnson should demand Mr. Thomas resign from the JRA as he has an obvious conflict of interest: Helping Alcorn State destroy the Classic and move it to Lorman while helping Jackson develop business. He can't have it both ways and should leave the Jackson Redevelopment Authority as he obviously does not have Jackson's best interests in mind. The late Mayor Frank Melton appointed Mr. Thomas to the JRA in 2008 and we are stuck with him until 2014.

Can one imagine reaction of Gene McGhee, Brad Rogers, Gary Rhodes, Rosemary Aultman, or Mary Hawkins-Butler if a member of such an agency supported moving one of the their biggest moneymakers to another city? They would put so much heat on the infidel he would have to resign and Harvey should do the same. Oh yes, that's, right, according to Precious Martin Black people fight too much. Well, these are exactly the kinds of fights Black people should have as there are always people who want to destroy events such as the Classic that do benefit everyone while they profit from the destruction, everyone else be damned. The fact is, Thomas and his President want to destroy one of the premier Black social events in the South and replace it with.... nothing. Mayor Johnson should demand Matt Thomas resign from the Jackson Redevelopment Authority.

















6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fish,

Great story and I'm with you 100%. The problem is you will be disappointed because you are expecting too much. No "brother" is going to "diss" another brother for the sake of "doing the right thing". Translation: Harvey will never ask him to resign. We see daily examples of the blacks in control protecting their own. Not just in Jackson, but nationwide.
That's just the way it is. They call it "payback" and the debt will never be satisfied.

Frugal Gal said...

I thought I was going to have to start my week without being exposed to some stereotypical racist crap not-co-cleverly-disguised as "commentary." But is isn't so! Thanks, Anon 8:19!

Anonymous said...

My question would be what does ASU. get from this? It's always a road game on JSU's home field, they get no parking money, no concession stand money, it's a better recruiting venue for JSU than ASU. So what does ASU gain from playing in Jackson?

From an event standpoint I see that it is good for Jackson. But this is a confrence game a rival game.


How About this a double header where JSU plays a non confrence opponet and ASU does the same. Now it's good for both schools and the City of Jackson.

Anonymous said...

ANON 8:37

The reason is that is just to simple and makes sense.

Anonymous said...

FRUGAL GAL....

Thanks for the compliment! I love ruining the day for people who don't believe the truth about the thugs running Jackson and Hinds county.

anon 8:19

Anonymous said...

I agree with Kingfish. The Mayor should ask for Matt Thomas' resignation. This is not about college fraternities or rivalries, at least with respect to the JRA. It is about economic impact for the City of Jackson. Thomas can't serve two masters. Kick his butt off the board!



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

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!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.