Jackson Jambalaya

Maybe it's Bruce Bartleys fault. He had to know since he has lived in Gens pocket for three months.

Will Costco have a competitive shooting range so we can run around like Rambo and shoot targets? Isn't Gene enamored with people with no job history that are good at that?

"Vote for Gene - He's a Liar!"

Not following the Ditto and Simon reference??

It's one thing to keep something confidential. Quite another to shovel out an avalanche of lies over the last month. McGee, you are a real piece of work.

I leave you with this quote from that lying sack of shit:

“I didn’t even know what a Costco was until all this controversy came up,” said Mayor Gene McGee. “I’ve never been in one, never seen one."

Uh huh...

What aldermen attended the February 27, 2015 planning retreat? Was there a quorum????

What's the status of the effort to reverse the C-2 zoning exceptions?

Enjoy your next 2 years as mayor, Lyin' Gene. They'll be your last. You work for us!!!

What church does the Mayor attend? Does their Bible say it is alright to lie if you have a confidential agreement? What Bible do you us Mr. Mayor? If you think you are a Christian & you are controlled by sin, I hope you will reassess your belief! It is my belief, that you are
everything that is wrong with politics.
Hear some children today, liar, liar pants on fire!!

10:02 PM..He once was attending Colonial Heights Bapt. Church on Old Canton Rd. in Jackson....notice that CHBC is now in Ridgeland. I do not know if or when he attends church anymore.
By the way, lying is nothing new to Mcgee. I have suggested to KF a number of times how Charles Newell was able to keep his job, even though his sickness was hurting his job performance.

Now, about a code name for "McGee is finished" !!

Is keeping quiet about the project the same thing about lying about the project?

If a Costco is so great at this location, why has the mayor been lying about it?

Rumor has it D.I. will run. Any truth to that? #DraftDI #NotForNam

These people that have been so lied to, have not necessarily been opposing Costco. They have been opposing a Costco at this location.

I would have no desire to attend the same church as Gene McGee. If they do not discipline him, they need to shut their doors.

Is keeping quiet about the project the same thing about lying about the project?

Nope but the cock and bull stories last week were outright unadulterated fabrications, er. lies.

A city doing commerce doesn't have the same freedom to lie & mislead that a private party does.

And any ethical businessman doing business with a city should recognize that.

Mattiace appears to be that other kind of businessman. No wonder he & McGee clicked.

I wonder whether any state or federal laws were broken here.

If Ridgeland voters reelect Gene McGee, they have no shame!
He wants the new city hall named after himself? What a disgrace! Shame! Shame! Shame!
Shame on any alderman that aligns with him. The BOA should vote unanimously against anything McGee suggest.
It is time the BOA stood up to him & not be his puppets. They should be embarrassed to serve with him.

These lying sacks of sh$t feel no need to carry out the city's business in front of the city's citizens.

I attended the work meeting at Ridgeland City Hall tonight, and guess what - the millage vote has been pulled from the agenda for tomorrow night. According to what I learned tonight, the millage vote was originally going to be included in the consent items for the meeting tomorrow night, which means it would simply be included in a large number of items on which one vote would be taken. I assume that would allow these a$$holes to campaign for re-election and say they never voted on a tax increase, they just voted on a list of consent items which happened to include a millage increase. Now that they expect a large turnout of citizens tomorrow, McGee said the vote will be postponed until a later meeting, i.e., they are hoping the outrage will blow over and vote on this when nobody is looking.

Township at Colony Park folks, there was some discussion of a vote on a change regarding liquor sales at the Township. I could not tell exactly what the issue was from the brief discussion, but they are all in favor of it and I bet you have never even heard this was up for discussion. So, a head's up on that issue for the meeting tomorrow night.

Has anyone disclosed yet that Cabela's is also included in the Costco development area? And that the project qualifies for the MDA grant only if it includes at least 50 stores? This is not a new County Line Road, This is a new Pearl - they have Sam's, Bass Pro Shop and an outlet mall, and Gene is getting a Costco, Cabela's and 48 other stores.

Is this what we want in Ridgeland? Hell no, especially since it will suck off business from Renaissance and potentially leave the taxpayers on the hook for the TIF financing on that project. Sort of like the payments this same developer is no longer making on the County Line Road Lowe's development.

Where are Ken Heard and D.I. Smith? I haven't heard either one of these sorry individuals explain to their voters why they sold us out without even telling us what was afoot.

The opposition to locating a Costco at the roundabout on Highland Colony Parkway has become a much larger issue now.
Citizens of Ridgeland have learned today that they can NOT TRUST city hall!

Bill Clinton was a choir boy compared to Gene McGee!

Did not DI Smith say just like McGee last week that this was just a rumor. Seems DI is right there with him. If not, he surely needs to start distancing himself.

Was it just not nauseating the other day when the mayor said a that nonresident of this city gave him permission to tell the truth to the residents of this city's. His permission? McGee is a real man of character!

Maybe JJ was "excluded" (or rather just didn't find out) about the conference because it's not a legitimate credible media source. It's a very biased, minimally credible blog that allows ANYONE (including me-lol) to post whatever in the hell they want. Don't like something that someone has done, post their personal cell phone number on here & KF will approve the message (IF he agrees with your position). He tries to walk the line of "jackassery" when it's convenient & then jump on the media bandwagon when that's convenient. I believe all media has a bias stand. However, JJ crosses the line by allowing posts that are personally hurtful & outright untruthful. And how does one defend his/herself? The truth is-they can't.

Personally, I think the Code Name should have been "Miss Piggy", instead of "Santa Claus". Then again, Miss Piggy has some redeeming qualities. So, how about "Hilary Clinton", or "Jeb Bush" - since they, like the store, qualify as awful things nobody wants imposed upon them.

Did anyone else see the renderings of Costco stores, on the news, tonight? The News Anchor was purring about how "tasteful and upscale" they were. Well, if your idea of "tasteful and upscale" is the concrete block strip mall just off I55, in Hazlehurst, then you'll be pleased. But if you're expecting something up to Pearl standards, then you'll be disappointed.

Costco stores make the Pearl Outlet Mall look like the Rue de la Paix. And by the time 49 of Costco's usual 'Stip Mall Companion Stores' go in, Ridgeland will make Pearl look like Positano.

Tony Yarber got seriously PLAYED.

12:22, I love it when you talk dirty.

12:13, butthurt much? Was JJ's video misleadingly edited? Or was it just showing people what happened?

McGee & co. prefer lies & secrecy to acting above board & honesty. So do you, it seems.

It's almost comical to read all these whiners bitching and moaning about businesses and, therefore, tax revenue coming to Ridgeland. My guess is that these are the same folks that bitched and moaned about the Renasance coming.....the same folks that bitched and moaned about the Butler-Snow bld coming; and what calamity came of those projects?? NONE!! Good grief, people! Businesses generate operating cash for your city! Highland Colony is a business corridor.......meaning, businesses will be building there over the years. There are uncountable communities that would welcome the business development that your Mayor and Aldermen have managed to bring to Ridgeland. Keep up your asinine

Gene will be re-elected. It's in the bag. People always seem to forget that a large percentage of Ridgelands population lives east of I55. Those people love the prospect of more retail jobs! They will love the low prices of Costco. Yes- the diversity of the Jackson area is about to start shopping at the Renaissance: wait till they find the water feature!

Field and Stream has a large store opposite Costco in Mobile. Look for the lower part of Highland Colony to really take off now...up to the Hinds county line...

All of these whiners don't care if the other side of town has the traffic. But oh no not by my house. Idiots can't comprehend how tax money is generated I guess. These are the people who only care about themselves and not the city as a whole. Get over it or move out.

One last thing: I don't agree with Mayor Liar but a politician is a politician

This was a great catch by the Ridgeland mayor and Aldermen. I don't understand what all the fuss is aboout. That roadway was developed yeas ago in hopes of atracting businesses to the area.....mission accomplished! What do these complainers expect to be built on a BUSINESS parkway!! Mabe you should consider moving to Jackson. I understand businesses are moving out of there. Seems like that's wat you want.

6:14 am I had the silly notion that my elected officials are supposed to represent my interests and not be agents for a corporation. I will admit that Congress has been disabusing me of that notion but then I hoped those outside the Beltway were engaged in a learning curve.

I had the silly notion that if it is in my interests for Costco and the other stores they are bringing to come to Ridgeland, that could be defended in the light of day and not done on the sly.

I had the notion that those selling the land for Costco were tax paying citizens of Ridgeland and that the mayor and city council should not have been a party to making sure they didn't get top dollar for their land but represented their interests in negotiations.

I had the "asinine" notion that my elected officials would bother to look at how similar developments have turned out in other suburban communities, particularly on the east coast and had affected the tax base. I had expected them to take a long range view of development.

Once upon a time, the " greatest generation" were more honorable and still we prospered. How did ever did they manage that?

You seem to think that Renaissance is doing well despite empty stores and easy parking and that Butler Snow is anything but a tacky, out of place, architectural eye sore. Please let me know what you think in another 10 years.

The only good thing to come of this is Ridgeland and Madison officials are now making all the mistakes made in many other suburban communities over the last 30 years and before too long, living " inside the Beltway" is going to drive " gentrification" of Jackson. They've done what's been done before...isolated their residential tax base from easy access to hospitals and the airport given them inadequate arteries.

And I just can't wait to see the benefits of all this tax revenue Costco will bring. I know what it won't bring, and that is tax relief to Ridgeland and a better quality of life. But, then that's not what we elect representatives for according to you. I bet there will be a bigger police force and the mayor's office will look better though and you'll need more fireman. Government will be bigger and I'm sure those elected officials will enjoy that.

@12:22 - Couldn't name the project "Miss Piggy". That might make people thing the Piggly Wiggly was coming back to Hwy 51 like it was 30 years ago when Ridgeland leaders like Hite Walcott were honest. The city was broke, but it was simple and a community. The day the pig and the Ecol Station at 55/Jackson st closed, we knew the end was near.

It's hilarious reading these bible thumper comments about Gene lying. Do you really think there was a notion of NDAs 2000 years ago when the earth was made?

I love the idea of Costco coming, and so do my parents who live in Dinsmor. But to the haters, don't you realize if you say no to Costco that that land, once the flyover is in place, will be prime real estate for no telling what! A huge car lot, maybe a CAR MAX or something similar! I would much rather have something developed by the same people that developed the Renaissance.

Yarber got seriously players by Mattiace and Costco. Obviously they used Jackson as a distraction while they secretly assembled land on the Highland Colony Parkway and changed the zoning. This took a tremendous amount of work and demonstrates that Costco has been committed to Ridgeland for a long time. Yarber and his puppets were no match for experienced developers like Buster Bailey and Andrew Mattiace. Very sad for Jackson (and everyone in Ridgeland living south and west of the roundabout.)

DI Smith on the radio telling me who I should vote for in the Madison Co. supervisor's races to promote "transparent" government. What a hypocrite! True colors have been shown DI, and you need to explain your actions to your neighbors.

Nice Costco PR ad in the top right of this page masquerading as a "survey".

I see Gene and his minions are out this morning trying to manage the backlash. Bitchin and moanin about all those residents and their pesky pitchforks. So how much did the new Keep Ridgeland Great astroturf campaign cost, or is Costco tossing that in as a freebie?

Well, the Costco parking lot is going to look like a CAR MAX, so is there really much difference?

What are you people bellyaching about? Why do you think Highland Colony Parkway was built? It's a commercial corridor to serve you idiots, and you are complaining about a commercial enterprise that brings competition to the area. Costco should blackball Mississippi and allow Sam's Club to continue reaming your wallets. Crazy.

I am sure glad that this deceitful crap has come to the surface. My wife and I have been looking at a house to purchase in a gated subdivision that fronts the Old Agency end of Richardson Road and have actually been crunching numbers and bugging the hell out of the listing agent. We are now starting over because we want no part of Costco, lying politicians or Ridgeland, MS.

@ 7:44. The earth wasn't made 2000 years ago, that's just when Jesus was on it. Ever heard of BC and AD?

@ 8:08 - I imagine Costco only had to look at the City of Jackson for a short period of time before deciding to go elsewhere. Think about it - Sams Club was on their way out. Higher sales and property taxes than neighboring communities. Constant infrastructure problems.

Madison county was the only logical choice for them. Rankin county was out immediately due to their liquor laws. Costco is known for selling premium wines, etc. The city of Madison was not ideal due to Sams Club moving. Further out in the county would not work either. In the end, Ridgeland is the only choice for them. I personally can't wait for them to arrive.

why the outrage over a new Store? Assume not everyone is worried about their Wally World stock going south?

@ 8:24 - Seems legit

Costco has nicer stores than Sam's Club, and more variety. There moving to Ridgeland/Highland Colony is welcomed by the majority. Ridgeland residents should be proud of it's city leaders!

All of this complaining reminds me of the Butler Snow issue a few years ago,
when a few people didn't want a 13 story building built there.

The Renaissance, Butler Snow, Township, and other development along Highland Colony in Ridgeland are premier developments for the State of Mississippi.

Costco is not going to hurt the area, but rather be an asset.

Hey, 7:10......"Once upon a tme" is the perfect intro for your diatribe. You are off somewhere in fairytale land if you think a multi million dollar deal like this is something that happens without preplanning and secret negotiations. Using your logic, we would never have gotten the Nissan plant. Using your "pie in the sly" logic, a progressive city like Ridgeland would simply sprinkle fairy dust on an open piece of land and a high paying employer would simply appear.

......and, the last time I checked, that land belongs to a private citizen; to do with what he pleases, when he pleases. It's not up to the mayor and council to dictate what the can or can't so with THEIR property.......unless you are one of those libs who thinks government should drive all private decisions.

@ 8:36 Sarcasm is hard to get across on the interwebs apparently

A CA is not a license to lie! No honest nor integrity at city hall. Breach of public trust is much bigger issue.
The CL has selected moral standards, hypocritical. That is why surveys show public has little trust in public officials & even less in media.
I guess if an entity will buy enough advertisement, they can do as they please.

Gene lied and now they are talking a tax increase. If Costco is brining so much revenue in, why do we need a tax increase????

And to think Rankin County's "antiquated" liquor by the glass law and not allowing liquor stores has saved us. Has anyone bothered to check the twitter comments about Costco in other states? Doesn't sound very upscale to me. It's just another SAM'S that sells bulk sardines and crabmeat. Maybe it's time to concentrate on tighting the county commercial and residential building regulations.You can boo and holler all you want tomorrow night, but like it or not, COSTCO is coming and there isn't anything you can do about it. Think about the alternatives. The idea of car dealerships occupying the space was not too far fetched. Better check out truck stops, too. Maybe COSTCO will look better with that mindset. Target has a big interest in Madison. When that comes in, the I55 store will close and all their business will follow. COSTCO should be looking better already.

Maybe if Costco comes to town, an IKEA would follow! That would be great! And to all of the people hissing and moaning, didn't your realtors or builders tell you before you bought that one day there would be stop lights all up and down HCP? It is a commercial parkway open for business! You can not pick and choose! That is the nature of the property, and it is about to go through a huge BOOM when the overfly road is built!

Love, love, love that Costco is coming. I think it's a great location. My office is a stone's throw from there. We will welcome the new neighbors.

Gene was in the same spot as all city executives are in when competing for businesses. People who don't get that deserve to live in small towns in the Delta that can't beg a company to locate there.

All the uproar seems to be about the location. Don't like it? Move. The HCP is a corridor meant to attract businesses. And a big one is coming. I promise you won't have trouble selling your house if Costco is the only reason you're selling.

9:31 great question. The residents of the ENTIRE city of Ridgeland will see their property taxes increased(just as tonight)to pay the the city services for this Costco development since the sales tax from this development will be diverted to developers. And, when this great Costco decides to move in a few years, the residents will have a huge eyesore & liability costing taxpayers even more money

The Genebots are on message today. Could you possibly show any more contempt for citizens with an opinion? Just goes to show the mindset over at city hall.

I9:52. iKEA is being built in Memphis right now, so that's likely not going to come. But a trader joes??? That could happen

Well at least Gene promised they wouldn't take out the round about. Hey, wait a minute.

If D.I. runs and the people are stupid enough to elect him, they deserve what's coming. The man is an egomaniac who constantly perceives that he is deplaning from an overseas military assignment and is being welcomed by a throng of thousands at the local runway. D.I. would reach the level of 'highly functioning' as a Lowe's associate or the guy refueling planes at the Madison Airport.

If I thought that lying snake Gene McGee knew how to use a computer, I'd say he made it in to the office today about 8:17. You work for us!!!

Do the residents of Ridgeland have the right to look into impeachment proceedings! Confidentiality or not, the Mayor stood before close to 500 people and lied. He could have- with that very savvy city attorney- come up with a way to let us know that he knew about this before "this morning" . It really is unbelievably insulting how he tried to take us all for a ride that night - and not on his bike!

I wish an excellent food chain would make its home here. Kroger and Walmart rule our pantry's and it's getting old. The 10 for $10 soup at Krogers is a joke. Pay $1.00 for a can of tomato soup? They must think we're stupid. Even the loyalty points for gas come with a high price, so you're saving on one hand, but you have to spend the money to receive your $.50 off at the pumps. The competition would be good for everyone.

All Ridgeland needs to turn out to city hall tonight at 6:00 to cheer on Gene. With all these developers receiving so much sales tax abatement, the property taxes of the ENTIRE city will have to be increased to provide city services to these developments.
Yes east Ridgeland, even though all of these developments are in west Ridgeland increasing commercial real estate values, you have to pay. West Ridgeland appreciates your participation. Welcome to the party: Free lunches only for developers & city officials.
Oh by the way! I was told this increase is to purchase new police cars. Just wait till Mr. Costco comes with no sales tax to city. Not only will taxes go up for more new police cars, but new policeman in them. It will be much more expensive.
And since we are raising taxes for that, how about rebuilding HCP with all the new traffic & 80,000 pound trucks. Oh, I forgot. HCP was only built for & is limited to 60,000 pound trucks. Costco will be making about 15-20 80,000 lb. helicopter drops a day.
Isn't it so wonderful to have such an honest & transparent city hall looking after the best interest of its residents & not nonresident developers & foreign corporations.

According to all published information, the developers will receive $26.7M at this site & this site only!!! This will come from diverted sales tax.
Ole honest Gene just say yesterday that City of Ridgeland would receive $1.5M in sales tax. BUT, he did not say what year. If it is like other development, may be NEVER.
I remember years ago hearing a bad thing about lying, one generally has to keep lying to support the first lie.
Does Ridgeland have a wonder city hall?

Ridgeland snobs: when you left Jackson in the mid 90's you should have gone further north. it is very easy for Jackson's thugs to rob you and slip back into the safety of Jackson, where the police get no support from the DA. Lee Vance is a great guy wish he had some support.

Gene is on his way out, he is filling his pockets while he can, maybe his son can run for Mayor.

Again, wouldn't Pearl, Brandon, Richland, Florence, Byram, Clinton, Flora, Madison, Gluckstadt, Canton, Flowood, or Jackson DIE to have a Costco? Yes. (Even with a new Sam's Club in Madison and the now 'older' one in Pearl.)

The city of Ridgeland is getting it done right, and they are living well. To all the people of Ridgeland who don't want Costco, there are new homes in Gluckstadt just waiting for you...

Those without sin please cast the first stone

We would then have all the trappings of a little Chicago

1:08 we all sin. We should not woller in it though.

1:07 not that truth or fact would matter to u, r u kin to mayor?
The people in Ridgeland are not objecting to a Costco, they are objecting to the proposed site.

"I wish an excellent food chain would make its home here. Kroger and Walmart rule our pantry's and it's getting old. The 10 for $10 soup at Krogers is a joke. Pay $1.00 for a can of tomato soup? They must think we're stupid. Even the loyalty points for gas come with a high price, so you're saving on one hand, but you have to spend the money to receive your $.50 off at the pumps. The competition would be good for everyone."

August 18, 2015 at 12:31 PM

Andrew, if you're going to use the word 'pantry', please learn the correct way to pluralize it (pantries).

And regardless of what you pay for your tomato soup, you're basically buying SUGAR WATER. http://www.campbellfoodservice.com/details.aspx?code=749

I'm excited about a Costco. Jobs, Revenue stream for Ridgeland (maybe they can finally afford to get rid of the run-down apartments), and good products for consumers.

Not sure why everyone is screaming. If Mayor Mary announced a Costco in Madison, people would be excited. Hell, they just opened a SAMS CLUB. A SAMSSSS.

Get over yourselves people and enjoy ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (which is a positive).

1:27- Now that's what I call an intelligent answer. You need to run for office. Jackson Public Works would be ideal. You're command of the English language is marvelous and therefore it qualifies you to monitor raw sewage leaking into homes. Rubber gloves, boots and masks would be ordered without error. LOL

Q What did you do for your summer internship with the City of Ridgeland?

A I trolled blogs posting about how great Costco will be for the City of Ridgeland!!!

"1:27- Now that's what I call an intelligent answer. You need to run for office. Jackson Public Works would be ideal. You're command of the English language is marvelous and therefore it qualifies you to monitor raw sewage leaking into homes. Rubber gloves, boots and masks would be ordered without error. LOL"
August 18, 2015 at 1:56 PM

1:27 was NOT AN ANSWER. It was what we call a RESPONSE. Your response to my response was rather less specific. Was yours adapted from a 'cut-and-paste', on a list of retorts? Were you saving that one, for when someone bested you, and you needed a nonsensical comeback, against which you assumed there was no defense? If so, then I'm sorry you used that one. You should have saved it for later.

Was your little 'zinger' from a manual for interns working as Internet trolls?

Or, did you go to a particularly vicious parochial school, where inquiry was stopped-cold by such verbal slaps-in-the-face?

And really, Precious, you need to learn the difference between 'you're' and 'your'. Also, "LOL" is a bit tired, and a bit tacky.

You pompass-asses beat all I've ever seen. Your Mayor and aldermen work to bring industrial development to your city and you bitch and complain; business development that most cities and towns can only dream of luring in. Oh, but, "I'm not against Cosco; just not over near where I live. So....you want the store, but you want it to be located near someone else's home. I get it now. You are the idiots who built/bought houses near a business development thru-way. What did you expect!! I guess in your little minds all that prime real estate along HCP currently used to graze cows should always be open fields. Let me repeat.....IDIOTS!

2:41 If one can not intelligent discuss an issue one results to name calling. By your pronoun usage, you obviously do not live in Ridgeland.
There is a term in city planning called compatible land use. Most honest, thoughtful cities adhere to this. If you were familiar with zoning & this proposed site location, you would obviously know this is an incompatible land use. The only reason this site has been selected is for the $26.7M going to developer. Just the facts!

2:37 You proved my point perfectly! I think the title "Mayor 2:37" would be more fitting. After all you know what they say about pieces of sewage floating to the top.

Breaking News: Dismor and surrounding areas has secceded from the City of Ridgeland. This city be named Dinsmortopia will include Dinsmor, Saint Andrews, the traffic circle, and all houses offf of Old Agnecy up to the Jakson line. D.I. Smith will be Dictator At Large and the following people are not allowed in the area staring at 6 pm tonight: Anyone with the last name Magee, anyone who works for, will work for, or shops at Costco, Gerald Steen, and Viet Cong. The town motto will be: Costco is worse than the Cong.

Bravo to 3:26. I don't care who you are, that's funny right there.

I don't really have an opinion about the Costco (& I live in Dinsmor).

I do have an opinion about the lying "just a rumor" mayor. You can keep a secret without lying, unless lying is just a habit you've formed.

"Costco in Ridgeland? Get the Facts" ad demonstrates this site commands attention. I'd be interested to know whether the City sponsored it or the developers, although I respect KF's need to keep that confidential.

/s supporter of Costco on HCP

4:52 am and 8:08 am - One in the same or just friends? When's the last time you talked to Tony Yarber? Have you ever been to Jackson? Jackson was everybody's first choice. I don't care where the thing goes or if it goes, but if Costco and the developers are smart, they'll find a site that works in Jackson and leave you crazy people in their dust.

@ 5:26 - Breaking news. Costco isn't going to Jackson.

Demographics?

5:26- Ridgeland beat out Jackson because public officials and private developers work together in Ridgeland. While most people may not agree with their tactics you can't argue with their effectiveness. Ridgeland learned a lot from the BS Law episode. In any event as long as Yarber relies solely on the advice of his advisors (who would likely be unemployed were it not for their city job) then Jackson will never be competitive. Even Pearl has attracted large developments and who in the hell wants to go to Pearl?

Madison / Ridgeland = Pearl.

The comment (or two) about lack of viable grocery stores in the area is right on point. Mary has for years catered to Kroger and kept others out. Madison, The City, has nothing but two Krogers (not counting Wally World). Talk about monopoly! If you live in the Neighborhoods surrounding Old Agency Village, where do you drive to grocery-shop? You make your way six miles north to the Kroger, that's where. Unless you want to push a mini-buggy through the trendy aisles of that little Market at Renaissance with the other ladies wearing tennis skirts.

The new Sam's is an identical copy of all the other Sams Stores in this country. A concrete box full of junk. Costco will be the same. The only salvation for the landscape there will be Cowboy Maloney opening a new branch and parking one of his junk trucks out on the edge of the parking lot as an advertisement.

D.I. Smith has now been "released" by the Mayor to pretend that he is "against" the Costco project. Unless he can come up with two more Aldermen, in addition to Ken Heard, to represent their constituents instead of Costco, all he's doing is trying to save his political skin.

Cabela's, Cabela's, Cabela's, folks. Get your questions ready for tomorrow night, because they are in negotiations to bring it to the new development, too. I suspect it may need additional variances also, because they will want a huge tin barn just like the Bass Pro Shop. With bass boats, ATV's, etc. sitting in the parking lot out front. Great look for the neighborhood . . . .

Maybe we can get a Lambert's throwed rolls place, too. (Pissed off sarcasm, I hope I am not giving them a new idea).

A day late and a dollar short for DI Smith and Ken Heard. These liars agreed to all of this behind their voters' backs and then have been too cowardly to either attend the citizen meetings (in Ken Heard's case) or to speak out on this when they have been directly asked to address questions (in DI Smith's case). I should have paid better attention to those who warned of DI's true nature.



.

Who is DI Smith?

I believe that there some good men on the BA in Ridgeland. They have been deceived. For the ones that truly want to be honest & forthright to the city of Ridgeland they will stand up to the mayor & his Jackson developers. Concern citizens are getting the true facts out. These Ridgeland voters are going up against big money in defending the quality of life in Ridgeland & the tax base of the entire city. The Ridgeland elected officials should be representing their voters rather than a few Jackson developers.
I have never ever seen this many angry people over an issue. The solution, the way out of this mess is so very, very simple. CHANGED THE PROPOSED COSTCO DEVELOPEMENT TO A COMPATIBLE LAND USE SITE IN RIDGELAND. Such a simple solution to an extremely heated issue.

10:34, not sure if it's true, but Cabela's would be great for Ridgeland. Bring them on!!

"5:26- Ridgeland beat out Jackson because public officials and private developers work together in Ridgeland. While most people may not agree with their tactics you can't argue with their effectiveness. Ridgeland learned a lot from the BS Law episode. In any event as long as Yarber relies solely on the advice of his advisors (who would likely be unemployed were it not for their city job) then Jackson will never be competitive. Even Pearl has attracted large developments and who in the hell wants to go to Pearl?"

August 18, 2015 at 10:33 PM

Actually, Ridgeland "beat out" Jackson, because few retailers want Jacksonians as customers OR employees. As employees, they steal, and they sue (all this, on top of being rude, lazy and incompetent). As customers, they steal, sue, fight, rob, and rape. Dealing with any of these occurrences is expensive.

I've been in meetings with a certain developer close to the story under discussion. He has a very entertaining (if covertly racist) parody, of how Jackson employees facilitate shoplifting. The names are funny. His delivery is funny. It would be offensive, if it were not totally accurate (right down to the names, which are not atypical).

The Kroger in South Jackson shut down, not because of a lack of business, but because Jacksonians, as customers and employees, are more trouble than they're worth.

And, as if Jacksonians, as customers and employees, were not enough, one has to consider the city's "leadership", and its Police/Criminal Justice system. Do you really think Costco was seriously considering Jackson? Really?

Costco was playing Jackson from the beginning. They were using Jackson, to make Ridgeland produce incentives - to offer the sweetest possible deal. They were using Jackson "to make Ridgeland jealous". It worked. Ridgeland has offered-up its greatest asset as a sacrifice, to the Great Demon Costco.

Ridgeland's greatest asset is the cluster of wealth/privilege/accomplishment/desirable demographics comprised of Old Agency Road, Saint Andrews, various gated subdivisions, and the extensive area of estate homes. The town's cachet is entirely dependent upon this area. The area, as an asset, should have been zealously protected. But Great Demon Costco played the game well. The best part of Ridgeland is being sacrificed on the Altar of Greed. Mammon is pleased.

I believe the mayor's political career is history. This issue will negatively define his legacy. The question now is, how many aldermen will go with him if they continue to support him on this Costco site development issue. Why would any alderman sacrifice not only his political career but his reputation on an issue that is so easily rectified?

11:58, as much as some should be replaced, the answer is NONE. Anger subsides 90% of the time in politics. The voter forgets at about the same percentage at election time or are apathetic.

Ridgeland's greatest asset is the cluster of wealth/privilege/accomplishment/desirable demographics comprised of Old Agency Road, Saint Andrews, various gated subdivisions, and the extensive area of estate homes. The town's cachet is entirely dependent upon this area. The area, as an asset, should have been zealously protected. But Great Demon Costco played the game well. The best part of Ridgeland is being sacrificed on the Altar of Greed. Mammon is pleased.

August 19, 2015 at 11:52 AM

AHHHH, so there it is. It is the wealth/privilege in the area that makes this such a bad choice for Costco. At least somebody finally said it.

11:58
Next mayoral election in Ridgeland, Gene will be pushing 70 years of age. Who the hell really thinks that he plans to run again? I imagine he sees the expansion of stores down HC as his last big harrah (and I bet the "retirement fund" has helped). Look for him to hang up his spurs.

12:30 Dream on! Gene McGee & Admirial Isoroku Yamaamoto of the Japanesse Imperial Navy have in common their sneak attacks. To use the Admirial's famous quote: "I fear all we have done is awake a sleeping giant & fill him with a terrible resolve".
The next election will be unlike any Ridgeland has experienced!
12:36 yes Mr. Jealous, the area around HCP is unlike any other in Mississippi. Is it a crime for Mississippi to have something nice? You sacarcasticly make our point. This is not a compatible land us. That you for pointing that out.

What's the recall process for recalling Ridgeland's mayor. Someone should get a petition ready for the town hall meeting tomorrow. That would be a great place to start.

Oh my gosh. There's a pocket of people that accounts for about 1/10 the population of Ridgeland in that area. I bet 1/2 of those people don't care or are in favor of the development. You're riding on the anger of 5% of the voters. Good luck with your rally. The rest of us will await a new business and enjoy the tax benefits and job growth.

Exactly, 3:13.
They're so tightly trapped in their own little selfish bubble that they've lost all sense of reality, if they ever had it. Costco or not - grow up.

3:13 wins the thread with 4:24 coming in a close second.

Costco is going to be built, Gene is going to be elected again and the world will keep spinning.

I wonder how many people think that Mary TELLS IT ALL, when something new is coming into Madison?

And as for the jealous remark, I bet you are the parent that tells your teenage daughter that the reason the other girls do not like her is because they are jealous because her daddy makes lots of money. Maybe you should tell her they do not like her because of how she acts, and then consider that it might be true for yourself also.

10:33 hit the nail on the head regarding the feelings of retailers. It's unfortunate, but the majority of employees hired from the Jackson Job pool fit that description. Twenty years of hearing the same sorry excuses for missing work, being late and asking for advances on paychecks, along with high business taxes was enough for me to pull my company out of Jackson. My employees were always paid a minimum of $3.00 over minimum wage for totally unkilled positions, received paid holidays and the fools and their aquaintances would still steal anything not locked up. When safety became an issue it was a no brainer. It was the best move I ever made leaving the city. Is Jackson so stupid as to believe building foundation problems is the only reason SAM'S left? Target on I55 is also on its way out, the same way Office Depot consolidated it's store, till they find another location.

It is amazing y'all democrats want to use class warfare. Divide the have & against the have nots. We wealthy folks in this area feel so very sorry for these poor, so very poor, developers. But, we think these developers need to earn their money as we have and not seek government welfare. Poor, poor developers living in not onlygated but gated armed guard resident, their plush Cashiers retreat, their private jets, etc. They are so very poor, maybe they can take some of this government welfare, $26.7M, to buy mama a new pair of shoes. You democrats really need to defend this multi $B foreign corporation from all these small town businesses. Who do these local merchants think they are investing their own money & working to make a living without a government hand out. This is America! Greed. Government hand outs the new American way. Poor, poor developers sucking up to the government trough. Suck! Suck! Suck!

The location of a Costco at an incompatible land use site that would not give the city any sales tax revenue for 15 years has taken a much more serious turn. This is America. This is not some third world country. The Ridgeland City Hall has lost all credibility. A CA simple does not give a mayor the authority to lie to his voters. It is shockingly unconscionable that an elected official would be so very deceitful & out right lie to his constituents. How could anyone ever trust this man?

All of you leeching land speculators just trying to make a quick buck on this proposed Costco deal without any regard to the community, better sale your land at the first available opportunity. The developers have picked a fight with the wrong people. These people have no fear of these developers. They are not intimidated!

Everyone is so caught up in a standard legal confidentiality agreement that the REAL problem is overlooked. How in-all-that-is-holy, did you fools choose to ignore a "simple" planning board meeting or whatever it was, that changed the zoning of this property to C2. Sorry, but holler all you want, YOU ARE THE PROBLEM. You were too busy with your kids and personal lives to bother to pay attention to your surroundings and the city you live in. Now you have the nerve to complain when things don't go as you wish. You lost your chance because you were too busy to pay attention to a simple meeting that was publicized and publicly documented. You're acting like a spoiled teenager who got their license pulled because they "forgot" to pay a traffic ticket. Maybe next time you'll pay attention. Your Mayor did nothing wrong! He was doing his job and you weren't doing yours!

9:31 yes you are right. We should never rely on our public officials to look after our best interest. We should put our children on the street. Stop working & collect government welfare. Then we could go to ever city board meeting, every county meeting, go to every state agency meeting, go to every state house & senate meeting, & of course fly to Washington to go to every agency, house, & senate meeting there. And in our spare time, we could go to every city, county, circuit, chancery, court of appeals, & Supreme Court hearing. Then if that not enough government to keep a watch on, we could go to every federal court hearing as well. Yes, you are right, we have a responsibly to keep track with government since all of the herein referenced entities can effect our lives. Even though we live in a republic where our elected officials are elected to represent & serve us, we can certainly not depend on that. Especially when they do as the Ridgeland City Hall has done in this matter.

10:26 You're throwing a tantrum. Put your children on the street? Quit your job? Fly all over creation? You've gone off the deep end. Trust that your elected officials will look out for your interests? They have and regularly do. You have the opportunity at 6pm the 1st and 3rd Tuesday's of the month to see how your interests are being served. In fact there's a planning meeting to discuss the agenda of the hearing the day before the meeting, also at 6:00pm. Somebody always has time to get ready for church on Wednesdays, take or pickup kids from scheduled activities at 6pm other days of the week, but go to a foolish city meeting....you're too busy until somebody makes a decision that could have reprocussions on your neighborhood, that you don't agree with, then you say you've been wronged. YOU never told the powers that be that you didn't want the property zoned differently. Pay attention to the town (and its inner workings) that you care about and you won't have to go to an informational meeting and act a fool in front of a major corporation. The Mayor did his job, abided by the confidentiality agreement and released information as was allowed. Had he broke the agreement, he and the City would have been liable for damages. This is big business, not a bakery or cute boutique. Without proper zoning this or any development would never occur. Take the time to pay attention in the future.

As has been stated numerous times, no CA gives ANYelected official the right to lie & deceive. You are worried about the mayor being liable for breaching a CA. How about breaching the public trust. Big Business? BIG LIES!
RCH deceived the citizens of this city for about a year. If a CA agreement said the city officials had to lie & deceive then the city would have no liability for a breach simply because the CA would have been void on its face being against public policy.
Suck up & defend the mayor all you want. His deceptive behavior in this matter can not be morally defended.
You throw a tantrum defending lies & deceit. I throw a tantrum because my mayor has lied & deceived the citizens of this city seriously violating public trust. That does not seem to matter to you.
Lies! Lies! Lies! Does not matter to you?!

The mayor just stated on talk radio that he was at peace with his lord. Is his lord Costco?
All people sin. When one becomes a Christian, there is a process called sanctification( becoming more like Christ). During that process, a Christian may unfortunately sin, but a truly convert Christian should sin less & certainly not be controlled by sin. A truly convert Christian should be controlled by the Holy Spirit. I do not know ANY true evangelical Christian minister that would think one is truly converted to Christiany if one for a year continuely & consistently lies & deceives on one single issue.
My prayer is that the mayor come to know the one true & living God of the Bible, & not the one that he has contrived.

I just think its funny that if a Pottery Barn was locating there, none of these residents would have a problem. The building and parking for a Pottery Barn would be similar size to a Costco. In a perfect world, HCP would be filled with 8 miles of super upscale development. But the truth is, this metropolitan area cannnot support so many upscale developments. There simply are not enough rich people around here. That is the reason so many vacant lots still remain at Renaissance. The majority of the population cannot shop at JCREW or Anthropolgie unless they are shopping the clearance isles. You have to have a HUGE metropolitan area to support such upscale developments, like in Atlanta or Nashville, etc. Normal stores for normal people will have to come to the area in order for the city to succeed.

All of the people that are beating up the Mayor about lying to the citizens of Ridgeland and keeping a secret because of a CA need to understand one thing. Most of you seem to be wealth professional(however I question your professionalism) people who are doctors, lawyers, etc. Do you have patient/client CA agreements or do you run all over town talking about their personal information. There is no difference with what the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen do on a day to day basis when it comes to economic development.

What Ridgeland needs:
1. A new mayor.
2. A new city council.
3. A new city attorney.
4. A new zoning board.
5. Removal of all appointees of the present board.
6. Costco located either across the street from Wendover or next to Colonial Heights Baptist Church.

What Ridgeland needs:
1. A new mayor
2. A new board of alderman
3. A new city attorney
4. A new zoning board
5. Firing Alan Hart
6. Removal of all appointees of the present mayor and alderman.
7. Location of Costco across from Wendover Subdivision or next to Colonial Heights Baptist Church.

Who will fill all of these jobs? Democrats. They will soon realize they can give any republican candidate a run for their money. This next election will be something!

10:02 you are wrong as you can be! A CA is not a license to lie & deceive. The professionals you reference would simply say that they can not comment. A professional would not lie. Those professionals you reference have a medical/legal trust with patient/client. The mayor has a public trust to his constituents. You are silly!

How would have you handled it 11:24? It's easier said than done. Remember that EVERYTHING is under the CA and you are charged with certain duties by the prospective company.

In order to address this issue logically and remove all emotional aspects of the argument from BOTH sides of the issue, I would present to you a white paper titled, "Smart Growth for Small Towns", by the MS State University Extension Service and the Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development. Here's and excerpt as well as the link to the compete research paper:

http://msucares.com/smart-growth-for-small-towns/mixed-land.html

Why the history of separating uses no longer applies

Much has changed since the early 1900s. Industries are much cleaner, and very few truly incompatible uses exist. Commercial development, residential areas, and civic properties can coexist in the same area without issues similar to many Mississippi cities in the early 1900s. Most Mississippi cities had a lively downtown core with retail stores located on the first floor and offices and apartments located on the upper floors. The downtown area was surrounded by quaint residential neighborhoods, which were located within walking distance of churches, stores, businesses, schools, and other daily needs. As evidenced by early Mississippi cities, land uses can be mixed successfully without creating conflict and in doing so create a very successful and sustainable sense of community.

Why is it desirable to mix land uses?

When discussing the benefits of mixed-use development, it is also important to weigh those benefits against the negative impacts of single-use zoning.

Single-use zoning also creates activity zones within your community. Residential areas are basically void of people from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. while people are at work, and commercial areas are void of people from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. while people are at home. This means that entire zones of your community are empty for long periods of time throughout the day, which does not make efficient use of costly infrastructure and creates opportunities for crime and vandalism. Infrastructure is extremely expensive, which is why it should be utilized more than 8 hours per day. Mixed-use areas provide opportunities for activity 24 hours per day. When residential and commercial areas are found in the same area, there are always people present. This creates a safer environment and reduces crime and vandalism because there are always “eyes on the street.” Mixed-use areas also make wiser use of infrastructure since they are used at all times of the day.

Traffic congestion is also a side effect of singe-use zoning because by separating the uses, cities force people to drive to the different zones. In many cases cities funnel all traffic onto one or two major arterial roads, which means that not only are almost all residents forced to drive to every destination, they are also forced onto a single road. So it is no surprise that traffic congestion exists, which detracts from the overall character of the community and creates a very negative experience for residents and visitors. The only true remedy for traffic congestion is to reduce the number of automobiles by eliminating the number of trips to access daily needs. Mixed-use development accomplishes this by allowing people to walk, bike, or drive to their daily needs.

Ridgeland needs to do an exchange with Jackson--Trade Gene McGee for Kenneth Stokes even if we have to pay money to trade?

There has been mixed use development along and around HCP for a long time. That does not mean, however, that any and all uses should be permitted in the area, and the Ridgeland Master Plan did a good job of setting out uses that would have promoted the idea you posted above. That Plan has now been altered through a zoning change that will allow non-conforming uses that are incompatible with the good mixed use plan that was in place prior to the zoning change. That is what people oppose.

2:03. You had the opportunity to voice your concerns. That opportunity found you sitting on the sidelines. Get over it. It's life. It's a good deal for Ridgeland, even if it's not the very best thing that could have been placed there for your neighborhood.

3:00 this is a,long way from being over

"This is a long way from being over" is what a person who feels the need to delude himself of the reality he's in. Ask any coach whose team is getting its ass kicked says at halftime what he says and it's some form of this.

Like it or not, Costco going in at this site is really a done deal. Residents should now press for changes in how future zoning changes can be so quickly applied to any parcel of land. Threats of voting officials out of office do little good if the voters who put them there don't take the time to understand there's more to buying a home in a town that has an undeveloped area, than putting down a deposit. This development was made possible because of the rules/laws that were already in place. How nieve can you be to think Big Business and a Developer aren't going to use those laws to their advantage and there's not anything you can do about it. Call the Mayor all the names you want, he just followed the laws that were on the books..

Like it or not, Costco going in at this site is really a done deal. Residents should now press for changes in how future zoning changes can be so quickly applied to any parcel of land. Threats of voting officials out of office do little good if the voters who put them there don't take the time to understand there's more to buying a home in a town that has an undeveloped area, than putting down a deposit. This development was made possible because of the rules/laws that were already in place. How nieve can you be to think Big Business and a Developer aren't going to use those laws to their advantage and there's not anything you can do about it. Call the Mayor all the names you want, he just followed the laws that were on the books..

I am at the meeting now. I bet these Costco folks are getting a good laugh at these idiots standing up with their notes and making their Inspector gadget findings. Really people? You look stupid.

I can assure u the Costco people were not laughing after the meeting. They felt betrayed by developers. Developers could not deliver. Mayor sitting on front row shell shocked that opponents could dominate the meeting. He knows his lies have finished his political career.

Gene McGee is finished. He has destroyed any credibility he may have had. No one can lie & deceive voters to this extent & survive.

Costco executives were ticked. Developers put a hornet's nest on their head. Mayor sat in stunned silence. These people are mad, really mad! And, Costco got the message loud & clear. McGee can forget getting his name on new municipal complex. He is toast!

The opposition to Costco at the roundabout is growing. 3,000 + signatures & growing. This is almost the total # of votes he got last contested election. McGee is toast! Aldermen need to get in line if they desire to be reelected.

So true 7:11. Embarrassingly stupid for our City and State. Who the hell is that Bill May guy?? Rambling senseless fool!

Umm, 9:30 and 10:23, were we at the same meeting? Everyone at the head table was calm. Just a few idiots in the crowd. As well as some quiet support and reasonable opposition.

Bill May's factual research putting out the truth of this whole mess must be to much for you. If you are man enough give him a call, I'm sure he would be glad to discuss the issues with you rather than anonymously calling him a fool. He probably is far more intelligent than you.

Umm.....11:009.....I was at the meeting also. The crowd was rude and mean....EVEN to the pastor who moderated!! The comment I liked most from those pompous assholes was, "do you see all these folks in this room?? We all live around that proposed development and we make up most of Ridgeland's tax base. You need to consider a location on the east side"! Now, if I lived on the "east side"......what she was REALLY saying was "cross da tracks"......I would be PISSED at that bitch for looking down her cosmetically altered nose at me!

Deer in the median & feeders are getting more media coverage than the Costco/Ridgeland deal. I wonder what it would be like to to be a deer caught in the headlights when the timer goes off on a feeder full of Costco corn?

It's called business, Ridgeland Rednecks.

The preacher is definitely aligned with developers. His ego could not resist moderating. Developers had a problem finding someone to moderate. Their first moderator turned them down. Seeing the strong, respectable opposition he said he was glad he did. The people opposing this are very respected people in the community.
I do not recall the east side comment. I feel quite sure you are not correct.
The crowd was anything but rude & mean. You pro Developer people are simply not telling,the truth.
These people were respectful to Costco executives, they just strongly expressed their disapproval of the site location. You can spread lies all you want on this site, but the truth of the matter is these people said a Costco at a compatible land use location in Ridgeland would be well received.just not at the proposed site! Be truthful for a change.

I did not see that the preacher was aligned with anyone. He was not the strongest person for the job as he let people go over their time, without asking an actual question, time and again.

I am sure the Costco nor the developers were shocked, surprised or embarrassed. If there was no opposition there would have been no reason for this meeting. The opposition did not "take control" of the meeting, the meeting was handed to them on a silver platter. From what I heard, the panel said time and again that this is their choice of sites. that this is what is best for them.

I am sorry that the above poster did not hear the woman make her statement, but I did as did most everyone else. We also heard the "threats" of the people in the room of not shopping at Costco. Do you really think that made an impression? People from Granada to H'burg will be coming to shop at this store and these people, with all their self importance, really think that will make Costco tuck and run? Give it a year after opening and almost every single person in that room will be a card carrying member of Costco standing in line for their excellent selection of wines.

Almost every person that spoke looked foolish, their over inflated egos were showing. How many times did we hear "I am offended", like anyone cares. And just a side note, people should not let their young children ride their bikes on the trails alone. Not even "nice neighborhoods" are that safe.

The couple sitting next to me ask a good question. Everyone is upset about the developers using the tax break. Their question was, would any person in that room give up their tax deductions because they are "wealthy". Nothing that is happening is breaking the law, the tax break it there and it is legal. The zoning was changed and changed legally. If you do not like it, work to get the law changed but do not sling mud when you are using your own "social welfare" every April 15th.

Costco faces lawsuit over sale of prawns allegedly farmed by slave labor--Google this, my friends. Do we want these creeps in our backyard. By the way for the redneck from Pearl, who was at the meeting last night and wants Ridgeland to have a Costco, prawn is a fancy word for shrimp.

9:32 Really reaching with the prawn story. But doesn't touch the fact that you just horribly insulted a disabled war veteran. No matter how a one feels about Costco, only a truly sorry excuse for a human would dare make a comment like that about someone who has served our country. He said nothing negative. He had experience in the industry and welcomed the business to his hometown. Shame...

The land in question will immediately develop once the fly-over road is completed. This proposed site is probably the most desirable in the entire state for commercial property because of its easy access to I55, 220 and Lake Harbour/Spillway. If Mattiace/Costco decide not to buy the property, it will immediately sell to someone else. I would prefer Mattiace,who developed Renaissance I, to develop this site as well, but it is no guarantee. None of the property near the fly-over will remain vacant much longer.

If the truth & facts matter to you, it was not "I am offended", it was "I am opposed".
Just more pro garbage!

9:32 Is that you John Culpepper?? Sound just like something that would come out of your mouth.

Hey, 9:46.....you are WrONG (or lying to cover your display of ignorance last night). The comment was, indeed, "I am Offended". Kingfish now has the vid posted. No more lying for you!

Yep, for sure "I am offended". These folks are so high and mighty, too bad they are not right.

Anybody got proof of the statement that this tax base supports the entire city of Ridgeland? Or was this not said either?

However, they have conveniently left off the end of the video where Stephanie Nix talks about how the east side people can't afford to shop at a Costco. Well played, well played!!!!

You Ridgeland Rednecks are hilarious!