Saturday, February 6, 2016

Building the Jackson airport

It is time to take one more step into the Jackson municipal airport past.  Newspaper articles from the late 1950's show the efforts made by the city of Jackson to build a new airport.  The articles show how city fathers strove mightily to bring a "jet-age" airport to Jackson and find a way to pay for it without breaking the bank.  It was a time of excitement and anticipation for Jackson as the project to build the reservoir was underway as well.  There were heroes and villains but in the end, progress was made.  Some highlights of the articles are:

*Oliver Emmerich (Wyatt Emmerich's father) bragged in a headline that Jackson would "be 16 hours from any sport in the entire world".
*Articles covering the ground-breaking ceremonies (p.4)
*Jackson would double air passengers from 1959 to 1965 (p.9). 
*77% of voters approved a $3 million bond issue for construction of airport.(p.12)
*Newspaper ad promoting bond issue (p.13)
*Editorial criticizing railroads for opposing airport project (p.14)
*Louis Cotton led fight against bond issue. (p. 15-16)
*Railroad opposes airport unless, get this, the air carriers paid for its construction.  (p.17-18)
*Air National Guard states it will have to cut its funding for part of the airport construction by $1.3 million. (p.19)
*City Council appropriates $125,000 for purchase of new land for airport project.  Federal government will provide matching funds. (p.20)
*Rankin County Board of Supervisors praised the Jackson Airport Commission for placing the new airport in Rankin County.  Entire resolution is published. (p.28)

Earlier posts
Jackson lost federal funds over airport segregation.
The airport opens
How the airport was won.
The new airport's master plan.
Why is the Jackson airport in Rankin County?
Why Jackson built a new airport.


Click on image to enlarge

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

The new airport in NOLA is being paid for by, wait for it.... The air carriers.

Anonymous said...

Great idea, 2:42. Harkins should have Rankin County build a new airport and get the air carriers to pay for it. Since it will be managed by the state, according to him, Southwest will come back. I'm sure that they will be willing to pitch in a bunch of the cost. Probably could get Rudy to come down and do a master plan for it - at not much cost since Madison has already paid for the templates.


Anonymous said...

A new airport will drain JAN faster than JAN drained Hawkins Field. Be careful with your bravado because the ANG would also move to a new state-of-the-art field.

Anonymous said...

is it no apparent to you that nobody gives a shit about how the airport was built when my grandpa was still in charge? move on barexamfailer

Anonymous said...

Is the airport a regional airport? Because if the answer is yes, then govern it as such. Period. Also, if I am not mistaken, the positions will be spread out over several counties. That means it is up to the county/city to pick the members, right? Than how is it a state takeover.

That is the same way it came into existence. They are just tweeking it to reflect the growth and usage of airport. I also saw where the Mayor stated, "an exclusive investment by the city." Is that so? I don't think so. What say you Fish?

Anonymous said...

It is not a regional airport. It is an airport built, owned and operated by the City of Jackson. Period.

It came into existence as a city airport. It is and never has been a 'regional airport'.

It was an exclusive investment by the city - of course it had federal matching money included, but there was no state money or Hinds County money or other county money. Read all the documents that JJ has posted and you could find this out for yourself.

If it was a 'regional airport' built with state monies involved, then there would be an argument. But just like most airports in the state (Gulfport, Tupelo, Oxford, Meridian, Hattiesburg, Natchez, Greenville, Greenwood, this could go on but this covers most of the major and midmajors) they are municipally owned.

If the state can arbitrarily take over Jackson, the question is will they take over all the other municipal airports in the state.

Anonymous said...

5:59 - I think the comment about Rankin building a new airport was a little fanticiful - just like the idea that Madison might build Rudy's folly. There is no way that the FAA would approve, much less assist with funding, another major airport in this flight zone. I assume the comment was made in jest to indicate the ridiculous concept of the Harkins bill.

Where Kredik Is Do said...

Lots of work and research have gone into this report as evidenced by the links, photos, etc. Good job KF. And, no, I'm not Kingfish...not even a regular fan. Just giving credit where credit seems due.

And to the Goob at 9:49: Regional - that which serves a region.

Anonymous said...

This history has been fascinating. It is a shame with a order of the Jackson Council they obliterated the name of the Mayor responsible for bringing the airport project together. Flawed character or not he deserves the credit for what was a real power play, leadership roll, and revolutionary move at the time.

Medgar Evers was a great leader also but there seems to be many other places of importance in Jackson that could have been used to honor his memory.

Compass Rose said...

"Be careful with your bravado because the ANG would also move to a new state-of-the-art field."

Yeah, like totally away from the Jackson area. They could be housed in Lauderdale County. They certainly would not spend over half a billion on a new facility in Hinds or Rankin.

Still totally unclear how Phil or the bill-writer thinks the state has claim to a municipal facility.

Kingfish said...

1. Never failed the bar because I never took it. Got it, liar?

2. No one gives a ____? The traffic says otherwise. Not to mention, more than a few politicians and other people involved in this fight have been reading these posts and told me they learned much about the history and creation of the airport.

The articles and other information posted were copied from the collection of Baxter Wilson that is housed at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History downtown on North Street. 19 boxes. While you were sneering and saying a couple of weeks ago I was posting weak material, well, I was down at the MDAH spending several hours reading through those boxes and copying what I thought was relevant. It is called research.

Try again.

Anonymous said...

""And to the Goob at 9:49: Regional - that which serves a region.

February 7, 2016 at 3:37 AM"

Goob. Any airport is regional by your definition. They all serve a region. Golden Triangle Regional airport serves the three county Golden Triangle Region. Mid-Delta Regional (Greenville) serves all the delta. University (Oxford) serves NW MS.

One of the above was built, is owned and managed by a three county regional authority. The second is owned and controlled by a city. The third is owned and managed by the University of Mississippi.

Definitions do have meanings though, but that is not the issue. Realize your eyes (and mind) are probably bleary eyed and you don't want to address the issue here, but would rather have a love-fest with KF in your adoration. But - get some sleep and leave the discussion up to folks that want to address the real question of this matter.

Anonymous said...

Interesting thoughts about the regional airports. All the other regional airports in Mississippi have boards or commissions operating them. These boards are all appointed by the entity that owns the airport - either the city, county or the combination of entities. None of them have their boards appointed by the Governor!

Wonder if they all -since as has been constantly said about Harkins' takeover that this is a regional airport - should have their boards changed to where the Governor appoints the members. I bet those folks in Golden Triangle, or Hattiesburg & Laurel, or others will really think that is as good an idea as Harkins' thinks it is for the metro area.

Goob Patrol said...

It is a regional airport. It serves and operates largely at the behest of a region, as do the others you listed. It's customer base is regional. Sorry you don't like the definition of regional. The definition of regional has nothing to do with who built the airport or who runs it. I don't know that ALL airports are regional and don't care. I do know that this one is.

Next, we will explore the definition of Goob. Will 1:28 please step up on stage?

Anonymous said...

If it is a regional airport, and therefore the management should be changed for the Governor to make the appointments as to who manages it, do you then agree that the other regional airports in the state should be changed and the management taken away from the current owners and turned over to the Governor? Or just this particular airport whose management happens to be in the hands of a black city?

The other regional airports in the state serves and operates 'largely at the behest of a region" as you admit. So the same concept should apply to them, shouldn't they?

Compass Rose said...

I don't advocate the governor seizing the reigns and have asked repeatedly how he might be able to do that. But thanks for invoking your race-based theory, as you probably always do in every discussion. My thoughts about whether this bill and this governor can succeed in seizing the airport board have nothing to do with race. And thanks for playing, Ray Nagin.

Kingfish said...

Ok, Class of 2014 Reunion time is over. Stay on topic.

Anonymous said...

Let Rankin and Madison County take control of the airport, but make them pay the fair market value of the assets. Jackson can take that money and spend it on infrastructure!

Anonymous said...

If Jackson ever gets a dollar it will go the way every dollar they ever get, in the pockets of the city leaders.

Anonymous said...

7:27 - good thought, IF Jackson wants to sell. But a sale requires a willing seller and a willing buyer. By the way, I haven't seen anything yet that makes me think Madison has any interest in this project. They were brought in by Harkins' bill, but without any prior discussion with the current leadership.

Kingfish said...

Everyone has a price. It is just a question of whether you can afford it.

Anonymous said...

Kingfish says 'stay on topic'. Well, what the hell IS the topic? All of these Airport Threads are nothing more than race baiting by the admin who knows his hits will increase when he throws raw-race-meat on the table.

Anonymous said...

Agree with you that KF would do that to increase the hits - but this time he just got lucky. Harkins filed a bill to take over Jackson's property that has generated interest all over the state - because the bill will eventually be amended to cover all commercial airports. The fact that Harkins focused only on the one in Jackson whos Board is all black and the city is majority black made the issue one of race as well as government overreach.

So yes - it has turned into focusing on the Rankin County racist attitude toward the proposed takeover. But that just helped KF - this time I don't think it was his purpose.

Anonymous said...

Harkins filed a bill to take over Jackson's property that has generated interest all over the state - because the bill will eventually be amended to cover all commercial airports.

Bullshit. Prove it.


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
.