Jackson Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes held a town hall forum about the JPS bond referendum Monday night at Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church on Martin Luther King Drive. Mr. Stokes exuded a different personna than the bombastic one that attracts the camera. He opened up the floor to opinions from all sides. Foes and Friends of the bond referendum were treated the same. It was more lively than the similar forum JPS held at Obama Elementary School on the same night. The complete video is posted below. Enjoy.
Posted below is a road map of the videos.
*Mr. Stokes opened up the forum by pointing out that JPS was not bound by the project list it was using to promote the bond issue. He said there was no "guarantee" that JPS would use the money for the projects listed on its website. (3:00)
*Leroy Walker spoke up in support of the referendum (18:55). He said he and Brad Pigott were co-chairmen of the committee that was promoting the bond referendum. What was interesting was how often he said, "I'm not a liar." He said the children needed the bond and passing the bond would "send a message to MDE." He also said "You're taxes will not go up" several times.
*School Board members defended bond referendum at 26:20. JPS CFO Sharolyn Miller gave her version of the nuts and bolts of the bond issue at 30:00.
*Renee Shakespeare wore out JPS several times (37:00).
*Eyes Wide Shut spoke up at 47:00. He jumped on Ms. Miller for saying that the community did not support the public schools and pulled no punches. He said that JPS was paying three times the amount of fees for a smaller bond issue than Rankin County paid. He also said JPS did not provide an itemized list of all projects and called the bond issue "a slush fund."
*Hazel Bryant Shields, Treasurer of the Lanier Alumni Association, handed a binder filled with pictures of the structural problems at Lanier High School to the JPS officials who were present (54:00).
*Dorothy Davis spoke out against the bond issue (1:03). She said she was telling people not to vote for the bond issue.
*One Voice Executive Director Nsombi Lambright spoke up in favor of the bond issue (1:09:16). Um, let's just say it was very entertaining as yours truly got somewhat involved. It's going to get its own post and will be discussed later. Watch 1:14:00.
*Renee Shakespeare took the podium at 1:22:40. She shucked the corn and laid it on the line as she saw things. She said the school board "is not responsive to us because they are not beholden to us." She said the available information on the school bond issue that was on the JPS website was "abysmal." "Jackson Public Schools is top-heavy" she said to applause. She questioned the One Voice contract with the Better Together Commission to um, "canvass" Jackson instead of promoting the bond issue.
*The JPS Construction Director addressed the audience (1:27 of second video).
*Leroy Walker got back up (9:30 in second video) and said they would be transparent on the school bond issue. He said JPS was underfunded by $91 million due to the shortage of the MAEP formula. He said the bond issue is about "these children that need our help." He said several more times stating he was not lying. "What am I going to do, lie in a church?" he said. (13:37 in second video.)
*Mr. Stokes said "we are all for public schools." "Whether we been tricked or whatever, we've been hoodwinked too many times" said the Ward 3 Councilman.
*Reverend P.J. Williams, Pastor of Cornerstone, asked what would happen if the bond issue did not pass (24:00 in second video). Ms. Miller said MDE would revisit JPS and use determine if JPS had passed the 32 standards used by MDE to determine accreditation. If MDE determined the standards were not met, MDE could again ask for the Governor to declare an emergency or it could place JPS under an achievement school district (which would not require the Governor's approval.) She said $16 million of the $65 million bond issue was earmarked for corrective actions required by MDE.
*Reverend Williams said "they fooled us that day" about the $90 million Siemens contract. "They said it was to stop people from stealing water, now they ain't even got no water" said the good Reverend (31:50 in second video). Watch the rest of his diatribe. It's pretty funny.
Sunday, July 22, 2018
"Can't We Stop Being Stupid Some Time" (Stokes School Bond Town Hall Updated)
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15 comments:
I care as much about this as I do a dead dog.
For the most part, the first hour was a yawn fest, other than the conversations including Ms. Shakespeare, and when she takes the podium for the last 10 minutes or so, it's absolutely clear that she has the right message. What an incredible lady. As for Leroy Walker, I can guarantee you right now that 8 out of 10 of his McDonalds restaurants have a broken shake machine. That's just the way it goes. As for Kenny Stokes, I'm baffled. I've watched Kenny in Jackson and Hinds County politics since he began, and all of a sudden it's like the man has come upon a "Stoke of Genius". I can actually support this Kenny Stokes. Makes me wonder if he's realized the Lumumba family tree has produced tainted fruit that nobody is buying, stepping in to the Mayors position next time around should be really easy.
Now, as for making repairs to the schools, from Junior High on up, when I attended Chastain middle school in '76 and '77, we had a shop class where we made stuff with REAL power tools and even painted stuff. Make the shop class school wide to benefit the schools. Teach these kids the basics of home repair by doing what they can to fix their own schools. Then, just maybe, they will take pride in their work and maybe for the ones that don't attend college, having an interest in the skilled trades will lead them to be productive citizens in life.
I would love to know who (if anyone) listened for 2 hours and 10 minutes to this drivel.
Apparently 8:51 did.
Never underestimate Kenneth when it comes to Jackson politics.
She shucked the corn all right. We need to get rid of the mayor and all the other trifling fools and put people like her in charge!
I do side with Kenny stokes on this issue. Hey even a broken watch is right twice a day!!! Well said kenny.
Please take KF's advice and watch the last 3 minutes of the second video....LMAO
"Folks in Jackson ain't gone steal no wata, they may steal soemthin' else, but they ain't gone steal no wata".......
The story about the vacum cleaner is funny as hell......
Once again, I am supremely grateful than my zip code is 39110. Amen.....
THIS is why JJ is No. 1!!!
Second video at 29:10 "JPS does not own a softball or baseball field"
That school that was built where the mighty Forest Hill once stood had one of the finest baseball fields at one time. Is it gone?
There are ballfields all over Jackson. South Jackson, West Jackson and North Jackson. Stupid comment.
Yep, stupid!!! Desoto district is spending $3,000,000 while we get called racist for rejecting a 65,000,000 bond referendum....
I would not buy JPS bonds, regardless of the alleged return, if I were laundering money. I'm sure if they wind up being offered, they'll likely find buyers, just like Lamar Adams and his ilk always manage to find suck...er, selected investors. Have there been any real details offered yet as to the technicals and disclosures?
"Those People" think calling you racist will shut you down. And up. Maybe it did fifteen years ago. NO MO.
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