Jackson Jambalaya

Get out while you still can.

So they want to raise taxes on a very small part of the city where businesses are actually doing well? Doesn’t seem smart to me

Amazing legal staff of the city to find AG opinions that say this can be done. There is a very specific AG opinion issued in 2008 or 2009 that says signatures cannot be collected electronically.

So this may well create another reason this entire process will be invalid, therefore denying these self-appointed tax assessors, collectors, and spenders there private piggy bank.

I wouldn't pay one red cent unless they can put a gate up and hire armed guards.

Yes! Just what mississippi needs, more segregation!

" Yes! Just what mississippi needs, more segregation! "

Segregation based on common sense is good for all races.

This is great news for Belhaven and greater Jackson. The city is still in a financial rut with overwhelming infrastructure needs. Belhaven residents are willing to pay more for neighborhood improvements the city can't provide. It's a freedom-loving solution to a major problem. Self-help. Home rule. The suburbs benefit from less rot in the trunk of the tree. Improvement districts are 100% good.

You SHOULD have to pay extra taxes to live in the same neighborhood Tom Head does! Racists!

I have no objection to paying for improvements that are chosen by a representative body selected by those taxed. This arrangement is not that. The decision makers are self appointed members of a voluntary neighborhood association and serve for an indefinite term. Other than “trust us - we love the neighborhood”, and I don’t doubt that they do, there is no assurance of accountability to the residents for decisions and priorities. Many of the self appointed leaders have significant business interests in the neighborhood. They can’t be faulted for wanting to protect those interests, but the potential for self dealing and conflicts can’t be denied. Change the structure to make the decision makers democratically selected and there would probably be a lot more enthusiasm. Who would be onboard with a governor personally handpicking every legislator in the state?

Hey, I know a guy with a lot of neighborhood management experience that could help y'all out with the annual money you collect. I don't think he's as busy with those other neighborhoods as he once was, so he may have time to talk to you. Let me know, and I'll see if I can find him.....

Tom Head.

(Laughing now).

I had forgotten about him.

Now that Baptist Hospital has metastasized into Belhaven, there's no chance of fencing/gating/guarding the community. The Western edge is too indefinite, now. At one point, it was feasible, though. At this point, I doubt it's possible to even reduce the number of streets leading into the neighborhood. So, really, what's the point?

So glad I sold my Jackson properties, acquired when I was basically just a foolish child, and used the money to finance a terminal degree.

### Metro Ad Valorem Millage Rates (2018-2019) ###

Jackson = 69.03 mils (Belhaven 'freedom-loving' rate)

Jackson = 63.03 mils

Canton = 56.32 mils

Edwards = 47.0 mils
Clinton = 44.49 mils

Bolton = 36.3 mils
Flora = 34.5 mils
Byram = 34.1 mils
---> AVERAGE = 33.6 mils <---
Brandon = 33.0 mils
Raymond = 30.72 mils

Madison = 28.8 mils
Terry = 27.85 mils
Pearl = 27.5 mils
Raymond = 25.62 mils
Florence = 22.9 mils
Ridgeland = 20.03 mils
Flowood = 20.0 mils

Richland = 19.0 mils

* excludes County & School District

Surely they realize what taxes they collect in the “district” will be reduced by the council that was supposed to be spent in said district. If they were going to spend 3,000,000 in Belhaven “district” the council without them knowing would just reduce to 2,800,000. Council looking for money and will say those dumbass “district” folks helping us

Will this tax help restore that "mountain goat" trail that at one time was known as Riverside Drive ?

Do these people realize that the COJ will drastically reduce the amount of money they currently spend in Belhaven? I know, it's not supposed to be that way, but just you wait and see! The dollars currently going to the Belhaven area will end up in someones (???) pocket. It won't even be redistributed to the rest of the city.

Have these people lost their friggin' minds?!

Any tax will supplant the existing tax money spent in Belhaven.

Voting yes is like voting for Baby Chok.

" Now that Baptist Hospital has metastasized into Belhaven, there's no chance of fencing/gating/guarding the community."

Yep.
Just like when St. D became ground zero of "The Fondren".

Then. . . the folks behind CS's invented "Midtown".

Theodor Geisel ( AKA Dr. Seuss) would have had a field day with this stuff.

If you can't trust your neighbors, who can you trust?

“ Surely they realize what taxes they collect in the “district” will be reduced by the council that was supposed to be spent in said district. If they were going to spend 3,000,000 in Belhaven “district” the council without them knowing would just reduce to 2,800,000. Council looking for money and will say those dumbass “district” folks helping us
August 28, 2020 at 7:48 PM“
——————————————

I’m tempted to agree with this but I’m also curious how much $ the council has done. Might come out even in the end.

Wack jobs.

It’s a shamed that Jackson spends so little money on infrastructure that a neighborhood has to assess itself a separate tax to do the things their city taxes should pay for. I am thankful I don’t live in Jackson.

It seems to me that this is a decision for the property owners of Belhaven.

The rest of you are just annoying busybodies.

Screw these people

As Kenny Stokes likes to say, this is a win win for the city of Jackson. (Except for the Belhaven homeowners).

I signed this form very early in the process and wished I had not. Upon learning how this will actually be run, it is was a HUGE mistake to sign. Jennifer Welch, who owns tons of property around Belhaven, is one of the committee members. Guess where all the funds will probably be directed? To areas around Belhaven Residential properties. I agree, the "trust us" committee will end up in litigation in the end.

@10:27 am - Karen, is that you?

Sorry folks, Madison is no longer taking applications. Y'all will have to move to Rankin County.

1157 - you can have your name removed - and I encourage you to do it. Your assessment is correct, this is being pushed by the large property owners who want to use this money to replace their security systems. That is, except for the $50 thousand they want to pay (an unidentfied, but already selected) "planner" - gotta have some write a few pages telling how to spend these new found riches.

Belhaven residents are overwhelmingly behind the CID initiative. The loudest voice, and most likely all the negative comments on this post are the same loud spoken jackass that has railed against it on Nextdoor. His fat, irresponsible ass is afraid we'll make him cut his yard and remove the junk yard from his driveway. Worthless drunk, terrible father, and business failure that just wants his FreeDumb. Sorry to take your Nextdoor bully pulpit away from you but we're tired of your bullshit. Can't wait until the CID passes and you pack your stuff and move out of the neighborhood in protest. Don't worry, we won't miss you and your ignorant mouth.

When Belhaven residents call City Hall to complain about any damned thing needing repair or attention, guess what they're gonna be told? It don't take a brain scientist to figure this out.

If the residents of this prissy neighborhood collect $680,000 dollars via this self-tax, guess what...That's your deductible when you have problems and call the city.

Pay MORE taxes to an administration that is wasting the ones Belhaven is ALREADY paying and not get services

The process is transparent, with the plan fully disclosed to those who vote on it and pay the assessment. So many of these comments are ignorant and/or uninformed. I don't have a stake in the process or the neighborhood but I'm happy no one cares what the anonymous comment trolls on this blog think.

Move to The Fondren.

Federal tax, state income tax, car tags, gas tax, sales tax, business permit fees, FCC taxes on your phone, 911 Fees, hunting and fishing tax, drivers license fee, concealed carry permit fee, occupational permit and licensing fees and that is just off the top of my head. All of these fees are just a form of tax! You are spending a fortune in taxes already.

" When Belhaven residents call City Hall to complain about any damned thing needing repair or attention, guess what they're gonna be told? "


If they are lucky anyone answers the phone, I'm willing to bet they will hear a low tier city employee laugh
. . . and scream NEXT.

I own a home in Belhaven.

I would be cool with it if elected officials with term limits within the neighborhood were in charge, but this is totally stupid.

These neighborhood association group people have some of the crappiest yards in the neighborhood.

Shout out to their project where they put bags of cement next to the creek on Peachtree Street. Go by and check it out, just plastic bags of cement sitting there. Great job guys. I'm sure Belhaven University likes the litter. Then there is the doctor in the big house who took down all the reflective street signs and put them in his yard...and plays at times crappy music you can hear down Kenwood.

Now if they want do it the right way like pay for cameras at every entrance to the neighborhood then I'm cool with that.

Anonymous troll @ 6:07 said: "I'm happy no one cares what the anonymous comment trolls on this blog think".

I work downtown in a fairly conservative environment and have spoken to1/2 doz people that live there that are against the new tax. I know a few other folks that live there but based on what these few are saying I find it hard to believe most residents are going to put up with it.

8:41 pm Why don't you just hold a bake sale instead of paying taxes?

See if you can fix roads and build bridges, take care of military, police and fire and yes, do spend time trying to get an ambulance or police to your home or car accident ( maybe those extra minutes won't matter).

FCC taxes weren't so bad compared to what my cable and now Wifi costs are once we gave away free airways. And, the old Ma Bell is looking like a charity compared to the costs of a cell phone.

As for hunting and fishing, we could return to the days when Buffaloes nearly disappeared and whole lakes were emptying of fish.

Maybe we could return to the good old days when you could have your teeth pulled at the barber shop. Or, get an infection or chemical burn. Wouldn't that be great?

As for Belhaven, I used to live there. Loved it, but wanted a larger place with less maintenance. I would have read and ask questions before I signed anything. It's there business. They can fix it or not. Unless they are you and just choose to remain ignorant and believe you are the center of the universe.

No matter what Belhaven does, things will not
change. Just ride down Robinson Road, West Capitol,
and many South Jackson streets and you will get
a view of Belhaven’s future !
We raised 3 sons and lived in Belhaven for 27 years and
were very happy. We sold our home in 2016 at more than a fair
price. Better get out ASAP !!!!!!! 50% on the dollar is just around
the corner.
I know what I’m talking about ! I’ve been in the real estate
business for 56 years !

Gosh 5:06. Kinda mean and vitriolic post. Resorting to name calling isn't usually the most effective means of persuasion. I have actually never publicly stated anything regarding the CID. I just don't support it. Many, many folks don't support it, as evidenced by this last effort to get electronic signatures. The petition has been available to sign for many months now, and the group in support has held signing events, been present at restaurant openings, and canvassed door to door. The virus has nothing to do with a lack of signatures. Your response says much about what Belhaven residents can expect from the the "trust me", benevolent group attempting to force taxes because the group could not get sufficient participation in their "voluntary" initiatives. We already have a taxing authority, known as the city government, as sorry as it may be, that we elect and can vote out of power.

Paying through the nose for schools you don't use and now paying double for other services the city has already been paid to do.

1:16, Your post is understood; however, do you really think paying school taxes has no return on investment, even for those with no children in public schools? The product turned out by some districts aside...the investment in public education goes deeper than having a kid in the school population.

And you claim you 'don't use' public schools?