Jackson Jambalaya

He likely couldn't put up with Chowke's incompetency and micromanaging. Right?

But did the headhunter get their fee?

Sounds a bit like Madison County, seein' as how Steen ran 'em off soon as they settled in.

I wonder what lies they told him to convince him to take the job in the first place?

I thought when they introduced him he was too competent for the position.

"Prospective hires are required to proved advance notice of their resignation at least 45 days before their start date. New hires who actually report to work will be charged advanced terminal leave and must pay this back within 90 days."

They don't pay enough to get some people to take a job designed for failure. Fortunately for this guy he found out before he made a fool of himself. Don't worry they will find someone desperate enough to put his/her head in the noose.

Took them 10 days to show him the budget!!! No money or personnel to fix anything!

Does he know how to manage a sewer system? Ted might be hiring real soon!

A job just as tough as Henifin's at 1/4 the salary and none of the budget?
Say What?!!! I'm outta here!

I can't help but wonder if the JXN Water status hearings before US Federal Judge Wingate had anything to do with the new public works director's resignation. After all, the mayor's crowd was exposed as racist buffoons - which extends to Antar himself. What self-respecting person would want to be a part of that?

Are they going to drop the Interim tag on Robert Lee again?

Knowing Robert, I almost feel sorry for him. But not really.

Best decision he ever made.

It would be really awesome if someone could interview him and ask what happened.

Maybe, just maybe, he actually wanted to do a good job of fixing Jackson's public works. It took him less than 2 weeks to find out Jackson politics do allow for such shenanigans. He would not fit in. If you cannot do the job you keep the job and make all the money you can while you can. He should move on like so many others have done.

Does Ted have any more capacity? Only way Jackson will find someone competent to accept (and keep) that job is to take it out from under the mayor’s control… just like everything else. Pretty soon we can just eliminate the whole position of mayor, right?

8:01 - No where near close.

Henifin's job, managing a utility that operates under strict state and federal standards compared to city streets - few if any regulatory standards, other than bridges, drainage, and what else?

Yes, the job prior to the state - followed by the feds when the Governor said he was through (when Baby Chock said he could/would handle his failure) was worth a lot more. And the city wouldn't pay it. Now the salary plus benefits is probably appropriate. That is, if you leave out the part of having to report to an incompetent boss who wants to micromanage everything and take care of the kush

Someone probably told him is was mandatory that he had to live in Jackson.

8:02

If it took that status hearing to prove “the mayor's crowd was exposed as racist buffoons” somebody ain’t been paying attention to the last 2+ years!

Apparently he watched one of the televised city council meetings.

He immediately tired of the Assistant Mayor's crap (Rukia).

There are a lot of eyes and ears watching this event and many uncomfortable questions will be asked.

"I can't help but wonder if the JXN Water status hearings before US Federal Judge Wingate had anything to do with the new public works director's resignation."

That would make sense.

Obviously, he found out when it comes to Jackson, Public Works means you need to get the public to do the work.

Playing devils advocate. Maybe he didn't want to go through confirmation vote

Ted’s job is far easier than the public works director. Ted has a pile of free money, and the city leaders can’t interfere. What hurts any capable city employee is that you have no money, can’t hire good contractors because of city interference, and can’t fire bad employees and hire good employees because of city interference.

@8:45 - KF - maybe. I'm more inclined to believe that the mayor promised something he couldn't deliver - and it wasn't clean. Whole situation stinks worse than the sewer issue. Lumumba is a criminal and historically, that's who he's done business with.

Hopefully he burned his clothes and showered after meeting with Chowke.

Why does every news story state "Khalid Wood, a Navy veteran?" I too am a Navy veteran, but why is that relevant? If he was a former Navy SeaBee (Construction Battalion), that would be very relevant to this position, but alas, no mention of that work history.

@5:44pm
Who was the headhunter who sold him the job?

Maybe he didn't want to participate in Chowke's "contract steering" and palm greasing. Right?

Or maybe he realized the job was impossible once he had the facts.

Why do so many assume the worst about a person or a conspiracy with no evidence?

I wouldn't take that job because I wouldn't have the human resources or tools/equipment or budget to do the job even adequately. Nor, would the salary make the public harassment of me or my friends and family worth it.

The most likely explanation to me is that he is smart and sane.

You know, before you decide someone is a "criminal", you might ought to have actual evidence. IF there was ANY, then are ALL our law enforcement and elected officials in our COUNTIES AND STATE, that damn dumb they can't find even enough to trigger an investigation? Or are our laws so bad "corruption" has been legalized?

I do know that enough exists to charge and investigate Trump and Hunter Biden. ONE of the " whistle blowers" has a credible argument for IRS consistency but remember the Trump children "settled" for a money sum as well. And, while I'm good with addicts not owning firearms. 10 years seems counterproductive. Why not require regular drug tests and a new positive test triggers an automatic search for weapons? Better yet, create a list of all addicts to be given to every gun seller and owner so they won't sell addicts guns? I suspect both that would be cheaper than paying his prison costs for 10 years for 1 inmate.


The investigation may turn up enough to charge other Bidens just as investigating Trump has resulted in evidence that got his employees charged. Evidence sufficient to present to a judge is needed.

You are asking this independent who has noticed that neither party has walked on water and both seem to have memory loss when it comes to corruption within their party ranks, not to conclude that your party is too incompetent to find probable cause good enough for a judge (aka credible witnesses and/or concrete evidence) OR you don't want the door closed to using those same avenues of corruption when you are in power. Or you are so corrupt that you think everyone is too. Which is it?

I know...you insult independents regularly...the notion of actually looking at the person or issues rather than party loyalty seems impossible for you to understand.

As for me, I will remind you that you need not me but those like me to win national elections. I know you don't need ME for State or local elections anymore but I will still vote in primaries as a Republican in State and National races and sometimes in the city of Jackson as a Democrat when a really good candidate has a chance until you succeed like other States have in making me have to choose.

It's hard for me to believe race plays no role since the Republican party was THE party for non-Caucasians when I arrived here. And, it was the excess corruption in the Eastland and Stennis years that allowed the Republican party to attract enough then " young whites who were educated ' to almost get Gil Carmicheal elected while the old guard was still clinging to power.

You will never get enough white Jacksonians to vote for Kenny Stokes and damn few educated people of any race or religion.

You've given one party carte blanche again. That the worst of the worst might change parties is not a badge of honor to the honorable.

What I can't wait to see is the result of the Ole Miss and MS State folks continuing to vote in the Southern and Mississippi College folks who frankly, don't like y'all that much even when you are in the same sorority or fraternity. But, there's a difference...the old political families protected you...they wanted to be accepted by you. This new crowd HATES ELITES and just need a bit longer to takeover without you especially if you are Jewish or Catholic or have children at an " elite" college.

Heard from reliable private PE that the gentleman’s bonafides was as traffic light chief in Florida.

Maybe the Feds let him know that the hammer is fixing to drop on the Lumumba Administration!

I don't doubt that Kingfish is right about Mr. Woods wanting to avoid the confirmation process. The city council would have dug into such a sketchy employment on Woods provided by the city. In addition to saying he's a Navy veteran (without noting how long & where he served, or the rank he achieved), the city said he has been an assistant public works director in Florida for one year. Those aren't the strongest of qualifications as provided to the public.

670 words later @1:23 was found face down drown in a pool of pablum and expired ego.

1:23 Intelligent guy. Much of what you offer is pointed and thoughtful but too dang verbose. You suck all the O2 out of the room. Get in & get out.

There are 58 vacancies posted in COJ's jobs page, but Public Works Director is not one of them. Maybe it's posted on "Indeed.com." Hahahahahaha.

1:23,
Good Lord, son, get your own blog. I'm Trying to figure out if there is a point somewhere in that dissertation.

Per WLBT. The headhunter, GovHR LLC, is owed or has been paid $29,500 since they found someone and that person was appointed to the position.