The Jackson City Council approved Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumbumba's request to award a no-bid $400,000 contract for garbage pick-up at right of ways in March.
The Council approved a contract with New Way Mississippi, Inc. on March 18. Council members Virgi Lindsey, Aaron Banks, Brian Grizzell, and Wanda Clay voted for the contract while Kenneth Stokes, Ashby Foote, and Vernon Hartley voted against it. The contract term is for one year and can be renewed.
The contract term is for one year. New Way's website describes the company as:
a nonprofit organization that offers transitional housing programs and other resources for formerly incarcerated citizens. Since 1998, we have been assisting various individuals who want to stay out of prison and lead better lives.
Larry Perry is President of the company.
JJ obtained the record of payments through a public records request:
The total amount paid is $174,936.
The city did not issue a request for proposal or quotes. New Way's contract to provide similar services expired at the end of February. Councilmen Foote and Hartley inquired when they could expect such clean-up to take place in their wards as they are strewn with trash.
The Council approved the contract on March 18. Mr. Stokes heatedly attacked the contract. City Attorney Drew Martin said the next administration could cancel the contract. A public works employe said there are 286 of right-of-way miles in Jackson.
Mr. Foote criticized the administration for not soliciting bids for the contract but only found support from Hartley. Hizzoner said the city pays engineers more all the time without issuing RFP's. (That's covered by the professional services exemption.).
Lumumba co-defendant Aaron Banks justified the contract. He said New Way was the only company who performed such work while providing work opportunities for inmates. Mayor Lumumba said New Way was a partner of MDOC in hiring inmates.
Mr. Perry did not attend the meeting.
11 comments:
Chowke, the gift who keeps on giving, along with his partners in crime Virgi Lindsey, Aaron Banks, Brian Grizzell, and Wanda Clay.
The only company... there is supposed to be documentation for sole-source-justification on record. Where is it? More bullshit out of the Ludumbass camp.
Someone from the city council should introduce a motion to provide funds to the Locke Ward and the Urban Landscapers who have been taken it upon themselves to clean up parts of Jackson. The work they have done has been more than just picking up litter.
I can't say whether they've done any work but, did they submit work performance reports when they submitted invoices? If not, how many people are actually employed? Do these people receive all of the money paid for their work or a portion? If a portion, what percentage? Do they work in exchange for housing and food? Who are the "inmates" that are being helped? Is there a list of names? If not, why not? The questions are racing through my mind.
Someone from the city council should make a motion to provide funds to Locke Ward and the Urban Landscapers for the work they have done and continue to do for the city. Their work is much more encompassing than just picking up litter per the New Way contract.
I wonder why there are so many (used to be) nice homes for sale at bargain prices in northeast Jackson?
Well this company certainly has not been very effective.
Does the city check to see if they doing
the job?
The Shok-Way regime continues to strike from afar-
What kind of snake will the current Mayor call this now that the rock has been overturned?
Why are we paying post-incarcerated inmates to pick up trash instead of having currently incarcerated inmates doing it for free? Probably not enough kick back for Chokwe.
Post a Comment