JSU’s Ronald Mason: Gee Whiz, I’m Sorry

Adam Lynch

Ronald Mason speaks to irate residents at a Washington Addition Neighborhood Association meeting.

by Adam Lynch
April 2, 2008

Jackson State University President Ronald_Mason Jr. was full of apologies regarding the university’s recent failed attempt to push an eminent-domain “quick-take” bill through the Mississippi Legislature. The bill would have allowed the JSU Development Foundation to claim property for the school’s expansion over a 50-acre area. Legislators like Sen. Alice Harden and Rep. Alyce Clarke, both of Jackson, helped kill the bill after protesters swamped their offices.

Mason called the quick-take bill “probably one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made,” before the audience at a Washington Addition Neighborhood Association meeting Monday night, and thereafter referred to the quick-take bill as “that bill that will not be named.”

The audience of about 80 remained suspicious, despite Mason’s announcement. Some members pointed out that Jackson businessman Leland Speed—apparently a divisive figure among Washington Addition residents—is on the board of a JSU non-profit that pushed for the quick-take legislation.

“Leland Speed is on board,” said one audience member, “[W]hy are you shilling for these people?”

“Jackson State Development Foundation is the fund-raising arm for Jackson State. Leland Speed is the chair. Why is he chair? Because he’s been helping us raise money,” Mason told the audience. “You think after working 35 years with black folks and black institutions that I’m stupid enough to be a (shill) for somebody else? I mean, come on, give me a break.”

Mason pointed out that the university has no plan to put such requests to the JRA during Phase 1 of the University Park Project, which could span more than a decade.

Though the quick-take issue is dead, homeowners told Mason he “caused a lot of people a lot of stress.” Mason appeared unable to disarm the suspicion with continued assurances that eminent domain was no longer on the table.

“Look, I’m not even saying the representatives of the area were wrong to fight (quick-take),” he said. “Hell, if I was a homeowner, I would have fought it too. It was a bad thing. It was a stupid thing. It was a mistake, and I apologize. Now what? Do we go from here?”

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