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It's one day and one day only folks! Come one come all. Kim and Kaz saddle up for one more ride today(Tuesday) at 5pm to talk again about Farish St. and downtown development. the "ban" has been lifted due to the importance of this issue. and PLEASE dont call in with any George Bush questions LOL....No seriously. don't :-)
COMMENTS..and Im going to definitely address LTG's "extra attention" needs to be paid to the fondren and belhaven districts comment..Ridiculous! And symptomatic of the problems in Jackson.
posted by Kamikaze on 12/11/07 at 03:30 PM
the "ban" has been lifted due to the importance of this issue.
That's hilarious. We'll be listening, Kaze.
They just didn't want to be left out of this radio-blog loop we have going over Farish-downtown development. Ha! Guess they've learned the world is bigger than WJNT!
I also love how the size of a station's reach doesn't matter anymore when you have a popular site on which to post your audio link. It harks back to the separate discussion we're having about the Web being the great equalizer between smaller publications (and other media outlets) and corporate media.
posted by ladd on 12/11/07 at 03:39 PM
Give them hell, Kaze. If this is the last ride over there, you need to shoot the place up real bad. But leave a road or bridge to make sure you can get out of town safely and without unnecessary delays. Just kidding! Are you sure you can handle Law talkin? He's not the slowest gun in town! Good Luck. I'll hang around to listen.
posted by Ray Carter on 12/11/07 at 03:53 PM
Oh he's sharp no doubt. not really trying to start anything(cuz you KNOw I don't like to start things wink wink). But I just found his statement to be mildly troubling. I wonder how many more folks feel that way. That "exclusive" type attitude is what has us where we are. and its what has Farish NOt finished IMO
posted by Kamikaze on 12/11/07 at 03:57 PM
I understand. I share your concerns. However, I think he has correctly pointed out what cities in fact wound up doing, for the most part. When I read what he wrote, I immediately thought of New Orleans and various other great cities around the country, and they way cities and their police forces seem to prioritize.
posted by Ray Carter on 12/11/07 at 04:02 PM
Exactly! And I think its time to be proactive in that regard before it fosters more of the "us" vs. "them" mentality Im seeing while dealing with this Farish issue. this city has some issues
posted by Kamikaze on 12/11/07 at 04:06 PM
I think we have to give attention to places like Fondren and Belhaven, but no more than to Farish and other places in West Jackson. I do fear that the horses in Fondren are here to appease rich white people, I admit. And it's a little odd to watch so many people think that McMillin is the answer no matter what. As I've written already, I fear the "superman" syndrome is rearing its naive little head again.
The horse is cute, though, but they had better clean up the poop he's dropping, or we're going to defeat the eco-devo purpose of a walking neighborhood.
Also, if drugs are so bad on Ridgeway Street, for instance, where's their horse?
posted by ladd on 12/11/07 at 04:18 PM
Frank was hugging mcMillan too tight for my taste after the confirmation. I don't want them to be too cozy, else crazy will still be in absolute control.
posted by Ray Carter on 12/11/07 at 04:23 PM
posted by NewJackson on 12/11/07 at 04:24 PM
And what's up with Recio being let go? I was out of town at the time it happened, but my sources are telling me Recio is the one who finally made Frank understand that Shirlene needed to go and McMillan should be hired instead. Sounds like good assistant chief police work to me. Now we got a very able and talented officer in Recio chasing little boys who don't want to go to school. What a waste of talent and resources. We could have rehired officer Showtime (without gun-toting privileges) for this truancy job and kept Recio, one of our top cops.
posted by Ray Carter on 12/11/07 at 04:31 PM
but when you have a mayor who plays the race card with both races, this happens
I agree with that, NewJack. Melton definitely plays the race card with both races, and plays them/us against each other.
It's a tightrope we all have to walk: It doesn't help any of us to pretend that race and divisions politics aren't being played every day here. At the same time, we have to be willing to call out people, even those ostensibly on the same side, you give into easy race politics designed to divide. Ultimately, that is shooting ourselves in the foot.
I happen to think Kaze is in a good position to help bridge these gaps, but the waters are treacherous, and he needs to be a tad bit more questioning of the mayor and his appointees. ;-)
posted by ladd on 12/11/07 at 04:33 PM
I think Frank is in his getting reelected mode, His names Mac sheriff to bring up his popularity, and today in the ledge he goes after Dr. Watkins JPS supt to make hisself look like he cares about truancy in JPS, and on wjtv at 5:00pm he takes cameras into a crackheads lady house and to show the public that he cares about the inner city. People dont be fooled twice.
posted by NewJackson on 12/11/07 at 04:38 PM
Somebody just called him "Cause." <giggle> He also said he would vote for Cause if he ran for office.
Lovin' it.
posted by ladd on 12/11/07 at 05:20 PM
posted by ladd on 12/11/07 at 05:54 PM
Oooo, Ben even just blamed "my friend Larry's show" for overblowing crime downtown. That's good, and he should know.
posted by ladd on 12/11/07 at 05:56 PM
Of course, Ben is quoting the stuff about downtown being one of the safest areas around -- as we've been saying for years.
Better late than never.
posted by ladd on 12/11/07 at 05:56 PM
Kinda weird how Lathon just showed up in the studio after being on the phone all that time. I appreciate that he's interested in this issue, but it does seem like he wants to dominate the dialogue. He's Melton's pick to head this committee, it seems. My chief concern about the ad hoc committee is taht it was set up by Melton, and is chaired by someone picked by Melton—so how is it going to address the problems the mayor himself has presented for Farish?
I smell agenda, even if not on the part of Cause and other committee members.
posted by ladd on 12/11/07 at 06:12 PM
"Also, if drugs are so bad on Ridgeway Street, for instance, where's their horse?"
If a law officer comes down Ridgeway Street on a horse I would think the drug dealers/criminals would leave or go inside. I don't think this would be as efficient as a normal beat officer in a patrol car...If a law officer is on a horse in or observing a crowd of law abiding citizens, I think it serves as a deterrent to criminal activity. Just like I wouldn't want to be using a horse in a high speed chase.
posted by colby on 12/11/07 at 06:23 PM
posted by ladd on 12/11/07 at 06:26 PM
Sure it's PR. But it's PR five feet above everyones head. Also, a horse is more maneuverable on sidewalks, in crowds, down alleys and so forth...Plus, almost everyone likes petting a horse. I don't know too many people who enjoy petting a police car...sorry, I had to...
posted by colby on 12/11/07 at 06:37 PM
posted by ladd on 12/11/07 at 07:02 PM
Kaze called to correct me about Lathon—Melton did not appoint him to head the committee. He was voted on by the members, and then they took it to Melton.
posted by ladd on 12/11/07 at 09:25 PM
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Dec 10, 2009 - Come enjoy a special JFP "Creative Class" martini, free munchies and lots of fellowship with fellow Jackson creatives and progressives. more