Jackson Free Press

Mayor Frank Melton has appointed Councilman Frank Bluntson as acting mayor by executive order (PDF, 56 KB).

This morning, Council President Ben Allen confirmed that the City Clerk's Office had informed him that Melton had submitted the order. "Irrespective of anybody's feelings about who (Melton) selected, I am relieved that he did follow the law and get this hurdle behind us," Allen told the JFP.

This afternoon, Bluntson held a very brief press conference in City Hall. He read from a prepared statement, the text of which follows:

"First of all, I'm asking the community of Jackson to keep Mayor Melton and his family in your prayers during this trying time. I was notified by the city attorney that it was the mayor's request that I stand in as acting mayor during this time. In keeping with this charge that has been placed upon me, I have already met with Robert Walker about the city's pending issues. I have also requested that communication be sent to all department heads for face-to-face meetings to be scheduled as soon as possible. I've also visited with city legal to be briefed on pending legal issues of the city. … This city is much larger than the mayor or anyone who would stand in his place. At the end of the day, what matters is the unity of the city of Jackson, which is paramount to the best interests of the city and its citizens. While placed in this position, which I've been thrust, I will keep an open-door policy and be accessible to the employees and our fine citizens. Thank you for your time and support, and for being a unifying force for the city of Jackson."

Bluntson took only a few questions after reading his statement. He said he was prepared to remain acting mayor as long as he was needed. He said had not spoken to the mayor since the order was signed, and that he had not yet spoken to other City Council members.

This story has been substantially updated since it was first posted.

Previous Comments

ID

126252

Comment

Like we didn't see that one coming!

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-03-08T10:29:32-06:00

ID

126253

Comment

Mayor Mumble Blunston... OMG.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-03-08T10:52:01-06:00

ID

126254

Comment

What is interesting to me is that that executive order is dated March 4. That is on Sunday. So has Bluntson been the mayor since that time?

Author

GLewis

Date

2007-03-08T10:54:34-06:00

ID

126255

Comment

It is a 'Frank' thing and none of us will ever understand!!!!!!!!! Mr. Lewis TODAY is 'a sad day for the city of Jackson'!!!!!!!!

Author

Big Tee

Date

2007-03-08T10:58:10-06:00

ID

126256

Comment

Tyrone Lewis that is... :-)

Author

Big Tee

Date

2007-03-08T10:59:10-06:00

ID

126257

Comment

Frank Bluntson and his crew preach hate/racism every Sunday on his radio show, "Straight Talk." You think there were problems under Frank Melton's leadership, "Baby, You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet!"

Author

blu_n_a_redstate

Date

2007-03-08T11:07:18-06:00

ID

126258

Comment

Wonder if I can still sell my house and see a profit? ATL, SF, NOLA, and NYC never looked better than right now. I'd like to personally thank all the people that put money into Melton's campaign and helped smear his challengers and those that brought intelligent questions and debate to the table... You've made our city a beautiful mockery! Loud shout outs to the NJAM crew and good ol' Hickey for this mess.

Author

kaust

Date

2007-03-08T11:12:05-06:00

ID

126259

Comment

It sure looks like frankie is trying to maintain the illusion that he still somehow in control by appointing Mayor Mumbles.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-03-08T11:17:17-06:00

ID

126260

Comment

So, does 'interim' mean between now and when a new mayor is elected, or between now and when Melton is out of jail?

Author

Brent Cox

Date

2007-03-08T11:19:36-06:00

ID

126261

Comment

Knol, Don't go. Its always darkest before the dawn. If I currently had to pick between Melton and Bluntson, and only those two, I would choose Bluntson. You and I really agree about those who supported Melton. I've been compiling a list all week. We need to always remember what they have done to this City and the climb is going to be some rough going to return to sanity. One or two have apologized for their actions for awhile, but most have not. I feel they should.

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2007-03-08T11:20:05-06:00

ID

126262

Comment

A press release from the city: Mayor Exercises His Authority and Appoints Council Vice-President to Attend to Duties of His Office (Jackson, Mississippi) – Mayor Frank E. Melton executed an Executive Order on March 4th, 2007 to ensure that the City of Jackson would be in competent hands if legal matters precluded him from being able to perform as mayor. Melton has exercised his authority pursuant to Section 21-8-19 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 and in the best interest of the City of Jackson has appointed Councilman Frank Bluntson as acting mayor. As acting mayor Bluntson shall succeed to all the rights, powers and duties of the mayor. This action became effective immediately, upon the filing with the City Clerk’s Office. (Please see attached Executive Order and Statute 21-8-19)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-03-08T11:20:37-06:00

ID

126263

Comment

Well here we go again: The City is changing from dirty-hand to dirty-hand. Is my memory serving me correctly that Bluntson was the Director of the Youth Detention Center which closed secondary to the young females being sexually abused.? Didn't he take some kind of "Leave your position or be charged with abuse/neglect issues." Wasn't this his plea bargan to avoid formal charger/prosecution? What are we doing in Jackson? Is this the Yellow Brick Road leading this City to a cesspool for political disaster??

Author

justjess

Date

2007-03-08T11:23:37-06:00

ID

126264

Comment

OK, Brent, the order says 'acting'. There is a big difference between 'acting' and 'interim'. Acting indicates only temporarily unable to perform the duties.

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2007-03-08T11:24:29-06:00

ID

126265

Comment

Thanks, Chris. That clarifies.

Author

Brent Cox

Date

2007-03-08T11:28:45-06:00

ID

126266

Comment

I guess the bottom of the barrel must be reached before we can start up again. My favorite thing is that all goons must be given a chance and that is the natural order of things. They will defeat themselves by quickly reaching their level of incompetence and moral etical bankruptcy.

Author

justjess

Date

2007-03-08T11:32:28-06:00

ID

126267

Comment

Does this mean that Mayor Mumbles can cank up the RV with blue lights and guns a blazin' and go out "crime fightin'"?

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-03-08T11:35:17-06:00

ID

126268

Comment

Thanks for that point Chris. I corrected the story to reflect the language of the order. I would also remind everyone that City Council meetings are open to the public. I keep trying to convince people that democracy demands their participation, that council meetings are a thrill ride, etc. Anyway, this press conference promises to be interesting, so I encourage everyone to turn out if they can.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2007-03-08T11:37:59-06:00

ID

126269

Comment

Cliff, we already have one mayor with heart troubles. We don't need Blunston getting all worked up and having a heart attack! Has he missed a buffet in town yet?

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-03-08T11:39:18-06:00

ID

126270

Comment

Doesn't look like it.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-03-08T11:42:27-06:00

ID

126271

Comment

Great, Jackson goes from Barney (Fife or Dinosaur, take your pick) to Muttley. Neither do any good.

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2007-03-08T11:44:22-06:00

ID

126272

Comment

Justjess, according to news archives, Mr. Bluntson made a deal not to be prosecuted if he would step down. Then several weeks later he went to work in District Attorney Ed Peters' office. If I'm not mistake, Mr. Danks was his attorney. The names Bluntson, Danks, Melton and Peters have appeared together in news archives for a very long time. Here's a link to a profile of Melton I did that lays out some of this history.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-03-08T11:57:13-06:00

ID

126273

Comment

I would like to extend MY thank-you as well to all of those anti-Jacksonian's who STILL 'believe' that Melton is the Man for the City of Jackson! Are you not proud of yourselves? Frank has been systematically 'loading the deck' so to speak, working diligently to place his 'yes men' those as under-qualified as himself in key role positions within our community. Hence, we have Lewis running against McMillian, one of our city legal eagles (LOL) running against Peterson, we have a Fire Chief (Chandler) who clearly is not qualified, but obviously, just like Anderson running our Police Dept., they have both proven their lack of leadership abilities, but have routinely proven their intense loyalty to 'their' leader, and OMG we have Bluntson who is going to be running our city (more so into the ground!) Thank you to all the Melton supporters who continually delude yourselves into believing that Melton does, did, and has the City of Jackson as his 1st priority! YOU are the group, along with Melton, which prompted my husband and I to begin looking for jobs outside of this city. My husband has already left the area, in fact this very state where he lived for 40 years; I am preparing our house for sale and allowing our children to complete the school term and I am leaving also! It is a sad day when professionals who have spent their lives contributing to the community feel forced to pack up and leave because they see no end in sight for the downfall of this community! Unfortunantly, we are not the only ones who felt, and/or feel this way and have made this difficult choice!

Author

Katie D

Date

2007-03-08T12:12:33-06:00

ID

126274

Comment

You know Cliff, if Acting Mayor Bluntson really wanted to make some quick points he could even turn the Mobile Command Unit back over to our SWAT Team (if we even still have one). He could even make some changes in the Mayor's office which would certainly be beneficial to all. But, I'm just wishing!

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2007-03-08T12:15:48-06:00

ID

126275

Comment

"Chief Administrative Officer Robert Walker will oversee day-to-day operations of city departments. Melton will continue to serve as mayor and draw his paycheck, Walker said. Melton makes $120,000 a year." I don't know how to properly quote a source so someone help out here. The above statement is in today's Clarion Ledger. Correct me if I'm wrong........didn't Frank say he wasn't going to take a salary from the city? Wasn't his stance that he was going to use his salary to hire those less fortunate individuals who needed employment? Just checking

Author

The Conductor

Date

2007-03-08T12:19:04-06:00

ID

126276

Comment

Melton is nothing but a trouble maker. Was it too much for him to choose one of the competent council members, either Crisler, Ben Allen, Simon or McLemore? Frank loves chaos!!! He will now sit back and revel (from his jail cell) in the brand-new mess he has created by selecting Bluntson. Also, if Melton has so much confidence in Bluntson, why wasn't he his initial choice? As Donna informed us earlier, Ben Allen was Frank's first choice---via email.

Author

blu_n_a_redstate

Date

2007-03-08T12:35:06-06:00

ID

126277

Comment

Yep Chris, you're right. When Brian looked into the numbers on the SWAT team, it was 21 when Johnson was mayor. Now it's 13. Yeah, it would be great if Mayor Mumbles tried to do the right thing, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-03-08T12:35:37-06:00

ID

126278

Comment

Once again frankie, we ask...

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-03-08T12:44:46-06:00

ID

126279

Comment

Here's a photo of one of his TOEJAM supporters afetr seeing this mornings' paper.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-03-08T12:49:52-06:00

ID

126280

Comment

Knol in my opinion there was no other option at the time Frank was elected. However, I'm sure the Johnson followers won't agree and that's fine. I agree that we made this mess of the city. However, Frank is very much still in control of this city. Why else would he select Bluntson? He's a front man, just as others have been front men for Frank. To all of you who hate on the folks who in search for a better day, bought into the Frank plan initially, I apologize for falling victim to his obvious wreckless nature....I am completely embarassed to be a Jacksonian right now. You're right we have become MORE OF A MOCKERY THAN WE WERE (AND YES WE WERE) BEFORE MELTON. I concur. However, as I have seen the light, there are others. So, no need to keep bashing us with your words of tourment, Frank does that enough for everyone. And who ever said they were selling their home and moving away, get in line baby! i'm so outta here, last year can't move faster than me. You know why...cuz the worse is yet to come.....this man is going to break and when he does, it's all gonna come tumbling down. I'll be in a highrise in ATL sipping on a coctail....

Author

Queen601

Date

2007-03-08T12:52:50-06:00

ID

126281

Comment

If I'm not mistaken, I believe FM decided to take the $120,000/year when he discovered if he did not, he would have to pay state retirement, health insurance, FICA, etc. out of his own pocket. Also, regarding health insurance, did the City insurance have to pay for St. Dominic's extra days? Reckon so since they can't tell us what all they were doing. If it was just chest pains, most mortals would have been discharged with a monitor. Oh, Well. Here we go.

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2007-03-08T12:55:48-06:00

ID

126282

Comment

"...in my opinion there was no other option at the time Frank was elected." I'm not a follower of anybody, but Johnson was clearly a better option than Melton then AND now. That quit being debatable around July of '05.

Author

millhouse

Date

2007-03-08T13:17:50-06:00

ID

126283

Comment

totally agree with you millhouse, but you couldn't convince some, or most of the folks that melton was not the one for the job. then just when you thought it couldn't get any worse!!!!!!!! at least it's only three of them who will be voting together (Blunston, Tillman and Stokes) and that's certainly not a majority.

Author

notme

Date

2007-03-08T13:56:39-06:00

ID

126284

Comment

Queen, want to share a loft? ;-)

Author

kaust

Date

2007-03-08T13:58:28-06:00

ID

126285

Comment

Thanks Donna. I really appreciate the JFP and your ability to inform. the public which is the true objective of a journalist.

Author

justjess

Date

2007-03-08T14:24:53-06:00

ID

126286

Comment

Katie D. , my heart bleeds just reading your entry about leaving your home and the City. Also, just the fact that your spouse has already left the City. This is entirely too much power for an empty wagon like melton. I understand fully what you are experiencing. I only wish that more people in this community had awakened sooner and maybe, collectively, we could have done something. Keep us informed with your post. I have always enjoyed reading your entries. Best of luch to you and your family. I have seriously through about selling my home and moving to another section of the World. If anyone had told me in the 60s that I would be involved in this kind of dialog in 2007, I would not believe them.

Author

justjess

Date

2007-03-08T14:42:11-06:00

ID

126287

Comment

Well, that was short and sweet.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-03-08T18:30:48-06:00