Rick Whitlow (R) - Mayor
“I have lived in this city for 20 years...and raised children and paid taxes in this city, and this is not the city it was 20 years ago when I got here. I feel I am in a position where I can step up and make a difference. I hear people say, ‘why doesn't somebody step up and contribute?’ That’s what this is about."
— Rick Whitlow
Rick Whitlow's Campaign Web site.
"Watching the Watchdogs," JFP Editor's Note, April 28, 2003.
Bio
Rick Whitlow currently serves as the Director of Media for the Mississippi Department of Human Services. He has lived in Jackson for the past twenty years and reared two children, Eric, 20 and Candace, 14, here. He has served as the Executive Director for the Metro Crime Commission-SafeCity Watch and as a member of the Jackson Public School’s Strategic Core Planning Team. Read Whitlow's full bio here.
Platform
Following are the issues listed on Whitlow's campaign site and their accompanying text:
REDUCING CRIME
First, and foremost we have to honestly address the crime crisis that is challenging us. The first step in that process will be starting a nationwide search to find and hire, the best and toughest law enforcement professional to be Chief of police. Provide him with the names and contact numbers of other law enforcement counterparts in the metro area. Provide the resources, and support needed to aggressively fight crime in Jackson, turn the Chief loose, require accountable, and judge the results, not the promises. It will also not matter to me the race, gender, or political leanings of this Chief. Only that the individual selected be dedicated and serious about fighting crime.
The Police Department under my administration from the Chief on down will be given the resources and support to be about the business of reducing crime, restoring order, public confidence, and changing the perception of lawlessness.
I have seen all those crime reduction numbers that in the past year the current administration has released in an effort to convince you and your family that you are safer now than at any other time. The integrity of those numbers are bad at best. I would implement a plan where an independent agency compiled the crime statistics and let the chips fall where they may. An agency like SafeCity initiative. SafeCity initiative is an organization that the current administration ignored and would not even speak to until I was finally able to facilitate a working relationship between SafeCity and the Jackson Police Department. More aggressive action in crime reduction is needed and my administration will provide that commitment and energy to once again make Jackson a safe city. “LEADERSHIP MATTERS.”
If there is a breakdown in the criminal justice system, it will not be because the Jackson Police Department collectively failed to do it’s job. Our cards will always be face up on the table for all to see. Once the crime problem is under control, everything else will be able to fall into place. Civic pride and confidence will return just in time to accommodate economic development. “LEADERSHIP MATTERS.”
Economic Development
For the record, let me make it clear. I totally support the Jackson downtown convention center. The funding by raising taxes makes me a little uneasy, but last November’s referendum indicated that over sixty percent of citizens voting approved that funding mechanism, so it will be my job to create an environment that is condusive for the project to succeed. Regardless of what you build downtown, or anywhere else in Jackson, if people don’t feel safe going there the efforts will be fruitless. That build it and they will come field of dreams mentality will not work in an unsafe environment. Confidence in Jackson’s leadership has to be restored; and my commitment to reducing crime will not only accomplish that goal, but also send a positive message to developers and entrepreneurs that the city is once again safe, and “open for business.” Confidence in and responsiveness of leadership will also create funding mechanisms other than raising citizens taxes to start and finish projects. I don’t believe raising taxes to spur economic development is wise. Confidence in leadership will give us other options. “LEADERSHIP MATTERS.”
My administration will create a safe environment, which in turn encourages educational commitment, which then inspires entrepreneurship, economic development, and individual pride. Motivating people to do for themselves, instead of waiting for the system to do things for them. Absolutely, our city will once again be safe, and “open for business.” “LEADERSHIP MATTERS.”
We must also make ourselves available not only to the local business community, but start to think global, and market Jackson on a national, and international level. Right here in our city and state we have business development geniuses second to none waiting for an invitation to the table so they can contribute to the growth. They should not have to wait to be included, and under my administration will not have to wait. It will be very clear to business developers, big and small that a new day has dawned and the Capital City of Jackson is once again safe and “open for business.”
When elected I would also create a sports council. A cross section of citizens who place sports high on their list of quality of life issues. I would work to return Professional hockey, make sure the Jackson Senators know they have a home in Jackson with total support of the Mayors Office, and bring pre-season NBA, and NFL games to Jackson. When I worked for the Mississippi Sports Council we brought NFL games to Veterans Memorial Stadium Jets vs. Eagles 1995. Jets vs Oilers 1996. Both were successful without help from the Mayor’s office. When I am elected mayor, these kinds of projects will have support from the Mayor’s office. “LEADERSHIP MATTERS.”
I would spearhead a movement to relocate the South Western Athletic Conference offices from Birmingham, Alabama, to Jackson. I would request a meeting with the Presidents and Athletic directors at the three Mississippi HBCUs, as well as other influential SWAC supporters, and start the wheels in motion to relocate the SWAC headquarters to our city, which is the most centrally located city in the 10 school conference. This would contribute to our economy because we could then attract the conference championships to our venues. I believe we could get a lot of support for this initiative. “LEADERSHIP MATTERS.”
We have a Governor who has business contacts all over the world. Haley Barbour is respected near and far. My administration will not be too proud or stubborn to work with him to develop and maintain a strong working relationship with him. A partnership that will be mutually beneficial to the City of Jackson and the State of Mississippi.
I will work to make sure the Governor, legislature, and all people of Mississippi and the world know that Jackson is once again safe and”open for business.” LEADERSHIP MATTERS.”
Education
* I have the privilege and honor to serve on the Jackson Public School Strategic Core Planning team. I have learned more about the educational system than I ever knew existed. JPS has some outstanding professionals who are working hard to provide the best education for our children. Although in it’s early stages, and details are still being ironed out, I believe the No Child Left Behind act can, and will be successful. As with anything worthwhile, the progress is deliberate but steady and in time will prove to be the correct course to take. I plan to work with students in both public, and private schools, encourage them to work together, and get to know each other. It is important to get them to understand at an early age that they can create their own life experiences. Education, determination, and courage can shield them from being victimized by the many pitfalls of life. Encourage them to understand that life is a series of choices that have consequences. There is no substitute for education, preparation, organization, determination, and last but not least hard work. I have enormous respect and admiration for the many teachers and educators I have met. When I am elected Mayor, I will stand arm and arm with them in both public and private schools in our efforts to better educate our children.
Healthy Jackson
Not only must we educate our children’s minds. We must also educate and prepare their bodies. Physical education is very important. We will create an environment that encourages our children to get off the couch, eat better, and get active. Obesity, high-blood pressure, diabetes, and other health problems have already invaded our schools affecting some children as young as five and six. This is not acceptable. I will, by example, raise the awareness of the importance of exercising, proper diet, and healthy lifestyles. Not just for young people, but for adults as well. Surveys indicate that Mississippi is one of the most obese states in the union. That should not be the case. I will appoint a Mayor’s healthy lifestyles task force consisting of healthcare and physical fitness experts who’s goal will be to promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyles. Jackson will be on the cutting edge in efforts to improve the overall health of our city and ultimately our state. LEADERSHIP MATTERS.
Handicap Accessibility
This is an issue that is very close to my heart. My mother has both knees replaced, and has often spoke of how difficult it can be to get around. When elected Mayor I will work to raise the awareness of the plight of the physically disabled. Of course many existing accommodations are already mandated by law, but I want to be sure that we are doing everything possible to make our city accessible to the physically challenged. A lot has already been done, but there is still more to do. LEADERSHIP MATTERS.
Racial Reconciliation
There is no magic wand to wave that will heal old racial wounds and suddenly create a harmonious blending of the races. However, I believe we can have to try harder, more sincerely, and more often. During 2003-2004, I had the pleasure of meeting and working with 40 other members of our community who comprised the Leadership Jackson class of 2004 (the best and greatest class). We were a wonderful cross-section of whites, blacks, males, females, east side, west side, and everywhere in between. We connected on racial diversity and sensitivity. We pledged to each other to make a difference. Leadership Jackson class of 2004, the time has come to step up and make that difference. When elected I will call upon you to join with me to create project H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People Expand). We all know there is plenty work to be done in this racial reconciliation area. But the first step is having the will to make it better. We have the will and the courage, so let’s get started right here, right now creating an environment of racial compromise, co-operation, commitment, confidence, and last but not least a new level of trust. Project H.O.P.E. is not a policy, or strategy, but it’s a great place to start on a continuous journey.
CONTACT INFO
Committee to Elect Rick Whitlow
P.O. Box 1202
Jackson, Mississippi 39215
(601) 944-0264
COMMENTS
On April 1 Whitlow announced his support of the Guardian Angels.
That release is here:
http://www.rickwhitlowformayor.com/news_stories.php?id=27
A recent Clarion Ledger article on the Jackson Guardian Angels is here:
http://www.guardianangels.org/pdf/671.pdf
And the Guardian Angel website is here:
http://www.guardianangels.org/
Here's info on the Jackson chapter, also accessible from the Guardian website:
Jackson, MS - United States
Chapter Leader: Chris Jenning
Phone: 601.573.9695
Mobile Phone: (alt contact: Wendy Wiggs 601.906.1172)
Email Address: jackson@guardianangels.org
I'm not terribly familiar with the Guardian Angels...any one know how effective they'be been in other cities? Anybody seen them around?
Thanks, Walker. Good stuff.
I actually covered the Guardian Angels in New York when they were getting started in the East Village, and even went out on patrol with a team led by Lisa Sliwa (co-founder with husband Curtis). The truth is: the reviews were mixed. The Angels caused grave consternation for the police because they were a private "vigilante" group and, thus, not subject to the same constitutional constraints as the police, and were accused of getting in the police department's way. And my first-hand knowledge was that they would harass anyone who *looked* like they might have a joint or such.
The people who liked them tended to be the business community because they would run low-level drug dealers and peddlers off their blocks when the police were busy with other things -- or didn't have grounds to harass certain people. They didn't seem to be very effective when it came to actually fighting/preventing crime -- but they made some folks feel better. They function as public relations, as much as anything: see, we're making this block safer. They made other folks very nervous, though, including myself.
And Curtis Sliwa is very controversial in New York in his own right. But we'll have more about all that later.
I say all this having not directly covered the Angels in years, so some things might have changed. But it certainly bears more than surface scrutiny. Thanks for bringing it up.
Posted by:
ladd on Apr 03, 05 | 6:21 pm
I should also add that it was very political during that time in NYC as well -- with tug-o-wars between different policing styles, and between people who wanted neighborhoods to be different ways. That is, for many of the less-than-ethical developers, it could be an advantage to play up crime in certain neighorhoods, while buying up certain property, and even "warehousing" it, with plans to gentrify the neighborhood later (which happened in the East Village; neighborhood forces lost that one). Let's just say, I've been around the crime-as-political-instrument merry-go-round a few times already.
For at least some people, bringing in the Guardian Angels was a way to say: "look how the city has gone to hell" -- which served political purposes as much as anything else. As I recall, there were also business owners who didn't want the Angels on their block because they made it look more dangerous than perhaps it was -- and that's just not good for business. It kind of gets into the whole perception issue that we're dealing with here now, but we'll save that one, too.
And a lot of folks just didn't want their city looking like a police state with people stalking around with funny uniforms, looking like they were playing cops and robbers.
As far as studies on long-term and actual effectiveness, I need to do some research. As I said, I haven't covered the good ole Angels in a while.
Posted by:
ladd on Apr 03, 05 | 6:24 pm
This C-L article concerns the city officials' push for the Hinds County Emergency 911 Council to approve with a request of up to $8 million for an upgrade to its M/A Com. This would allow the JPD to communicate with Hinds County Sheriff's Department and "other surrounding agencies."
A sticking point is whether it's true that 88% of the JPD's equipment would remain the same, thus not requiring, by state law, getting bids for the project.
This is what Whitlow had to say about it:
"As a mayor, you need to have a working relationship with the county," Whitlow said. "You need to sit down in a position outside of a public arena and hash out things through the art of negotiations."
"As a mayor, you need to have a working relationship with the county," Whitlow said. "You need to sit down in a position outside of a public arena and hash out things through the art of negotiations."
What are the open meetings implications of doing that??
Posted by:
ladd on Apr 07, 05 | 9:21 pm
It's a little peculiar. He's also expressed this same policy of sitting down and negotiating with regards to JPS and education in general.
On the one hand it sounds very non-political and polite, but on the other hand it's sort of closed-door and very vague.
It's also a little disappointing that, according to the C-L article, Whitlow "said he doesn't know enough about the specifics of either argument to make a call," given that in this JFP piece he expressed a desire to "strengthen communication between the Jackson Police Department and other law enforcement in surrounding areas":
ìThis not just a Jackson problem. Crime does not respect boundaries,î he said. ìWe have seen in the paper where the different law enforcement agencies donít communicate. We have to do things to pull the entire metro area together.î
Since he gave that critique, seems like he'd be more opinionated about this 911 Council/JPD issue than he is.
