[Good] Why I Support Frank Melton

by Jeff Good
March 30, 2005

As many of you know, I am quite passionate about Jackson. For years, I have tried my best to support efforts to better our community. Most recently, I took a lot of heat for supporting the tax increase to fund the Capitol City Convention Center, but I gladly helped because I believed that it was imperative for our community experience a big “win."

We already have so many challenges facing us—shrinking population, dwindling tax base, and a city divided by economics and race - we didn’t need one more negative to overcome. Could you imagine what would have been said about Jackson if the vote would have failed? We needed a win then, and we need a win now. That is why I am making this intrusion into your e-mail in basket today – to share my feelings about the municipal elections and to invite you to an event tomorrow night on Highway 80.

On May 3rd, the Democratic primary will be held for the office of Mayor of the City of Jackson. Over the next five weeks we will see debates, watch commercials, read newspaper articles, and learn the platforms and passions of both of the candidates. I am throwing my support behind Frank Melton, the democratic candidate for Mayor of the City of Jackson. I am serving as the co-chair for his finance committee and member of his political steering committee. Frank has shown the kind of passion, intensity and truthful speaking which I feel Jacksondesperately needs in order to reverse our negative trends.

In my position on the steering committee, I have had the luxury of being around Frank Melton a great deal as we have worked the campaign trail. I can honestly say that I have never been more upbeat, excited and hopeful for our community as I am when I am in his presence. Frank brings out the best in the people he works with. He has the ability to motivate, harness and direct the passions and energies of others towards common, tangible goals and results. As Mayor, I believe Frank can stop all the in-fighting between various civic factions and channel all that negative energy into positive. I believe he can capture and amplify the power of this community … the power that comes from you and from me… the power that comes from us working together… fixing our town… increasing our quality of life… making Jackson a community of excellence to be envied by the entire tri-county area, state and region!

My support of Frank is not to diminish anyone currently in office or in positions of power and influence. Rather, I support Frank because he supports us. You, me, the guy on the corner, the little old lady in midtown… EVERYONE. And tomorrow night, Frank is going to be supporting the businesses along Highway 80 by hosting an Economic Development Rally highlighting the blight of this once vibrant, but now forgotten, commercial corridor. An invitation follows, along with a detailed press release of this event.

Please, consider joining us. Start learning the truth about the very different philosophies of the candidates for this most important office NOW… not a few days before the elections. Take 90 minutes after work Thursday and come to the Wilson Kia car dealership and hear Frank speak… you just might get as excited about Jackson’s future prospects as I am… although that will be pretty darned tough.

Thank you for this indulgence into your day, and your computer… I apologize in advance if I have caused you any consternation.

_____

Highway 80 – The Forgotten Commercial Corridor
City-Wide Economic Development Rally

WHERE: Wilson Kia Car Dealership
2131 Highway 80 West (1/2 mile East of Ellis Avenue on Highway 80)
WHEN: Thursday, March 31st 5 p.m.
WHAT: Catfish, Soft Drinks & FRANK MELTON
TICKET: Suggested Contribution $10 a person
Advance tickets can be picked up at the Melton for Mayor Campaign Office

DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE RAIN… WE HAVE FULL USE OF THE ENTIRE COMPLEX INCLUDING INSIDE!!!

Frank Melton for Mayor Campaign
555 Tombigbee (Corner of State & Tombigbee)
P.O. Box 2665 Jackson, MS 39207-2665
601.965.1309 Fax 601.965.1312 www.meltonformayor.com

Paid for by the Frank Melton for Mayor Campaign

COMMENTS

Good wrote:

I am throwing my support behind Frank Melton, the democratic candidate for Mayor of the City of Jackson.

That would be "A" democratic candidate for Mayor of Jackson. I don't think the state DNC or national party see Melton as "the" democratic candidate.

  Posted by: tortoise on Mar 30, 05 | 4:39 pm

I think we may have another ISSUE that needs to be researched. What was Melton's position on the Convention Center vote? Did he support it, and does he now that he openly expresses desire to move it from Downtown to another location yet to be developed - the LeFluer Lakes? Thanks!

  Posted by: tortoise on Mar 31, 05 | 9:54 am

You don't have to go far for that one. He told the North Jackson ladies two weeks ago, as reflected in my story on it, that he does not support the Convention Center, and that it should go "in the middle of Two Lakes." He also said that too many environmental impact studies are being done on Two Lakes and that we need to get on with it. I'll look for the exact quote on that one and post it, too. I'm not sure it was in the story.

  Posted by: ladd on Mar 31, 05 | 10:28 am

WAPT re the Convention Center appointments flag:

http://www.thejacksonchannel.com/news/4332294/detail.html

  Posted by: ladd on Mar 31, 05 | 10:54 am

I see the Mayor's point; but, he may need to try and finish getting the Board together.

  Posted by: tortoise on Mar 31, 05 | 2:00 pm

This was a question we asked of Mayor Johnson in response to a statement by Frank Melton at the Bravo breakfast that he is against the Convention Center.

JFP: Melton also says heís against the convention center, asking where we are supposed to park. He also says his dream is to put the convention center between the Two Lakes and wants to get that project going.

Mayor Johnson: "Mr. Melton is clearly going against the wishes of 66 percent of the voters of this city. The voters of this city want a convention center and they want it in downtown Jackson. As a person running for mayor of this city, one would think that he would be inclined to follow the wishes of the voters rather than the interest of special interest group who want the convention center outside of the city of Jackson.

"It also indicates a naivete when it comes to the working of government. We need a convention center now; it may take five to 10 years just to get the Two Lakes project designed and developed. It is not fair to ask the citizens of the city of Jackson who waited all these many years for a convention center, to wait another 10 years. Two Lakes is a great project, but it is going to take time for it to unfold. We need a convention center, and we need it now. People have said they want it downtown. Mr. Melton is going against the wishes of the people."

  Posted by: ladd on Mar 31, 05 | 3:47 pm

Ok, cool. Well, I mean 'not cool' for Melton to be against what so many of us wanted. I had forgetten about that quote. Thanks!

  Posted by: tortoise on Mar 31, 05 | 3:57 pm