[Breaking] Citizens to Challenge Melton's Qualifications

BTW, this press release about challenging Melton came from Laveree Jones.

Wonder what it is?

I think it has to do with residency issues, but that's early returns. I'll know when Adam gets back. I'll get him to post an update when we know for sure.

Wonder who put them up to it? :)

The vast left-wing conspiracy, no doubt.

;-D

I didn't realize the left-wingers had built up their conspiracy since the election. I thought it was only the boys on the right who'd done their homework. Nice to see the lefty's back in the game! :D

WLBT has a story up on it.

http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=3166513

Sounds like even the legality/illegality of the exemption papers is in question.
Hmm..

Lacking anything else now, I'd say someone is playing with FUD. Even if it's shot down, it'll work to derail Melton. Which would be a shame.

I prefer vast left-wing cabal. And if this is all the cabal can come up with, well, I think it's a bit early to say lefty's back in the game.

Seems like a lot of smoke; but, it does just raise more questions about Melton's credibility and judgement. What's funny is when Bush would make similar claims about Kerry, the typical Meltonite supporter loved it! But, now that the tables are turned they look as crazy as the "anybody but Bush" crowd.

tortoise, I'm noticing something very similar... Many Melton supporters I've been interacting with were very pro-Bush and very anti-Kerry. They railed the ABBs without regard and often pointed fingers and made snide remarks about the individual ABBs and Kerry, in general... They also challenged the ABBs for specifics and data but do not feel they should have to provide the same for Melton or Whitlow.

Well, I've noticed that when I challenge them (pro-Melton, anti-ABBs), they now feel data and statistics supporting their stance is not necessary and the rules and regulations they established in the last election to determine a credible opponent do not apply. They also feel that "change" is good when that "change" was not good when it involved Kerry or anybody but Bush.

The anti-Johnson gangs also rant and rave about the murders of innocent Jacksonians and how Johnson should be held accountable... But when you point out that well over 3000 people died on 9/11 under Bush's watch by a "gang" of terrorists, Bush is not to be held accountable.

There's a stench of hypocrisy in the air...

Kudos to JFP for having the whole residency/roots question weeks ago in the Truth Watch!

How interesting that a man who decided to pay taxes on his place of residence in Jackson is now challenged because he chose to see about not paying taxes in Texas. Would sound more like a challenge in Texas were he running there. Word on the street is Harvey's latest poll shows he's behind and good PR sense would mean to raise issues that personally attack Melton because Harvey cannot defend his record.

Heck Harveys camp last night on TV said they were only going to do one debate. If his record is so steller, why not accept all of the TV debates? Who cares if Melton is there.

It's a matter of election law, JP. Where is Melton's legal residence? He cannot run if his legal residence is not in Jackson.

Right now I don't have a dog in this hunt, haven't decided but so far not impressed with any candidate. But I do want my next mayor to have a legal residence in the city.

I mean this isn't a run for Congress! I'm just sayin.

Help me out, GDI....I do try to read as much as I can and have, like Ladd, become a bit disillusioned with "party" affiliation.

Is Homestead Exemption an absolute must to declare residency? What about those who live in apartments and register to vote? They must show some proof of residency and if they don't have homestead exemption, how does one show proof?

Please link or copy to the election law that says that ones residency is determined exclusively by homestead exemption. I like reading and this will help.

FACTCHECK moment: Which polls, JPF? Provide a source for a statement like that. The Melton campaign won't give any details about polls, other than numbers that sound a bit inflated, at least to the laywoman's ear.

Otherwise, we're going to hold our story back on this until tomorrow's print edition. It has more in it than you've seen thus far, so keep an eye out.

I'll see what I can find out...I do like reading and I do talk to people and if I can get a name for you to call I certainly will.

But while I'm on for a moment, this whole issue of homestead exemption and that being the deciding piece of information that determines residency does make me curious. I'm calling the AGs office myself because I go back to the apartment resident question. If I live in an apartment, have a state of Mississippi driver's license, pay taxes...but don't have homestead exemption...can I not run for political office? Heck...for that matter, should I not be able to vote because I can't prove residency since I don't have homestead exemption?

Help???

Ledge story today:

Jackson Democratic officials said Monday they'll seek legal advice to see if Frank Melton can stay in the mayor's race.

Since Melton does not file a homestead exemption in Mississippi, one challenger said, it is grounds for disqualification.

The homestead exemption, filed as a part of federal taxes, has strong precedent for determining where a candidate lives, but it is not conclusive, according to a Mississippi Supreme Court ruling.

Melton, who has lived in Jackson 18 years, said he files his exemption on his Tyler, Texas, home.

JPF, I'm no expert on it, yet, but there is Mississippi Supreme Court precedent for this apparently. I suppose it makes sense that the courts would have already had some say in what qualifies a candidate to run in a certain place. This is a mayor's race; I can see the citizens' compelling interest in knowing where a candidate lives, files taxes, etc. That part seems rather obvious to me, although I don't know how it shakes out in this case, yet. And note that a huge issue seems to be over whether Melton lied about filing weeks ago. Honesty to his own party, and the public, seems to be important to check into as well. So I don't think it's FUD; these are important issues to resolve, whether for or against Mr. Melton.

More to come on it all Wednesday. Hang tight.

I've called the AGs office to ask for the specific code section of the election law...to read it.

I guess I still ask the same question and will of the AGs office....if I live in an apartment, am I disqualified from running for public office because I do not have homestead exemption?

Also, we all know that Melton's staunchest supporters would be all over homestead exemption/qualification to run if the situation were reversed (just like Dems would have impeached a Republican Bill Clinton. And rightly). We could probably just stipulate that his supporters are going to lambaste this, and his critics are going to be all over it. None of that really matters, though. What matters it the truth and the law. That's the part we should all focus on.

Good, JPF. Thanks. Post some of it, or a link, quickly if you can.

And, yes, ask that question, too, and report back.

Melton campaign response:

In a regularly scheduled Democratic Municipal Election meeting tonight, allegations were brought up concerning the residency of Jackson mayoral candidate Frank Melton. Sarah OíReilly-Evans, co-chair and legal council of the Melton campaign, attended the meeting. ìThe law specifically states that there is a ten-day period of time following the qualifying of a candidate in which challenges can be made. The candidate must receive a two-day notice of a hearing in order to respond.î OíReilly-Evans stated that the notice was never made, and that the candidate never received a copy of the complaint.î

The issue stems around the fact the Melton applied for homestead exemption on a home he owns in Texas. Jim Rice and Lavery Jones filed the complaint with the Democratic committee, and asked for the committee to reconsider Meltonís qualifications.

ìI spoke with the attorney generalís office prior to the meeting and was told that there is a reason for the quick turnaround for such a protest,î said OíReilly-Evans. ìI was also told that homestead exemption is not the exclusive determiner of qualifying to run.î Melton served as director of a state agency (Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics) and now serves on a state board, both of which require state residency.

A committee member questioned whether Meltonís response the night they were certifying candidates a few weeks ago as to whether he paid homestead exemption. ìI cannot respond to what Mr. Melton said at that hearing, because I wasnít there,î said OíReilly-Evans.

The committee voted to table the complaint and will request an attorney generalís decision.

ìAs the campaign enters its final month, this is just a last-ditch effort by the Johnson camp. This is a frivolous complaint to try to take away from the real issues of the campaign.î

BTW, thanks for the kudos, GDI. But I must say that being curious about where a candidate, and his wife, live is simply journalism 101. It was talking to his sister-in-law, brought in to do his press from Texas, that raised my curiosity. No large feat, I assume you, but thanks.

... I ASSURE you ... (sorry)

Also, in case others missed that Feb. 16 Truth Watch thread, it's called "Melton's Roots in Jackson."

It's a matter of election law, JP. Where is Melton's legal residence? He cannot run if his legal residence is not in Jackson.

His legal residence has always been in Texas. He's just a modern day vigilante that Jackson officials fail to out on the spot.

BUT, if Melton wins you can bet he'll have a house out in Madison
(not Jackson) in no time.

Besides the homestead exemption and his property taxes, I think another question may be where his Income Taxes were paid, and where did his personal income get reported? Did he pay personal (not corp.) income taxes to MS or to TX, both? That would designate where he really considers his home. Maybe not leagally, but as a tax payer it would! Anyone who owns property in any state is going to pay property taxes. Any of y'all have hunting camps or condos in AL, FL, etc.? You wouldn't call yourself an Alabama resident, even if you lived there 8 months of the year. Home is home!

Homestead exemption is not the sole determiner, JP, as many have already pointed out to you. In cases of renters, of course you can register and even run for election. But Mississippi courts have more often then not used homestead exemption to determine legal residence when a candidtae or voter files in one locale but offers his/her candidacy or vote in another or in essence claiming two separate legal residences.

Ladd, it may be a case of "journalism 101" but JFP seems to have scooped C-L, JxnA, NSS and the other journailsitc outlets.

[i]man, my spelling sux today...{/i]

Ladd, it may be a case of "journalism 101" but JFP seems to have scooped C-L, JxnA, NSS and the other journailsitc outlets.

I know, GDI. Not to be obnoxious, but it's a dubious honor. The bar is so damn low. Has the Ledge even started covering the campaign, yet? Will they ever delve into real issues? Will they ever check into what the candidates are saying to see what's true and what isn't? I wish they'd all make us work harder for our scoops. The city would be a better place if so.

Just sayin'.

Well, the Ledge has covered the ward debates and JxnAdvocate and North Side Sun have made their endorsements...
OOPS! Sorry! I mean't have made their NON-endorsements...

ÖsayinÖ

I can tell you who the Ledge will pick for Mayor. Any takers? :D

It also bears noting, in my view, that you would think local media would give the city elections at least as much coverage as they have Jackson crime over the last couple years, eh? Wouldn't that qualify as some sort of "balance"?

Just ... well, you know.

You'd think they'd be concerned about the Mayor's race. Lord knows enough people are.

True. But now they got themselves a big controversy to splash all over the place. The Ledge might even send Jerry Mitchell to Tyler, Texas. Of course, had they actually cared about Melton's Jackson roots, they could have done that a while ago. But, no, it all has to become the poster issue of the day four weeks before the election, allowing the other media cover for not actually looking at what matters: the facts, the how and what will it cost to do the things the candidates promise.

Once again, issues will get lost in all this, I promise. For the record, I could have done a lot more on this homestead exemption stuff and Tyler-v.-Jackson than I have. I decided that issues are more important at this juncture. So I didn't put all our paltry resources in that basket once we initially raised the question of Melton's roots for folks to talk about.

But that's just me, I suppose.

Here's WAPT's story on this controversy today. Note the end:

There might not be any Democratic candidate if Melton wins the May 3 primary election and then is disqualified.

In that case, Republican challenger Rick Whitlow would have the race locked up before the June 7 general election.

You know, I really just thought about this possibility: Republicans get whole-hog behind Melton, helping him win the primary and then challenges him, and Whitlow wins by default! WOW. What a scheme that would be. Surely not, though. Not even Republicans are that cagey, are they?

Just to toss this out regarding some of the points raised earlier -- Texas doesn't have an income tax (or didn't the last I checked and I doubt that the Bush and Bush Lite administrations since have gotten one passed ;-) so it would certainly be advantageous to receive your income in Texas if you could. Somehow I doubt Melton would have been able to draw a check from the state of Mississippi as a resident of Texas, but I supposed odder things have happened. :-)

I'm not a tax accountant (God forbid) but it's worth noting that a homestead exemption is not designed to be about taxes as much as it is about attachment and bankruptcy -- states allow you to exempt a certain portion of your "homestead" from the reach of creditors if you ever find yourself in a bankruptcy court. Many states, of course, also exempt certain property taxes when you file for a homestead exemption, so much so that people tend to thing of homestead exemption as a tax break.

Some states, like Mississippi, offer a homestead exemption that's loosely based on what a bankrupt person might reasonably expect to maintain in home equity -- something around $75,000. In other words, the state says if we take "everything" from you, you can keep a home worth that much. In states like Texas and Florida, there's an unlimited homestead exemption (as there are in traditional farming states like Iowa and Kansas), so you can put a great deal of your worth into a home (or ranch or farm) and shelter it there, which was one reason Ken Lay thought he was in the clear with a $7 million Houston apartment.

I think if Melton were to get in trouble with the spirit of any law, here, it would be in Texas regarding his (continuing?) Texas exemption. It appears that he's been getting it while a legal resident of Mississippi, which would seem to go against what the Texas state website has to say about it in their FAQ:

Q: May I continue to receive the residence homestead exemption on my home if I temporary move away?

A: If you temporarily move away from your home, you may continue to receive the exemption if you do not establish a principal residence elsewhere, you intend to return to the home, and you are away less than two years. You may continue to receive the exemption if you do not occupy the residence for more than two years only if you are in military service or live in a facility providing services related to health, infirmity or aging from the two-year period.

Now, perhaps his home in Texas is owned by his wife or their joint ownership and her residency fulfills Texas law -- I don't know. As I mentioned, I'm not a tax accountant. :-)

Here's the Texas link I was working from:

http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax/exmptns.html

I just watched WAPT's 6 p.m. report on this. (BTW, did you know they call their election coverage "Commitment 2005"? WTF?)

Anyway, one common omission in these stories -- all that I've seen/heard so far -- is that Melton's family LIVES in Texas. His wife is not mentioned anywhere here. Nor the fact that she has never lived in Jackson and that she brought the kids up there. They're all talking about his home there as if it were a little vacation home on Nantucket or something. Does this strike anyone else as odd?

Again, I don't know much any of this is ultimately worth, but isn't it odd to whitewash, or overlook, the fact that we are talking about his family home in Tyler? I certainly don't understand why WAPT or WJTV or the Ledge wouldn't mention this fact; at least WLBT has an excuse. Where's the journalism here? Reporting the facts don't mean you're endorsing a certain candidate; it means you're letting the chips fall where they may.

Maybe those reporters are afraid of getting verbally jumped by angry Melton supporters, too, for simply reporting facts and asking pertinent questions. I dunno. It's weird, really.

Ouch. Interesting one, Todd. It sounds like his bigger problems, legally speaking, could be in the Lone Star State.

I now know more about homestead exemption than I ever thought I would. ;-)

According to the Hinds County Real Property Billing Roll, his home here on Carters Grove is registered under both his and his wife's name (Melton Frank E. & Ellen). Carolyn Redd told me in February that Ellen, her sister, has never lived in Jackson, and that Melton has commuted back and forth to visit for more than 20 years.

(Local media are now saying he's lived here for 18 years, BTW, which doesn't quite match up with what people have told me, but I'll ask him.)

Well, I was just listening to Kim Wade's show on 1180AM, and they were weighing in on the Melton residency issue. One of the last calls was somebody named Mark Higginbothem (??) who said he was with the Melton campaign. I know the last name is right; but, may of missed his first name. He brushed aside the residency issue by claiming it was a last ditch effort by the Mayor's campaign. Typical stuff....

But, then he went "Bagdad Bob" on the audience and started claiming; I'm paraphrasing here, ìwe have polling 'fig - Urs' that show Melton with a THREE DIGIT LEAD!" Then he added that if the Mayor wants to start talking houses, it needs to be pointed out that his daughter "is much too young, 'economically' to be owning the house she is in out in Madison," and that he got for her.

I don't listen to Kim Wade too much but this was surreal how he just launched into this bizarre diatribe about the Mayor's daughter! And, the 100% lead in the polls is the BEST LINE YET! Someone needs to get a hold of the tape from the show and double check what I posted. Donít know much about the Mayorís daughter; but, I think the Melton campaign has sunk to a new low to be jumping on the Mayorís daughter like that. Definitely, this is a need to know more topic!

Goodness. Now what's wrong with helping your daughter buy a house in Madison? Did I miss something here? Is this, too, part of the "vast left-wing conspiracy"? ;-)

Those boys. ;-)

Now let's factcheck for good form: Does the mayor's daughter live in and/or own a house in Madison.

And the three-digit lead thing is remarkable. I think you can buy tapes of the shows; we did when Wade was saying that JFP-ers were going to hell (I paraphrase slightly). Go request one if you can and bring it on by the JFP office.

BTW, I believe Higginbockam (sp?) is pretty high up in the campaign hierarchy, but I'll have to check.

We just confirmed that Mayor Johnson's daughter lives in Jackson.

It was the same thing on the radio show. They all thought his home in Texas was a second home and Kim never ever corrected them, just nodded along. I think Mr. Wade is in real estate, so you would think he would know!

Todd, that is some heavy legal stuff there, couple that with the video of Frank at a deposition in 2002 saying he lived in Tyler, TX it is clear that he is not truely a Jacksonian by law. He may think he is at heart, and I'll give him the credit for all the hard work he has done in Jackson. But, that doesn't circumvent the law.

Here's the latest WLBT story:

Money quote"
Mayor Johnson†said,"I think the question that needs to be addressed is what other misrepresentations are being made, have been made, will be made in order for him to win this office." Melton replied,"I own the home,†I pay city taxes and truth is†I pay more in taxes than they make in their lives."

Gulp.

Here's the Associated Press story, headlined:

"Mayor's race in Jackson takes unexpected twist"

OK, first anyone with their ear to the ground in Jackson knows this wasn't an "unexpected twist." When a mayoral candidate lives in two states, and his family lives in a different one, this is sure to come up. Duh.

Then:
"In Mississippi, homestead exemption has been considered by the courts as means of establishing residency. Melton has lived in Jackson for 18 years, but he said he files an exemption on a home in Tyler, Texas. Melton is a former television executive who lived in Texas before coming to Mississippi."

All the mass media are following the same narrative here: He used to live in Texas, then he moved here and kept a second home there. Why no mention of his family and the commuting in the jet? Does this make sense? After all, you can get him to respond to it and then let people decide whether it matters. Again, I don't know if it does. It's just a peculiar situation for a mayor. And, usually, mass media love man-bites-dog peculiarities. Why not here?

Another potential problem, it seems, is whether that 10-day grace period for complaining counts if he was dishonest to the commission about the homestead exemption:

Sarah O'Reilly-Evans, an attorney for Melton's campaign, said state law allows a challenge to a candidate only in the 10 days after the qualification deadline. The deadline was March 4.

But how could a complaint be filed if no one knew he wasn't being forthright? It seems like that's probably one of the questions this case will hinge on: what happens if a candidate misrepresents something like this to the committee?

And it's important to remember that this is a Democratic Party issue as much as anything else, at this point. It's the party who certified him to run in their primary. And it sounds like their concern could be legitimate that he could be disqualified after winning the Democratic primary. That certainly shows why they would be concerned about this problem:

All very fascinating. One does wonder if it would have gone this far had the mass media done a better job sooner. Oh, well.

Seems like the Melton camp is going negative on all front. The radio, the web (check out the C-L forum), newsprint, etc.

Gulp is right!

It is sad, and I am glad that the Mayor has tried to stay positive throughout all of this.

Negative is as negative does.

;-)

Took a peak at the Ledge forums. Whoa, they are getting ugly. I'd hate to be the admin on that one. I guess the Ledge doesn't mind the Meltonians signing on there and accusing me of giving "in-kind advertising" to the Johnson campaign. Hmmm. I think some Melton supporters, at least, did not think that one real question would be asked of their candidate, no matter what accusations he's putting out. And they seem to have decided that the way to combat questions is to accuse the questioner of (a) working for the Johnson campaign, (b) working for the Johnson campaign or, well, (c) working for the Johnson campaign.

It's just goofy. Talk about FUD.

They are letting a lot of things go by! :-(

You do you mean?

Todd, that is some heavy legal stuff there, couple that with the video of Frank at a deposition in 2002 saying he lived in Tyler, TX it is clear that he is not truely a Jacksonian by law. He may think he is at heart, and I'll give him the credit for all the hard work he has done in Jackson. But, that doesn't circumvent the law.

That's not exactly my read, at least as far as the legal issues. I think it's perfectly possible to be a resident in Jackson and take an inappropriate homestead exemption in Texas. Depending on the way that Melton and his wife own their homes (their home here is in both their names, at least on the country roles), then I would guess he has a bigger legal problem in Texas than here. But that wouldn't necessarily affect his residency in Mississippi if he's paying income taxes here and such.

Now, if he lied to the Democratic Party here when asked the question about his homestead exemption, that's at the very least a Party problem. I don't know how "the law" intermingles with a party's right to take him on or off a primary ballot, but if anything was going to happen to Melton in Mississippi in the short-run, my guess would be action taken by the Dems.

Also, to add to what I said about FUD: the good news is that there seems to be about seven angry guys out there, using different names, saying the really ugly stuff. I've been around this block; you can tell by the words they routinely mispell and such. One of the worst ones is someone who used to post here under several names: one his real name under which he tried to act intelligent and relatively polite, and his other nasty ones. That person is on Lange's blog anonymously using some of the exact same phrasings I've seen here before I booted him for spamming our membership with ugly e-mails. Glad he's finding a more accommodating home. ;-)

So, you do have to consider the source on this stuff, and stay focused on the issues and real conversation. And people always attack strengths -- that is, I'm thrilled to see how obsessed Lange's gang is with the JFP. It means we're doing what we're supposed to be doing when folks like that bash you all the time -- much as you don't need to look at the car wreck very often. We're fortunate to have a crowd here focused on the big picture and who get a giggle out of these attempts to belittle us. But it doesn't mean it's pretty.

And, again, I will say it for the record: Melton has been a perfect gentleman to me so far and a delight to talk with. I haven't seen evidence of him stooping to any of this ugliness being done on his behalf.

Todd's point is good, I think. That's the way I read it so far, too -- that it's a party issue to date (although one that voters should be fully aware of for their own consideration). It's perhaps the problem with running as a member of a party you don't like and criticize in public, as Melton did to the ladies of North Jackson. They won't be as likely to give you a pass on fibbing to them about qualifications. And I do see the concern about Melton potentially being disqualified after winning if his residency isn't in order. But it sounds like lots of folks should have thought of that a while back and made sure that couldn't happen.

It is also worth noting that Melton told the ladies of North Jackson that he voted for Bush and that he's a friend of his from Texas -- this might not exactly ingratiate the party to Melton's side under the circumstances.

Now, how would that happen? Do they mean that the Republicans could challenge in a court of law, so that their candidate would win by default? That sounds like what they were worrying about at the meeting last night, as reported. (I wasn't there, but Adam was.) That seems like a legitimate concern for the party to me, especially if there are any other issues that could put Melton's residency in jeopardy that the GOP might bring up then. I'd hope they wouldn't plan to do something like this, but I suppose it's not outside the realm of possibility in a Karl Rove kind of conniving world. That's kind of a scary thought. And a lot of Republicans do consider Melton a "loose cannon" as Wyatt Emmerich calls him; maybe a Whitlow in office would make them feel much easier about life in Jackson. All speculation, of course. But it does make the mind spin a bit.

All intriguing.

Here's more on the Texas end of the controversy:

The Smith County, Texas, Appraisal District Web site says the following about homestead exemption there:

You must own your home on January 1.

Your homestead can be a separate structure, condominium or a mobile home located on leased land, as long as you own it. Your homestead can include up to 20 acres if the land is used as your yard.

A residence may be owned by an individual through an interest in a qualifying beneficial trust and may be occupied by a trustor of a qualifying trust.

You must use the home as your principal residence on January 1.

If you have more than one house, you can only get exemptions for your main or principal residence.

If you temporarily move away from your home, you can still get an exemption if you don't establish another principal residence and you intend to return. For instance, if you enter a nursing home, your home still qualifies as your homestead if you intend to return.

Renting part of your home or using part of it for a business doesn't disqualify the rest of your home for the exemption.

Note: Texas has two distinct laws for designating a homestead. The Texas Tax Code offers homeowners a way to apply for homestead exemptions to reduce local property taxes. The TexasProperty Code allows homeowners to designate their homesteads to protect them from a forced sale to satisfy creditors. This law doesn't protect homeowners from tax foreclosure sales of their homes for delinquent taxes.

I meant the "law" in the party sense. Thanks, for pointing that out, it did mess up my meaning. I don't think he has done anything illegal. But, Todd brings up good points.

The C-L is letting so many good issues go by without any in depth facts. The angry jackson club has been hammering that board for awhile; yet, to no avail. And, their actions are very sad. But, the paper is like a non-player in this debate and that is really sad.

My take on that, tortoise, is that they need to choose. That is, if they are going to beat up all the emotion over "perception-gate" taking out-of-context quotes about Jackson and hammering them incessantly in editorials and on the front page of their statewide newspaper, the least they could do for us Jacksonians is put some resources into covering this election in a civic kind of way. Instead, they put up forums so people can beat each other up, but then put very few facts out there for anyone to talk about. We let y'all have at each other -- within reason -- but we do try to work hard and give you something to talk about.

It's pitiful. And, for the record, I wouldn't allow any blogger to come on here anonymously and say that a particular person who works for The Clarion-Ledger is unethical or allege that their publisher is giving advertising to a political candidate. (whistles in disbelief)

Here we believe in evidence, and not in unsubstantiated attacks on people's character and livelihood. Opinion is one thing; blatant slander based on made-up sh*t is another.

Haven't been following this thread real closely because I didn't think the homestead issue would turn out to be newsworthy, but...damn. And can we all agree that the Democratic primary-winner getting disqualified after the filing deadline is just about the only way a Republican could win in this town? (I mean, poor Rick Whitlow--a great candidate, and even the Republicans aren't paying attention to him.)

FWIW, I wouldn't blame the C-L for the state of its online forums. While we all know what a deep and provocative place it can sometimes be, it basically looks like what would happen if you gave a bunch of bored, undisciplined 14-year-olds access to what they think is a widely-read public forum. It'd be nice if the moderators worried about, you know, libel, but it looks like the death threats are keeping them busy.


Cheers,

TH

Well, that didn't work.

Let's try again:

Haven't been following this thread real closely because I didn't think the homestead issue would turn out to be newsworthy, but...damn. And can we all agree that the Democratic primary-winner getting disqualified after the filing deadline is just about the only way a Republican could win in this town? (I mean, poor Rick Whitlow--a great candidate, and even the Republicans aren't paying attention to him.)

FWIW, I wouldn't blame the C-L for the state of its online forums. While we all know what a deep and provocative place it can sometimes be, it basically looks like what would happen if you gave a bunch of bored, undisciplined 14-year-olds access to what they think is a widely-read public forum. It'd be nice if the moderators worried about, you know, libel, but it looks like the death threats are keeping them busy.


Cheers,

TH

Another factoid on the homestead controversy:

Both Frank and Ellen Melton are listed on the Smith County Appraisal form claiming homestead exemption on their Flint, Texas, home, which they signed on Jan. 25, 1997 (last homestead exemption filed). They had to check the box that says it is their residence homestead. At the bottom of the form, it says:

"Under Texas Penal Code, Section 37.10, if you make a false statement on this application you could receive a jail term of up to 1 year and a fine up to $3,000, or community correctional facility confinement of up to 1 year or a prison term of 2 to 10 years or a fine of up to $10,000."

That seems to be the law there. Now, as Todd says, whether or not Texas really cares is another question.

Seems The Clarion-Ledger has decided to start reporting in the mayoral race, and even mentions Melton's wife:

<I>Jackson mayoral candidate Frank Melton's homestead tax exemption on his $488,600 Texas home will be re-evaluated to determine if he meets legal requirements or owes back taxes. [...]

Under Texas law, homeowners are allowed to declare one residence as their principal homestead for a property tax exemption. Melton receives a homestead tax credit for property in Flint, Texas, and lives in east Jackson.

"In Texas, a family or married couple is entitled to only one homestead, and they must declare that as being their principal residence," said Mike Barnett, chief appraiser for the county appraisal district that includes the small town of Flint, about 10 miles south of Tyler.

"Even if his wife lives there, in theory, he is receiving a benefit," Barnett said.

His wife, Ellen, lives in the Texas home. Melton has not declared the standard exemption on his Jackson home and said he lives in both homes.

"I do live in the home. I'm there quite a bit," Melton said Wednesday of his Texas residence. "I have dual residency."

Melton said he and his wife bought their first house in Texas and moved twice, each time keeping the homestead exemption in Texas. Two children attend college in Texas, and his wife has a successful medical practice in Tyler, Texas, Melton said

He said he has owned his Jackson home 18 years and also owns five undeveloped lots across the street from his house. He said he pays more property taxes in Mississippi than in Texas.

Melton and his wife own a 4,457-square-foot home in Flint. According to Barnett, Melton filed in 1997 for a $15,000 school district exemption, which lowers his annual property tax payment by $220. His estimated taxes for this year are $8,806 after the exemption.

In Jackson, Melton's annual tax bill is listed at $6,027 for a home with an appraised value of $352,820.[/url]

Oh goodness, here are more quotes need the end of the Ledge piece:

"If the state of Texas wants to fine me, so be it, I'll pay the fine," Melton said. "But they're not going to fine me because I don't owe them a damn thing.

"... That's just a problem that the other campaign has caused," Melton said. "... Please discount the fact that I'm African American, but I do have the wherewithal to own more than one house."

____

Huh? Did I miss something? What does Melton being African American have to do with his owing taxes in Texas!?!

What does Melton being African American have to do with his owing taxes in Texas!?!

-ladd

When I read this, I was wondering the same thing. Had to send the link to a few friends via IM to see if they could figure it out... No clue.

I know, that quote floored me more than the one from Tuesday that we had posted above:

"I own the home,†I pay city taxes and truth is†I pay more in taxes than they make in their lives."

I had thought that one might be Quote o' the Week, but the latest one gives it a run for the money.

Also, I'm a bit puzzled how the other campaign caused him to mess up his Texas taxes. What am I missing?

Re the Kim Wade bit above, note that the transcript of those comments has now been posted here.

The "I pay more in taxes than they make in their lives" line leaves a really bad taste in my mouth.

I think the African-American thing is "See, I know you folks find it hard to believe, but a brother really can make enough money to own two houses." But since he's running against another black guy, I don't see how that's supposed to score him any points.

Nine of the people on that Melton sponsor list are buddies of mine, some of them close, respected, fairly liberal buddies of mine. One of these days I'm going to have to sit one of them down and ask what the attraction is.


Cheers,

TH

Now, I can understand that some may find Melton unappealing because he does make a lot of money. I would suppose it wouldn't make you "One of the Crowd" if you're rich.

I can't help but think a good focus on crime, even for one term, would help Jackson immensely.