Rick Whitlow: It's Not Over, Yet!
Whitlow held a press conference today to kick-start his post-primary campaign, calling for Democrats "who are seeking an alternative" to support him. His scripted talk follows, verbatim:
Good afternoon, hello, and welcome. Contrary to what you may have read or heard over the last 24 hours, the City of Jackson did not, I repeat, did not, elect a mayor last night (May 3rd). The General Election will be on June 7th and between now and then I am still standing and I will have a lot to say about the promise of this city and who can best provide the leadership as Mayor to fulfill that potential. There are a lot of people who did not vote on May 3rd who still have a say about who will be Mayor of the City of Jackson for the next 4 years.
Now that the curtain has finally gone down on the political dog and pony show we have all had to endure over the past couple of months, I am here to get the attention of the citizens of Jackson back on the very serious and critical issues we face.
At the top of that critical issues list is the issue of CRIME.
I want to use this occasion, at this place, and time to proclaim that when elected Mayor my #1 priority will be to restore order and confidence, and be totally committed to reducing crime and improving the quality of life in our city for all citizens.
The first step in accomplishing that goal is to commit the Jackson police department component of the Hinds County criminal justice system to the policing philosophy referred to as “ZERO TOLERANCE.”
This philosophy is aggressive, and has it pros and cons, and certainly will have its critics. But for the past two years, I have studied it in great detail and believe it to be the course of action we should take to reduce crime in our city.
The Jackson Police Department can not implement “ZERO TOLERANCE” by itself. I will look to form partnerships. A united front with other Metro area components of the criminal justice system and encourage them publicly and privately to support and buy in to the “ZERO TOLERANCE” crime fighting plan.
“ZERO TOLERANCE” is not a one size fits all panaceas for solving crime. It is aggressive, and will be monitored and evaluated on a quarterly basis. We will modify and make adjustments as needed. The civil rights of all citizens will be respected. Indiscriminate head busting will not be tolerated. Police officers will be held accountable for their actions, but they will also have the complete and total backing of the Mayors office to enforce the laws. We will continue to recruit and retain quality officers; make sure they are properly trained, have quality equipment, and resources.
We can and will make sure that not only people in our city, state, and nation, but also globally know that Mississippi’s capital city of Jackson is once again “safe and open for business.”
It will be law and order, and improved image building which will spur our economic development. Not the practice of raising taxes.
We must protect the current investments being made downtown, and in other parts of our city. Implementing “ZERO TOLERANCE” policing will protect those investments and encourage others, which in turn improves the quality of life, broadens the tax base, improves education, and creates opportunities for affordable traditional homeownership, and also creates new jobs. We will work hard to make sure our city is once again “safe and open for business.” LEADERSHIP MATTERS.
Education:
Last year I had the opportunity and privilege to serve on the Jackson Public Schools strategic core planning team. It was an incredible learning experience. I came away with new knowledge of the challenges educators are facing. I believe in class room discipline and the power of parental involvement. During my son’s childhood, I was a single parent, so I know how difficult it can be to balance a career, Parent-Teacher conferences, PTA meetings, band practice, and many other extra-curricular activities.
My approach to working with Jackson’s Public and Private schools will be to listen to what the dedicated professionals are saying and what their needs are and how the Mayor’s office can help them achieve their goals and improve JPS. I will also appoint board members who will not promote policies which subject our children to the subtle racism of “low expectations.” Once again it’s about partnership, co-operation, and teamwork.
In Conclusion:
I will be going into more detail about my other platform issues of Economic Development, Healthy Jackson, Handicap accessibility, and racial reconciliation in the weeks ahead.
It is important that the citizens of Jackson and the Metro area know that my administration will be about results, not good intentions. I don’t want to hear about how hard we tried, how much money we spent, or all the political would haves, could haves, and should haves. I will make decisions in a timely manner, with the best interests of the citizens of Jackson first and foremost.
So it is in that spirit we ask for the support of Democrats who are seeking an alternative to their party nominee and all the citizens of Jackson who are not as interested in bravado as they are positive results for the City. I am passionate and enthusiastic as we continue our march towards the bright future that awaits the city of Jackson and its people, when voters make a decision for a leader with integrity, honor, dignity, and commitment on June 7th.
Rick Whitlow
General Election Kickoff Press Conference
May 4, 2005 * 12:30 PM
612 North State Street, Suite A * Jackson, Mississippi
# # #
COMMENTS
I sure hope he shows me something in the next couple weeks.
I can't see myself not voting and I really would like a choice between the two. Right now I could only hold my nose and look for the lesser of two evils. Someone please show me the better of two "losers?"
Whitlow has a tough row to hoe. He seems nice and knowledgable. However, I think no matter what, Jackson's next mayor will be passionate, determined, and vocal. I can't remember an election where I didn't detest one of the candidates.... and I think Jackson has a choice between two really great guys,... beats the he11 out of a Charlotte Reeves.
Anyone else get a shudder down their spine when they saw the Melton election party and Parker-Weaver was front and center behind him? I swear that woman never met a press conference she couldn't elbow her way into camera-shot.
Agreed. Parker-Weaver was right there. And I suspect she will continue to be should Melton be elected.
I hope Whitlow really gives this a shot. There are still serious issues that need to be fleshed out, and perhaps with both candidates cancelling each other out with crime rhetoric, then they will be forced to talk about other issues of substance. And without the Johnson-hating to promote, perhaps the local corporate media could be forced to do something substantive. At least I can dream.
Interestingly, Whitlow's Web site seems more compelling in that respect.
   Posted by: ladd on May 05, 05 | 1:21 pm
Also, I'm hearing some signs of Melton buyer's remorse alreadyófrom some pretty staunch supporters. That could mean that Whitlow can take advantage of the people who went whole-hog for Melton, but aren't so sure about him. I don't know if he will, or is up to the challenge. But it could be a good, and interesting, race if Whitlow steps up and gets past rhetoric, especially crime rhetoric.
And they both need to drop the B.S., plastered in the Ledger today, that crime must be taken care of before economic development. That just makes them both look a little uneducated about running cities and, frankly, crime. And it's not like either opponent has to beaten on economic developmentóneither of them have a record of doing one thing in that regard, so why doesn't at least one of them go do a little late-night cramming and figure out how to embrace eco-devo. That could be the difference in the race; you never know. My sense is that Whitlow is the one who should get smarter about thisóand make political hay out of it, if he would. After all, a Republican should give a damn about eco-dev and not repeat the senseless mantra that you have to "wait" until crime is "under control." This is so inaccurate. They need to drop that silliness.
Posted by: ladd on May 05, 05 | 1:26 pm
And I like some of Whitlow's statements about racial reconciliationótwo words he's not afraid to useóand when he says them, they don't sound like he's saying there is no need to talk about race. Melton, on the other hand, sounds like he doesn't think there's still a race problem left on the planetóexcept when he blames opponents for targeting him for being a "successful black man," as he did several times during the campaign. That made no sense in this particular case. After all, the people who were most likely to do that were supporting him!
So I look forward to hearing more from Whitlow on this point. I think he should try to get past party and be a true independent candidate in this race. Why not? So many Republicans are supporting Melton anyway. It could get very interesting if Whitlow would really engage the issues. I sure would listen.
Posted by: ladd on May 05, 05 | 1:30 pm
Melton, on the other hand, sounds like he doesn't think there's still a race problem left on the planet
Yep, Donna. I'm telling ya, Frank Melton = Uncle Ruckus.
GDI, you're just trying to pull me into that onee, and I ain't goin'!
Posted by: ladd on May 05, 05 | 1:39 pm
Anyone else get a shudder down their spine when they saw the Melton election party and Parker-Weaver was front and center behind him? I swear that woman never met a press conference she couldn't elbow her way into camera-shot.
I've got to say, it looked like a number of people "suddenly showed up" at the Melton HQ after it was clear he has won, some of them fresh-faced and recently blow-dried. I found that amusing...maybe they were there the whole time, or maybe they need a catnap before partying...or maybe they were watching which way the ball would bounce? Parker-Weaver, to her credit, was supporting Melton even *prior* to the night he won, right? :-)
Posted by: iTodd on May 05, 05 | 1:41 pm
Shoot!
Woulda been fun though.
Good point, Todd. Of course, she was paid a great deal of money to be involved with that campaign. Just sayin'.
That party did seem to be getting on down from the latest TV report, I saw. I bet I'm not the only one was a bit dry-mouthed yesterday. ;-)
Posted by: ladd on May 05, 05 | 1:43 pm
I have to mention that on the Ledge site today, there is picture of Melton in his "Winner's Walk"óor being pulled byówhat looks look to be one of them vicious guard dogs he owns. I'm not saying he doesn't walk him every day, mind you, but it struck me as funny. I guess it matches the tenor of the "crime" story it accompanies.
Speaking of that story, this part caught my eye:
Before moving forward, Whitlow said he'll need to get a handle on each project. On Farish Street and in other dilapidated neighborhoods, he said he'll attack the bureaucratic process first, not the homes. "There are laws, policies and procedures that need to be followed," Whitlow said. "You can't just go down with a sledgehammer and start tearing apart buildings."
Swiping at a Melton plan to bring a recording studio to Farish Street, he said he won't promise such things. First, order must be restored, he said.
"We can get very creative once we get zero tolerance," Whitlow said. "I'm not an economic developer, but I know people who are. We'll form partnerships with investors and make an atmosphere conducive to entrepreneurs and development. I know the potential is unlimited."
State GOP Chairman Jim Herring said Whitlow, a former TV sportscaster, can expect to receive help from the party in the race.
It does seem like Whitlow is in touch with the reality that it may not be as easy to get unions to tear down those houses as Melton makes it sound like. And calling Melton out on the recording studio is interesting. I'd like to see his budget for that studio on the taxpayer's dime. Could be interesting, but we need to see a benefit analysis of that little campaign promise.
Now to ding Whitlow, to repeat, he needs to drop this doofus idea that eco-devo needs to be shelved until crime is "under control"ówe'll never create more jobs with that attitude, and guess what joblessness leads to: crime. Doh.
Posted by: ladd on May 05, 05 | 1:50 pm
I'm concerned about this "zero tolerance" thing -- sounds a little heavy-handed, and it can land you in the same over-enforcement/lawsuit problems that NYC saw during the Rudy years. So we'll need to figure out what he's all about when it comes to that stuff.
I like this line, though: "I will be going into more detail about my other platform issues of Economic Development, Healthy Jackson, Handicap accessibility, and racial reconciliation in the weeks ahead."
Those are interesting choices. "Healthy Jackson" in particularly could be an interesting one. His Website says he'll "promote awareness" about health issues, but I wonder if he'd be willing to extend that focus to things like hiking and biking in the city; public parks and greenspace, etc.
Maybe Whitlow will sit down for an interview with the JFP -- I'd like to hear him flesh out some of these position statements, which tend toward rhetoric and contort their way back to LEADERSHIP MATTERS, in all caps, after nearly every paragraph.
Posted by: iTodd on May 05, 05 | 1:51 pm
O.k... I've always thought eco-devo happened largely regardless of mayor... if a developer can make money, a project will get done, and here is why I like Melton,.... a large part of the eco-devo hinderance downtown is because of the proximity to Farish/West Capitol (read:poor & black) area of town.... reality or not, the Farish residential area is scary, and folks dont want to invest a lot down there.... to get to the point,... the unspoken turnkey in all this is the culture of violence/absentee father/ education-is-for-punks prevalent in the poor black communities... and Melton's involvement in the Farish Y and trying to be a positive role model interacting directly with these kids will only pay dividends down the road in eco-devo. Am I too off base here?
Yes, I like his talk about "healthy Jackson," too. And "handicap assessibility" is important to real people. I have a feeling there's some substance to Whitlow. I just hope he's doing enough homework to make this an issues-oriented stretch. That would rock.
I could even handle the "leadership" B.S. if there was something else attached to it. I hereby challenge Mr. Whitlow to lead us into an issues-oriented campaign!
Posted by: ladd on May 05, 05 | 1:58 pm
The only credit I will give Whitlow, yet, on the "zero tolerance" thing is that it is often used as a PR label (same with "community policing"), and can mean very different things. The proof is in the details here.
Mr. Whitlow, we await your specifics. Please give us specifics!
Posted by: ladd on May 05, 05 | 2:00 pm
Actually one of my beefs with Johnson was his tax payer money involvement with projects that had no effect... in terms of subsequent private investment.... The Train Station was over time and over budget, and the surrounding 6 blocks still look like a war zone... same with Farish Street... tons of money invested, and all the storefronts are boarded up..... We will have a conference center AND a telecommunications convention center... WTF? side by side?... All Johnsons projects had way too many bucks with no bang.
O.k... I've always thought eco-devo happened largely regardless of mayor... if a developer can make money, a project will get done, and here is why I like Melton,.... a large part of the eco-devo hinderance downtown is because of the proximity to Farish/West Capitol (read:poor & black) area of town.... reality or not, the Farish residential area is scary, and folks dont want to invest a lot down there.... to get to the point,... the unspoken turnkey in all this is the culture of violence/absentee father/ education-is-for-punks prevalent in the poor black communities... and Melton's involvement in the Farish Y and trying to be a positive role model interacting directly with these kids will only pay dividends down the road in eco-devo. Am I too off base here?
Certainly some eco-devo does happen without involvement of the municipality, but something like Farish Street is more like a mall than a "part of the city," in the sense that it has a management company -- Proforma Management -- hired by the city to be a big part of who comes in there and whatnot. Also, the police substation is getting it start there and so on. I don't think Farish is that "scary" and I think it'll find plenty of investment specifically because it will be professionally managed as an entertainment district.
Does that mean I don't find it odd that some of those recently renovated homes are boarded up? Nope. That's weird, and I'd like to have a better sense of why and what can be done about it.
As to Melton's involvement in the Farish Y -- maybe that helps. I'd say my biggest gripe with him as a "business man" is that he hasn't seemed to open any businesses in that area -- that would have been a huge way to use his money to promote the betterment of the community; seriously, if he wants a high-tech studio on Farish, why hasn't he pulled together the financing and gotten one built?
Posted by: iTodd on May 05, 05 | 2:02 pm
PUDD:
This is in the mayoral race story today by the C-L:
The two-block entertainment district from Amite to Hamilton streets is nearly leased, Elkington said, so much of the planing work already is done. But the state of housing in the surrounding blocks is a different story.
Note that it says it's nearly leased. The train station, also, does not look like a war-zone -- it's actually been cleared quite a bit. One interesting note about the train station -- there are buildings all around it that are privately owned and that continue to sit vacant -- that's an owner's choice, particularly when s/he/they could be leasing space cheap to artists or renovating ala Fondren Corner and similar more visionary developments. But...the idea that this stuff happens in a vacuum or that private businesses were going to pour money into dt (or anywhere) without municipal backing and infrastructure improvements is tough to swallow.
Posted by: iTodd on May 05, 05 | 2:09 pm
Exactly... what I am saying is as a city planner, I think Johnson stunk.
Fondren Corner was done, as well as everything in the Fondren renaissance was done privately-no municipal backing. Johnson didnt have a finger on any of that... and it flourished.
Everything Johnson poured our money into hasnt gotten ANY return. The city paid for the shotgun shacks to be renovated, and noone would rent them. The King Edward will never happen. There are so many problems with it, it will never be renovated... it is a shame about the buildings around the train station, true they are privately held. Have you ever tried buying a building downtown?.. they're all crazy.
Per the leases on Farish, Proforma was hired 3 or 4 years ago... those leases and busineses should have been ready to go when the infrastructure was done... they've been talking about rehabbing Farish Street for years... and it is still a ghost town. Dont get me wrong, I dream of the same downtown you do. I'm not pessimistic,... just frustrated.
Yes, this should be an opportunity for both candidates to talk about the issues and try to win votes. It will be interesting to how all this plays out as we move along in the race. Personally, I am going to have to see how Southern Style decides who looks the best before I vote. I hope they run a mayoral style article soon, so I can sit back, and support my stylish guy (or not stylish ñ I expect a power packed, fair and balanced article to make that decision) without worrying about all those pesky issues!
Posted by: tortoise on May 05, 05 | 2:24 pm
. I'd say my biggest gripe with him as a "business man" is that he hasn't seemed to open any businesses in that area
So true. Factcheck: What businesses has Mr. Melton been involved with, or invested in, other than WLBT? Are there others? It really seems there would be.
Todd's point about the recording studio is actually what Skipp Coon was trying to say to Melton: should that REALLY be a municipal project? Are the taxpayers going to go for that? Is there enough cost-benefit behind that as a municipal project? Has that been done elsewhere?
And why in the world didn't The Clarion-Ledger ask him these questions while they had his attention? I would have.
Posted by: ladd on May 05, 05 | 2:25 pm
... WLBT and the other TV stations elsewhere, I should have said ... what other locally owned businesses?
Also, one thing he said during the campaign that I liked was that Farish needed locally owned businesses there like E&L BBQóhas he done anything to help make that happen? Must everything be done by the government?
(We're getting in territory where y'all might start to see why the N-JAM attempts to label us "commies" don't stickóI'm an anti-corporate free-enterpriser, and don't believe the government should go "into business" under any circumstance. I sure don't get the city owning a recording studio.)
Posted by: ladd on May 05, 05 | 2:30 pm
ladd: I sure don't get the city owning a recording studio.
Interesting. Do you get government owning radio and tv stations?
(Yeah, i know it isn't really on topic.)
don't believe the government should go "into business" under any circumstance.
AMEN!
Do you get government owning radio and tv stations?
I do support public TV and radio, especially in a time of corporatization of media. (Although I also see the arguments against this and the problems.) However, I do not see how a government could "own" a recording studio without setting it up to be competitive. How much could that possibly cost the taxpayers??
Again, I want to see the cost-benefit analysis. Perhaps I could be convinced. I could certainly see a public school having a recording studioóbut that's not what Mr. Melton was talking about at Birdland. He was telling the rappers that he wanted to build them a studio on Farish so that they could get rich there, it seemed. That's not about pedagogy.
Posted by: ladd on May 05, 05 | 2:41 pm
What about our good friend, David Banner.... this seems like a match made in Birdland.
Frank Melton ought to hire Rick Whitlow as his Deputy Mayor. Just a thought.
Frank Melton ought to hire Rick Whitlow as his Deputy Mayor.
Or vice versa. ;-)
Actually, it sounds to me like either of one should hire someone who knows squat about economic development and what it has to do with creating jobs and reducing crime. And I'm not talking about a recording studio on Farish Street.
David Banner to do what? Pay for the studio? Why doesn't Frank Melton build the damn studio out of his personal fortune? Why does the government need to fund it?
Posted by: ladd on May 05, 05 | 5:32 pm
Why doesn't Frank Melton build the studio out of his personal fortune?
That's actually what I thought he meant when I read the report. Or you sure he doesn't intend to fund it himself/with other investors?
PS: Are there instructions somewhere on how to make italics, bold, links etc.?
Why, then, would he need to run for mayor to do that? And if he was promising a recording studio out of his personal fortune if the MAP members would vote for himódoesn't that kind of sound like bribery?
(Italics are that little pointy bracket over the comma on your keyboard, then an I, then, "close" it with the one over the period. For bolds, same thing but with a B.)
Posted by: ladd on May 05, 05 | 6:28 pm
A press conference will be held tomorrow [Friday] at Duling School in Fondren at 10 a.m by David Watkins.
An economic development plan for the school building, I underdstand , is its purpose. This post is a FYI only. I think I know what it is about and is exciting , if it is what I have been hearing about. Hope to see many there.
Thanks, Ben! I heard about this, and I'll be there. See you there.
Posted by: ladd on May 05, 05 | 10:15 pm
A little more information regarding what will be happening at the press conference. JPS is definitely trying to be responsible and overcome the ed funding cuts while helping the community.
No...to answer your earlier question ladd..it doesn't sound like bribery, I think those kids are brighter than that. What it does sound like is the usual politician making the usual campaign promises. It has yet to be seen what will happen. I personally think its a great idea. But just have to see exactly how its gonna be funded. As a taxpayer, if the plan is a good one, i dont mind building a studio if it will contribute to getting some kids off the street and on a positive path. When are the kids gonna get something out of one of these elections ya know?? perhaps David Banner and Kamikaze could come in and help make something happen. (I don't know exactly wht puddin meant)
I wasn't saying it was bribery, trusip. I was saying to pjiv that if (a) Melton wasn't talking about the city building the recording studio and he was (b) promising to build a studio himself in order to get votes, then (c) that sounded like a bribe. You say it's a "usual campaign promise." Really? Candidates go around promising something out of their own pockets in order to get votes? Does that really happen that often? And if that wasn't what he was doingóand it didn't sound like it, being that he was answering questions about what he would do as mayoróthen he was saying that the city would building a recording studio. There aren't a lot of other ways to look at this.
In the rest of the post, I think you're skippinig past the question of *who* is going to build the recording studio. The point isn't whether it's a good idea -- it's whether it's the only idea (the only one he gave that night) and who's going to pay for it: cost-benefit and all that.
To be honest, it didn't sound like he'd thought it through much. Sounded like something good to promise the hip-hop community that night. I think it's good that Whitlow is challenging him on it (and the Ledge is reporting that).
Posted by: ladd on May 06, 05 | 3:47 pm
Not out their own pockets maybe..but they make promises just the same. It may not necessarily be monetary but candidates are always promising to do one thing or another. He's not the first and definitely won't be the last. We'll just have to see if he puts his money where his mouth is...I wasnt there so I can't say what else he promised the hip hop set, but what I was saying that if we're gettin taxed for the convention center or renovations to downtown,then we might as well get taxed to build a studio that may get some kids off the street. thus, helping the crime problem. It seems like one could aid the other.
On the subject of zero-tolerance: I was happy to hear Whitlow qualify the policy with quarterly assessments, coupled with "community policing" (details pending, I know). And I'll give the campaign some points for using the word "panaceas" right off the bat.
But he didn't field a question asking if the policy simply meant more arrests very well. He said that it did indeed mean more arrests. The follow-up question asked about where to put the new arrests, to which he only replied that he was "keenly aware" of the problem and that it was a long-term one he'd be working on. And the zero-tolerance policy was described weakly as one that would "disrupt the comfort zone" of criminals and "send a message" to higher level offenders that we ain't having it, I guess.
But I never saw the criminal element as being that pre-meditative anyway, ready to step down if the stakes were too high.
Here is a discussion on an incident involving zero tolerance that included many points of view:
http://www.thisistrue.com/zt3.html
Let me know what you think.
Posted by: L.W. on May 07, 05 | 10:48 pm
Hmmm, Walker, that's encouraging in many ways. And it sounds like Whitlow is articulating many more specifics than Melton even bothered to in his rethorical campaign-of-fear-and-sound-bites. I really hope Whitlow digs into these issues deeper. Let's ask him the tough questions; he seems more than willing to engage the issues. Thank goodness.
Yeah, I'm not buying the "send a message" idea, either; that will work with only certain criminals. I don't think Mrl. Whitlow has researach on his side on that one.
I want to see more of what Whitlow thinks "community policing" means. When I interviewed back during that SafeCity debacle, he really didn't know. Of course, I've seen no indication that Melton understands it, either. Perhaps now is a really good timie to try to engage this public in a *real* discussion about crimeónow that The Clarion-Ledger's favorite punching bag, Chief Moore, has stepped aside.
(The Ledge's line-up of justification columns today is hysterially funny. Me senses a little concern that lots of folks this week are worried about their unqualified proclamations of late. Those columnsówith Hampton's pitiful one leading the pack, and Stringfellow's right there with itóare extremely self-conscious and looking to spread blame for the rhetoric of "perception" everywhere but where it belongsósquarely with the media. But they never do anything wrong, you know.
The. Ledge. Needs. An. Ombudsman.
Posted by: ladd on May 08, 05 | 10:37 am
The. Ledge. Needs. An. Ombudsman.
Why not lead by example by establishing a JFP Ombudsman?
;-D Thanks, PBR, for giving us credit for having such reach and public influence that the city and state are in dangerous of being led astray for our coverage. Love the thought.
We'll take it up in our next budget meeting, and submit a request to the home office in Arlington, Va.
MeantimeóThe. Ledge. Needs. An. Ombudsman.
Posted by: ladd on May 08, 05 | 2:13 pm
Here are some good links we've provided in the past about what the Gannett Corp. itself says about its papers tendency to sensationalize crime, including references to The Clarion-Ledger in the second link. This is good stuff; all should read.
http://www.gannett.com/go/newswatch/99/march/nw0312-1.htm
Jane Amari writes: "In their 1998 Freedom Forum-funded report, 'Indictment: The News Media and the Criminal Justice System,' Wallace Westfeldt and Tom Wicker point out that serious crimes fell in 1997 the sixth consecutive year. That trend has continued. In addition, although more than 90 percent of all crimes are property crimes, most of what newspapers cover are violent crimes. ... Rarely do we get the side of the accused -- even when attorneys permit interviews. And victims frequently want to remain in the background. Context is the issue. We rarely report or have information about the background of a crime. Was it the act of an isolated offender, or was it part of an organized effort citizens should be aware of? If it was the former, what brought the perpetrator to that point? Are there social or community pressures in play? How many such incidents have there been, and to what effect? What should readers be aware of? What can each of us do?" MORE ...
She argues that overblown crime coverage can drive readers away from newspapers: "When surveyed, newspaper readers increasingly are telling us they are sick of the negativity in newspapers. As Geneva Overholser wrote in a 1998 Washington Post column, 'Post readers often rue the prevalence of crime news in local reporting and its displacement of other newsworthy activities. They deplore not only the misrepresentation but the feelings it engenders. Said one reader: "You don't realize how much all this endless negativism tears down people's hopes." Similar sentiments often are cited by nonreaders as a reason they don't buy the paper.'" She suggests turning crime coverage into "community coverage," and include three types of information in news reports: (1) "Perspective. In other words, how common is this crime in the community?" (2) "Identified risk factors. What is the relationship of those involved? Was alcohol involved? Do the people involved in the incident have jobs? If a gun was used, who manufactured it? Where was it obtained and how much did it cost?" and (3) "Consequences and costs. What happens to the families of those involved in this incident? Who pays for their hospitalization? Will the children receive counseling? Will children be split up, put into foster care?"
______
http://www.gannett.com/go/newswatch/2001/october/nw1005-2.htm
Money quotes:
"In Jackson, community perception is that crime is growing, despite statistics that show otherwise. The newspaper staff wanted to use the roundtable to help determine if the newspaper's coverage was contributing to the false perception."
and
"Roundtable participants in both markets wanted more coverage of crime trends, as well as an interpretation of what those trends meant to the safety of their neighborhoods. 'They also wanted more "good news" in the newspaper to balance negative crime coverage. When citing The Clarion-Ledger's coverage of a local honor student's funeral, one Jackson participant asked, 'What would it have taken to get him on the front page when he was alive?'"
Posted by: ladd on May 08, 05 | 2:21 pm
And here is our (unheeded) November 2003 editorial calling for The Clarion-Ledger to start doing "civic journalism" instead of superficial horse-race coverage of elections and context-less reporting about "issues":
Had The Clarion-Ledger covered this election well, Mr. Melton would have been forced to engage the issues, rather than avoid answering questions and giving specific solutions to problems. Horse-race coverage allows sound bites to rule and candidates to win without detailing actual platform details. He might have won the primary anyway, but a lot more people would likely start turning out if media would force candidates to engage the issues, instead of these piddley turnouts that show more dislike for all the candidates than real interest in what's best for the community.
"Civic journalism" also emphasizes the need for candidates to not just run negative campaigns saying everything their opponent and/or the incumbent had done in office was wrong (for unarticulated reasons), but to actually articulate what they are going to do better. That is, it's not about allowing candidates to twist the truth and use rhetoric to talk down opponents, but to prove what they're going to do better. A primary role of the media is to demand facts, truth and specifics from public officials and candidates.
Also, on Nov. 23, 2003, we first called on the C-L to hire an ombudsman based on their pitiful perpetuation of "perception"-gate. You can read our reasoning at that link.
Posted by: ladd on May 08, 05 | 2:30 pm
L.W., that discussion was interesting. Certainly the incident is a keen example of a ZT-induced conundrum. Whitlow has at least verbally safeguarded such ridiculousness from occurring through his qualifying (the assessments, noting the policy will need to be adjusted), so it sounds more tentative than the example's.
What's weird to me is that at the press conference Whitlow said there'd be no changes in the books, that he felt he could reduce crime simply through a zero-tolerance mentality. This worries because it's so vague and intangible, nothing a voter could analyze.
This worries because it's so vague and intangible, nothing a voter could analyze.
It wouldn't be that Mr. Whitlow is using "zero tolerance" as a catchphrase or sound bite, would it? Of course he may have to against Melton's sound bitesóbut he does seem to be articulating more substance behind the sound bites.
Ah, the choices we face. ;-)
Posted by: ladd on May 09, 05 | 8:08 pm
Yes, thus far he's given some heed to the existance of municipal processes, and has criticized the "chest-pounding" of the primaries, unlike the Melton-silliness (Hood comes to mind) where his persona is to boulder over such mundaneness.
Are there any upcoming debates between Whitlow and Melton? If so, will they be televised? C'mon, Donna, spill it! :-P
Posted by: L.W. on May 09, 05 | 9:21 pm
I get the feeling that if I sat down with Whitlow and asked him exactly what he was going to do, getting down to specifics and brass tacks, he'd tell me--and he'd give me the same answers he'd give anybody else. I don't think that's true of Melton at this point. I think he plans on getting elected first, looking at the lay of the land, then figuring out what he's doing.
I like Whitlow, and I've liked him since day one, but I reckon I'll probably vote for Melton on June 7th. But with apologies to John Kerry, I actually voted against Frank Melton before I voted for him.
Cheers,
TH
Posted by: Tom Head on May 10, 05 | 12:30 am
Note to Rick Whitlow: Yes, it is.
LOL....I think some of you just type to see words that tickle your fansy...LOL.
I couldn't help but laugh out loud(LOL) at all the replies.
Frank builds a studio with my tax dollars? hahahahaha...JOKE#1
I'm in the process of moving, yes, moving my tax money to Madison. found me a nice little house off the beaten path of county line road. I've tried to express to friends and neighbors how important it was to vote and keep a GOOD Mayor in office because change don't happen over night, but some people are too Jim Crow'd to care about their future or their childrens' future.
hey Ladd, can you start a Madison Free Press so I can connect and discuss a city on the move instead of the having to stomach the daily trolling of blog incest you people do?
FRANK MELTON THE NEXT 4 YEARS...LOL...
^^^sounds as terrible as it looks.
good day all.
Blog incest??? Man, B.M., you get yo knickers in a twist, and you can trot out some kinda hyperbole! Like you anyway, though. Just breathe a little, dude.
As for the MFP ... not on the horizon just yet. But you can still get the JFP out yonder even after you run from the city like the chicken sh*t you are!
(Kiddin', friend. The journalism's sure to be hot in Jacktown in the upcoming months and year. Keep us on your radio dial wherever you land.)
Cheerio.
Posted by: ladd on May 10, 05 | 7:26 pm
Once upon a time, Jackson had movie theaters. Yes, I rode my pet dinosaur to many a matinee.
Remember when Magic Johnson (no relation to lame-duck Harvey) considered putting a theater downtown? Morgan Freeman & his partners were asked to look at Farish Street before opting to locate the next Ground Zero on Beale Street in Memphis. Is there any doubt that the crime situation is a big factor in such decisions?
Rick Whitlow (a former Bill Clinton sympathizer) will be lucky to get 40% of the vote.
Magic Johnson's company has a very strict population requirement when considering where to put theatres.
And I do believe there IS a doubt about crime being involved in that situation considering the Magic Johnson company, from what I understand, kind of thinks that development deters crime.
Not sure on the Morgan Freeman end, but I would also think that since there is already a Ground Zero within driving distance from Jackson that his money, at this time, would be better spent in an area where he could newly brand himself.
Posted by: emilyb on May 11, 05 | 9:09 am
I also remember when people bashed Memphis for crime. Now those people are in downtown Memphis on the weekends reaping the fruits of the hopeful people who invested there.
Posted by: emilyb on May 11, 05 | 9:13 am
TRUTH WATCH!
Remember when Magic Johnson (no relation to lame-duck Harvey) considered putting a theater downtown? Morgan Freeman & his partners were asked to look at Farish Street before opting to locate the next Ground Zero on Beale Street in Memphis. Is there any doubt that the crime situation is a big factor in such decisions?
Of course there's doubt in that. It's a poorly reasoned statement. Do you really think there was no crime in and around 125th Street in Harlem when Magic put his theater there?? There was also a lot of population, though, as Emily correctly points out.
The TRUTH is, eco-devo is being done in areas around the country to help lower crime, and it works. If we weren't so damn insular here in Mississippi, and anyone including local outlets of national media chains, ever actually tried to place what's happening here in a wider context of what is actually true and proven in the world, then folks couldn't go around making these kinds of unsubstantiated statements with any credibilityóincluding Frank Melton and Rick Whitlow.
Ahem: Patently false statement to say that crime must be rid before eco-devo. People who say that are fond of crime for some reason (political?), and/or are severely misinformed.
Rick Whitlow (a former Bill Clinton sympathizer) will be lucky to get 40% of the vote.
You may be right, but your reasoning about Clinton is flimsy. Do you really think most voters in this town are anti-Clinton? I am, but that doesn't mean that Jackson, over all, is. Whitlow has a problem winning because he is running as a Republican, pure and simpleóthe same reason Melton told the ladies of North Jackson in March that he isn't running as a Republican even though he doesn't like Democrats. He can't win as a Republican in a majority-black city, he said.
Posted by: ladd on May 11, 05 | 9:38 am
BM...the convention center got built with your tax dollars..is THAT a joke? Farish street is getting a facelift with your tax dollars is THAT a joke..or did ya just forget?
I guess those are ok huh? Maybe ya should move to Madison where EVERYONE's well-off and you won't have to worry about your tax dollars being used to help ALL of the citizens
Black Man,
Could you expound on why you're so angry? Other posts that I read of yours did not sound this way.
Posted by: L.W. on May 11, 05 | 12:13 pm
Whitlow has a problem winning because he is running as a Republican, pure and simpleóthe same reason Melton told the ladies of North Jackson in March that he isn't running as a Republican even though he doesn't like Democrats. He can't win as a Republican in a majority-black city, he said.
And to think, black people used to vote Republican.
bammmmbooooozle
Black Man,
Could you expound on why you're so angry?
Angry?..me?..LOL..no way...I'm having a ball reading all the "blogs"..LOL
Note on Donna's post about Eco-Devo.
PARAPHRASE OF a segment from aWashington Monthly Article
QUOTE:
"Creative destruction" isn't just a feature of successful capitalism, it's also a feature of successful cultures. Cultures that are open, dynamic, and brave enough to question mainstream opinions, question "common sense" notions about how the world works, question even the value of "common sense" itself, question "traditional values" (even the existence of in God!), and so forth are more likely to do the same thing when it comes to business and industry!!!
As with capitalism, of course, there's always the risk of carrying things too far now and again, but the inevitable mistakes are trivial compared to the long-term rewards of being openminded about cultural change in the first place.
THAT is why California, Land of the Fruits, Nuts, and Flakes, is rich and clean-cut, God-fearing, common-sense-oriented. Mississippi isn't. Furthermore, Austin is also regarded as Texas' own wacko-land, a miniature San Francisco. Ditto for Fayetteville being Arkansas' emerging tree-huggerville (by far the fastest growing area of the state!).
It's the CULTURE, people!.
END QUOTE
Apply the previous post about the crime rhetoric vis a vis development.
Also, Mark Michailovic, who lives in Philadelphia, PA, said it's ordinary people rolling up their sleeves and building a viable community DESPITE the crime and urban problems that brings about urban revival (as opposed to "urban renewal"). Again, apply the above post's claims to the city and state development issues.
Of course it's "despite"óit's just a silly notion to say otherwise. And it's not factual. The evidence is all over the country. This is the thing Whitlow says that I respect the least. I hate for Mississippians to be treated like we're stupid out of either political maneuvering or because someone hasn't actually done any homework. Otherwise, though, Whitlow's got some interesting thoughts I want to hear more about, especially his thoughts on racial reconciliation and making the city healthier. Big issues.
Posted by: ladd on May 11, 05 | 1:32 pm
I see you've erased my reply to trusip ladd. was I too brash?...lol...
anyway, Melton bribing off the youngsters with the promise of studio...LOL...where was I..oh yeah...LOL
I remember a time when a young lad had to work hard to have something of value in this world...nowadays all you have to do is bend over.
food for thought there, trusip.
No, you violated the User Agreement. Again.
Black Man, learn the rules or leave. This is my last warning.
Posted by: ladd on May 11, 05 | 2:42 pm
emilyb: No bashing here, just reality. When a longtime business has to keep its front door locked in the daytime, new businesses are not likely to move into that area.
Evidently, Clinton, Flowood, & Ridgeland meet United Artists' population requirements, but Jackson doesn't; Pearl meets Cinemark's population requirements, but Jackson doesn't.
Did crime have nothing to do with the Braves opting to build that world-class facility in Pearl?
Memphis is much closer to the original Ground Zero in Clarksdale than Jackson is.
ladd: "Fond of crime"??? The professional criminals are "fond of crime." The thugs who burglarized my friend's home are "fond of crime." The sellers of burglar alarms & burglar bars may not be "fond of crime," but they certainly benefit from it.
You missed my point on Whitlow. You're right: Most Jackson voters are not anti-Clinton, but Republicans are, and Whitlow claims to be a "lifelong Republican." Jackson is 70-75% black, and 90% of black Mississippians wouldn't vote Republican for dog-catcher. In any case, voters who gave 63% to Melton in turning out an incumbent are not going to turn around five weeks later and elect someone else.
Hopefully, today's Memphis, as described by Emily, will be tomorrow's Jackson.
Did crime have nothing to do with the Braves opting to build that world-class facility in Pearl?
Uh, you're right, Steve. There is no crime near Shea or Yankee Stadium in New York. You're whistling past the graveyard on this one, and your logic doesn't hold.
There have been plenty of politicians (and media) in this state over the years who have been "fond of crime." Make no mistake.
I didn't miss any point on Whitlow. You hadn't made one. Just some quip about Clinton that made no sense. If you want to make a point, make it, but don't chastise someone for not getting a point you never got around to making.
Drink.
Posted by: ladd on May 11, 05 | 5:03 pm
Steve,
UATC is not Michael Johnson. I can't speak on their behalf.
But you need to understand that when retailers are choosing an area they look at lots of things. Population, average household income, surrounding retail establishments, budget, existing structure (can the renovate or will they build from ground up)....List goes on and on.
And I've read the arrest dockets from Rankin County. In fact, a few years back I followed a case of a drive-by shooting there. Drug related.
Armchair developing is easy to do but really developing an area takes time and perserverence and hope and optimism. I think you'll find sometime down the road that retail IS interested in Jackson. I'm of the opinion that it's just waiting for someone else to take the first jump in the water.
Posted by: emilyb on May 11, 05 | 7:09 pm
MAGIC JOHNSON
Mea Culpa.
Posted by: emilyb on May 11, 05 | 7:48 pm
emilyb: You indicated that population was the big reason for Magic Johnson's bypassing Jackson. If so, we would never have been considered in the first place, as MJ could learn what our population is without ever leaving home. Rankin County certainly has crime, but it's a fraction of Jackson's.
Illogical person: 1. Someone who thinks there should be at least one movie theater in Jackson, Miss. 2. Anyone who disagrees with ladd, especially during Happy Hour.
"There is no crime near Shea or Yankee Stadium in New York." (You seem to be obsessed with NY City.)
Yankee Stadium was built in the early 1920s.
Shea Stadium was built in the early 1960s.
Trustmark Park in Pearl opened in 2005.
"There have been plenty of politicians (and media) in this state over the years who have been 'fond of crime.'" There have? Why don't you name a few?
That's an incredible statement. Please give some specifics.
First, to deal with your sad attempt at personal swipe at me: I'm not sure the last time I actually made a happy hour. I tend to work until 9 p.m. at least every day except Saturday. Now, onto the actual topic were were discussing ...
No, Steve, you are being illogical and irrational on your point here. Crime is not the only fact behind eco-devo. This is just fact, whether it's during happy hour or not. Emily also did not say population is the only factor. (Drink.) The truth is, like it nor deny it, "crime" is not the only thing that matters. And I hear there's a shitload of unreported crime in Pearl.
And you're right: there was not a single crime in NYC in the 1920s or 1960s.
Actually, I'm obsessed with Jackson, and Mississippi, but not crime. But, like many, I am not loathe to the idea that there is a bigger world out there in which certain things have already been shown.
Posted by: ladd on May 12, 05 | 10:01 am
Good grief! Please... lighten up!
I took the word "drink" to be a reference to libations. The person disagreeing with you could be the one enjoying Happy Hour.
We can be hopeful that, starting in July, there will be a much more effective approach to fighting crime.
Meanwhile, you still haven't named any of the crime-loving politicians or media.
Just a couple will do.
Rankin its from a drinking game that has developed in the JFP blog space. Somewhere is a thread with the rules...lol! No one would be able to write if they actually drank everytime someone broke a rule. (drink)
Posted by: tortoise on May 12, 05 | 2:47 pm
...and some break the rules on purpose. Like tortoise.
OK (drink) me then.
;~))
Whoops--Steve, just realized I owe you an email. It's coming shortly.
Re the topic at hand: You know, drowning people will cling to anybody. They're not hugging you because they like you; they're hugging you because they don't want to die. Same principle behind fascism and crime or terrorism. So I have to believe that the megafascists of the previous century loved crime, since they built their regimes on it.
I don't think Melton should be put in the same category. I think he's frustrated wtih the crime problem, has been ever since he first came to Jackson, and wants to take a crack at solving it himself. Can't blame him for that. I wish him luck.
Melton is not somebody who built his career around having political power. The mayor's office was his for the taking in 1993 and 1997, and he never bothered to run back then when his victory would have been a sure thing. Only now, years after his real time in the spotlight, did he run. And since what he said about crime in this campaign was comparable to what he's always said about crime, I don't think he should be put in the same category as politicians who manipulate fear to gain political power. He has an honest agenda. Not a very detailed one, but I've had a lot of respect for the man for a very long time and I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Cheers,
TH
Posted by: Tom Head on May 12, 05 | 2:59 pm
OK, Rank. I wasn't actually feeling heavy, dude. Just responding to your attempt at an insultówhich it was if you read the whole thing. Don't worry, though: I'm not a grudge-holder, but I am the editor. So you're stuck with me if you keep coming around. ;-D
Yes, it's a "drinking game," which also works for non-drinkers.
We can be hopeful that, starting in July, there will be a much more effective approach to fighting crime.
We can hope. I wonder, though: do you know what it will be? Any ideas or specifics? We've been looking for months over here to figure just what Mr. Melton plans to do other than fire a police chief who has presided over a major drop in crime. Would love the poop if you're privy to it. He won't tell us.
Meanwhile, you still haven't named any of the crime-loving politicians or media.
That's easy, in the context of what I said: everyone from Ross Barnett to Haley Barbour to The Clarion-Ledger to anyone who would stoop low enough to make political hay out of crime, or to sensationalize it to help sell newspapers and/or raise ratings. This is a longstanding habit in the state, perfected back in the race demagogue days. But, the turnout last week showed it ain't working very well. It's not engaging many people.
Posted by: ladd on May 12, 05 | 3:04 pm
By the way, I think Chief Moore has gotten a bad rap but that he is not the right public face for the police department, however good he might be as an administrator. You do not say, as police chief, that perception of crime is a problem; it's okay for the mayor to say it, but police chiefs should be fixated on crime, troubled by crime, lose sleep over crime, and be convinced that, no matter how good things are, they should be oh so much better. If he wanted to be respected as chief, Moore should have believed that the sky is falling and prepare accordingly.
The more I think about it, the more I think that what killed the Johnson campaign was a lack of visible passion on the issue of crime. He might actually be better at solving the crime problem than Melton or Whitlow could ever be, but his attitude is of somebody who thinks the crime rate is acceptable and not something he should focus on. A majority of Jacksonians--black and white--disagree with that. This doesn't mean that we should wait until the crime problem is "solved" (crime is never solved; just reduced) before we develop downtown, but it does mean that if folks don't want to stick their businesses in downtown Jackson, it's not reasonable to suggest that our high crime rate might have something to do with that. I know I'd think twice before renting out an office on Pearl Street. Maybe that makes me a bad person, but that's the way it is.
Cheers,
TH
Posted by: Tom Head on May 12, 05 | 3:06 pm
*sigh* It's not UN-reasonable to suggest...[etc]. One of several grammar/style errors in my last two posts, but oh well--that''s what happens when I don't reread my posts before clicking "Submit."
Cheers,
TH
Posted by: Tom Head on May 12, 05 | 3:09 pm
I disagree with you on the "perception" issue, primarily because I was there for the context of what the chief said. But I can respect that believe believe that.
However, what I don't get is the character assassination the Clarion-Ledger is performing on the chief in public this week, with no real basis. The man is leaving, they've helped run him outówhy can't they just let it end in peace, and without destroying the man before he goes into retirement. I have lost an modicum of respect I had left for a single editor or columnist over there as a journalist this week. They are simply an embarassment.
Posted by: ladd on May 12, 05 | 3:09 pm
... that PEOPLE believe that ...
Posted by: ladd on May 12, 05 | 3:11 pm
Only now, years after his real time in the spotlight, did he run.
Why, I wonder, do y'all think Melton ran this year? I think it's an intriguing question.
And since what he said about crime in this campaign was comparable to what he's always said about crime, I don't think he should be put in the same category as politicians who manipulate fear to gain political power.
I would agree with you, Tom, if he was being up front and in front of the camera and trying to seek voters out and offering specific ideas. As it is, it looks like he tries to gain power (for some reasonn or another) using crime to get there. I'll believe something when he shows me something else.
Posted by: ladd on May 12, 05 | 3:19 pm
Why, I wonder, do y'all think Melton ran this year?
Short, easy answer: Enough moneyed GOPers convinced him he could win with their backing. (See Yerger telling election night cameras that he had been after Melton to run for 12 years.)
Not as short but still easy answer: He got a taste of public arena through the MBN and wanted more of it but in an office that wasn't subject to the will and pleasure of another office holder. (See his booting from MBN by Babar.)
Longer and not so easy because of the psychology: He was bored + see answers 1 and 2 + wanted to show he could run an office successfully (in spite of Babar's dismissal and with help of Babar supporters).
I'd like to hear more about the context--you did a story on this, didn't you...?
But I think the chief probably could have rescued himself from that previous bit by making some really assertive and blunt statements about crime. Moore is actually a law enforcement officer and Melton is not; if he had gone all John Walsh on us, it might have helped Johnson's campaign.
I, too, wonder why Melton picked this year to run. That's the biggest mystery to me. If you ever get an interview with him, I think that's the first thing you should ask. "Why 2005 when you could have easily swept the board in 1993 or 1997?"
Cheers,
TH
Posted by: Tom Head on May 12, 05 | 3:27 pm
GDI, your explanation is the most sensible I've heard. #2 was my working theory, but #1 and #3 also sound viable.
Cheers,
TH
Posted by: Tom Head on May 12, 05 | 3:29 pm
But I think the chief probably could have rescued himself from that previous bit by making some really assertive and blunt statements about crime.
Tom, do you really think the mass media would have reported them?? I've heard him make "assertive and blunt statements" about crime, and no one reported them. Frankly, he knows more about fighting crime than most of his critics. I'll take his opinion about it any day over Eric Stringfellow's.
I want someone who doesn't act like a Wild West cowboy. I've seen both styles of policing, and guess which one has been more effective. My early guess is that that will prove out once again in a few years. However, the Ledge will just keep reporting that the stats were faked without checking the facts, I suppose.
The context of the infamous April 2003 "perception" quote that got the Ledge going int he first place was an animated conversation between Chief Moore and a former reporter from the Ledge who was baiting him a bit. He was talking to her about why it is a problem when media over blow "perception of fear." Then his statements got distorted, lifted out of context and quoted into oblivion by the Ledge and then other media outlets. I was there. I know what he said. And I think what's the lamestream media have done with this perception circus is unconscinable.
I'm not saying Moore is perfect. What I am saying is that some people who know NOTHING about crime-fighting, and don't bother to try to learn anything that disputes their convention "wisdom," are assassinating a good man's character, and they should be ashamed of themselves. The Ledge is no better than blab-radio these days. Absolutely useless.
Posted by: ladd on May 12, 05 | 3:41 pm
That's not satisfying me, yet, GDI. Doesn't ring quite true to me. After all, he's already dodging the public and the media. He doesn't sound to me like he's going to enjoy being mayor. Why do you think he wants to be mayor?
Posted by: ladd on May 12, 05 | 3:45 pm
I don't think Melton should be put in the same category. I think he's frustrated wtih the crime problem, has been ever since he first came to Jackson, and wants to take a crack at solving it himself. Can't blame him for that. I wish him luck.
Agreed! That is one of the most concrete things anyone has said in support of Melton. We all wish him well for wanting to take it on. I will be behind him if he wins in June. That's being civic minded. But, I hope he comes out and tells some of these people, who claim to be leaders and media figures, to take notes and calm down because we are not going to allow any misconceptions about Jackson to come from his administration - especially in the police force. Most are in agreement that Johnson's administration didn't get his message out well enough about the city's progress nor was he able to control the misconceptions put forth without it looking like he was weak on crime, slow, to much planning, etc... I don't want that to happen to Jackson again, not when it is looking up for once around here.
Posted by: tortoise on May 12, 05 | 3:46 pm
he's already dodging the public and the media. He doesn't sound to me like he's going to enjoy being mayor.
No he wonít enjoy it if those pesky reporters and citizens keep bugging him. You know how bad they can be for smooth administration, but if he can insolate himself while governing to the same extent that he has insulated himself while campaigning, he will have a fine time playing Caesar.
Now if he could just abolish or reduce the council seatsÖ
Or maybe a Jackson Council version of Rooseveltís court packing scheme?
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