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Editor's Note
As Shepard Lay Dying
Local theater man John Maxwell could not have known when he decided to stage "The Laramie Project" in downtown Jackson at Galloway Methodist Church just how impeccable his timing would …
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Combat Vehicles in East Ukraine Fly Russian Flag
A column of armored vehicles flying Russian flags drove into a Ukrainian city controlled by pro-Russia insurgents Wednesday, dampening the central government's hopes of re-establishing control over restive eastern Ukraine.
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35 Years After Flood, River Still Menaces Jackson
Pearl River's waters flooded parts of Jackson and surrounding areas in 1979 in a deluge that paralyzed the city and led to the evacuation of 15,000 people. Now, 35 years …
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Official IDs Supremacist as Kansas Attacks Suspect
The man accused of killing three people in attacks at a Jewish community center and Jewish retirement complex near Kansas City is a well-known white supremacist and former Ku Klux …
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Sentencing Date Set in Miss. Poisoned Letters Case
A federal judge has set a May 14 sentencing date for a Mississippi man who pleaded guilty to making ricin and sending letters dusted with the poison to President Barack …
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A Blank Look, Followed by Bloodshed at High School
Alex Hribal was charged Wednesday night with four counts of attempted homicide and 21 counts of aggravated assault and jailed without bail. Authorities said he would be prosecuted as an …
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Film
‘Budapest Hotel’ is a Grand Time
The rare talent of writer/director Wes Anderson is back at work with his latest film, "The Grand Budapest Hotel."
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Theater
Fireworks on the Fourth of July
The Miss Firecracker Contest serves as the backdrop in Jackson native Beth Henley's play of the same name.
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Style
Lullaby and Good Night
A 2013 National Sleep Foundation study reported that 67 percent of respondents said they don't get enough sleep, especially on workdays, and a lack of sleep can affect us dramatically.
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Style
Singalong Soiree
The Unframed series at New Stage Theatre offers quirkier, more controversial or offbeat modern fare to balance the selections in the Main Stage season, such as the recent “Musical of …
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Cover
A Brief History of Oysters
Opening an oyster bar in Fondren has given me a great opportunity to get reacquainted with an old friend.
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Civil Rights
Jackson: An LGBT Sanctuary?
Chokwe Lumumba, the late mayor of Jackson, once described Jackson as a new justice frontier, one that acknowledges that the city's diversity is its strength.
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Music
Holly Williams: A Southern Daughter
With powerful songwriting and catchy guitar rifts, Holly Williams' music is relatable to an array of people.
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Biz Roundup
Welcoming LGBT Customers, Zoo Brew and Bulldog Barkade
Campbell's Bakery owner Mitchell Moore created a Facebook page where business owners can sign up and make a public stance that they are not going to discriminate against LGBT customers …
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City & County
Mayor Candidates Make Final Pitches
Seven of the top contenders for Jackson mayor made last pitches to a television audience Friday night at Mississippi College School of Law in an event that differed from recent …
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Harvey Johnson Responds to JFP HUD Article and Councilman Melvin Priester Jr.
By Donna LaddJohnson sent this statement this morning, in response to this recent JFP article. It's pasted here verbatim:
STATEMENT OF HARVEY JOHNSON REGARDING JACKSON FREE PRESS ARTICLE Having read the article in the Jackson Free Press, “Repayment of HUD Funds Emerges as Election Issue, ” I was struck by the poor attempt at political hay being made by our new councilman from Ward 2 on a matter that he should be fighting to resolve in favor of the citizens rather than quickly agreeing to write an astronomical check to a federal agency over a questionable dispute.
As a former mayor and an advisor to Mississippi towns for 40 years, I have on many occasions had disagreements with HUD about their interpretations of CDBG regulations. I have worked in and with the CDBG program since its inception in 1975, and I am therefore thoroughly familiar with the program’s objectives.
When it comes to HUD and other federal agencies, I have found that the best approach when there are questions of interpretation or disputes of facts is to vigorously negotiate and take advantage of the administrative appeal process, even if it means meeting with the HUD Secretary or the White House, to achieve a satisfactory resolution. I have gotten federal officials to change their positions entirely or greatly reduce the amounts of money in dispute.
The letter from the city to HUD referenced in the news article appears to be the culmination of a negotiation process lasting only three months, which is an extremely short period of time to resolve a dispute with HUD involving that many issues. In my mind, conceding so early and for such a large dollar amount reflects a lack of experience and understanding in dealing with HUD programs by the person or persons who, rather than stand up to the HUD bureaucracy, chose the easy path to turn over local taxpayer money , while blaming the whole thing on the guy out of office. Such an approach is a bad precedent for the city. We certainly don’t want some bureaucrat thinking he can shake us from our lunch money, just because he thinks he can.
My decision in connection with this matter would have been to refrain from throwing in the towel so quickly by casually writing a check from the city’s general fund made payable to HUD. During my previous administration the city was not intimidated by federal bureaucrats acting contrary to the best interest of our local citizens. I will bring that same determination to my next administration.
As far as I can tell, the Council has not yet voted on making payment to HUD. I encourage the Council to hold up doing so until the new mayor is sworn in this month, who hopefully will be someone with the knowledge and experience and leadership traits that will protect our taxpayers from bureaucratic overreach.
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City & County
Is Jackson the State's Next LGBT Rights Frontier?
With recent actions of Mississippi lawmakers and other statewide policymakers that could lead to wider discrimination against LGBT individuals, cities are leading the way for protection of LGBT rights.
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Food
Barbecue Bliss
Fondren's new barbecue palace is open and eager to set itself apart in the Jackson culinary world.
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Do It for Jackson
We have to stop giving ground and begin to stand firm on our belief that Jackson will win.
