Jackson Free Press

There's usually plenty to do on Fridays in Jackson, and if you are like me, you're going to have a tough time deciding exactly which of these awesome events to attend:

• The city of Jackson is celebrating National Night Out on Friday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at City Hall to increase crime prevention awareness. Here's the kicker: Jackson State University's Sonic Boom of the South will lead the "Confidence March Against Crime" from Smith Park to City Hall, beginning at 11 a.m.

• The Jackson premiere of the documentary film "SubSIPPI" from the creative minds of Greg Gandy, Vincent Chaney, & Lauren Cioffi is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Mississippi Museum of Art. Make sure to check out the trailer here. It's free to attend and it's on the lawn outside, so make sure to bring a blanket on which to sit.

• Jackson Prep (4-1) is riding high coming off last week's 19-13 win over Madison-Ridgeland Academy, but they are in for a real test when the country boys from Bassfield, Mississippi's 2-A reigning champs, roll into town for a public-versus-private-school matchup. Prep is a much bigger school with more players on its football team, but they'll hardly be able to keep step with the speed of one of Mississippi's best prep teams. Should be one for the ages.

It appears the Eastland Courthouse on East Capitol Street is getting a renovation and a re-purposing. The JFP received this press release (printed here, unedited) earlier this morning:

Tuesday, the developers of the historic Eastland Courthouse unveiled plans to renovate and reopen the 115,000 square foot building as a modern residential complex. With construction already underway, the development, named Capitol & West, is set to open in 2014 and will feature more than 50 residential units, a fine dining restaurant and bar, and first floor commercial space.

Capitol & West is located in the historic Smith Park Architectural District and is in the cultural, governmental, and business center of Downtown Jackson at 245 East Capitol Street.

“Capitol & West speaks to the soul of what this great city is about. This development’s uniqueness, high quality, and rich history set the standard for Downtown living. You can’t get this anywhere else. You have to come to Capitol & West,” said Jason Goree, lead developer.

The first unit buildout is expected to be completed in the spring of 2014 with the entire project completed later that fall. Residents will be able to choose from plans that include one-bedroom, two-bedroom and studio apartments with one to two baths. All apartments are retaining the fine materials and historical features significant to the building, but are being updated with contemporary finishings.

“We’re extremely excited about Capitol & West,” said David Pharr of Team Jackson. “This unique development is an important piece of the puzzle of Downtown’s resurgence. With more residents moving Downtown, it’s only a matter of time before more cultural amenities follow. Capitol & West is a big momentum boost.”

The total cost of the project is $20 million.

Capitol & West is being developed by local attorneys Tom Tardy, Marcy Croft, Jason Watkins, and Developer Jason Goree.

Duvall Decker is the architect of record.

Chris Albritton Construction Company, Inc. is the general contractor.

Here is the list of events scheduled for Lumumba's inauguration celebration, which will apparently last four days:

Friday, June 28, 2013 Kick-off celebration (3 p.m. - 7 p.m.) - Smith Park

Saturday, June 29, 2013 Ward 2 celebration (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.) - Presidential Hills, Ward 3 celebration (Noon - 3 p.m.) - Grove Park, Ward 4 celebration (2 p.m. - 5 p.m.) - Westside Park, Wards 5 & 7 celebration (4 p.m. - 7 p.m.) - Battlefield Park

Sunday, June 30, 2013 Ward 1 celebration (1 p.m.-4 p.m.) - Parham Bridges, Ward 6 celebration (3 p.m. - 6 p.m.) - Leavell Woods Park

Monday, July 1, 2013 Inaugural prayer service ( 8 a.m.) - Word and Worship Church, Oath of office ceremony & reception (Noon) - Jackson Convention Complex, The People's Inaugural Celebration (7 p.m. - 11 p.m.) - Jackson Convention Complex

No word on music for the People's Inaugural Celebration, but here's to hoping it's as good as the election-night entertainment at the Clarion Hotel with Southern Komfort Brass Band.

Former mayoral candidate and Chokwe Lumumba supporter Regina Quinn contacted two of the three independent candidates asking them to drop out of the June 4 general election to select Jackson's next mayor.

Councilman Chokwe Lumumba won the Democratic runoff earlier this week, defeating businessman Jonathan Lee by more than 3,000 votes.

Friday morning, Quinn released this statement to the JFP:

"After witnessing the brutal run-off between Mr. Lee and Mr. Lumumba, I came to the conclusion that the City had had enough and needed to start the healing process sooner rather than later. Therefore, I contacted two of the three independent candidates to see if they agreed with me that it would be best for the City of Jackson to acknowledge that with 20,000 plus votes people had decided who they wanted as their next mayor, and that it was now time to start healing. If I erred, it was an error of the head but not of the heart."

"Apparently, the healing process will have to wait until June 4, 2013," she added.

The independent candidates are Francis P. Smith Jr., Cornelius Griggs and Richard C. Williams Jr.

In a week that can't get any better, not even an story on an endorsement can be lame.

The Jackson Police Officers Association announced yesterday their endorsement of mayoral candidate and former south Jackson business owner Jonathan Lee.

Lee was hailed by that group's president, Earnest Perry, as a "visionary" and "a strong leader with a willingness to work with local and state government."

Reached by phone on Monday, Perry backed up sentiment in the groups press release that the interview process was thorough, and that five candidates (Lee, Regina Quinn, Robert Amos, Chokwe Lumumba and Harvey Johnson, Jr.) were interviewed. He called Johnson's interview "intensive."

The problem is, Earnest Perry is not a police officer. He was a JPD detective until 2009, when then-chief Malcolm McMillan transferred him because he violated city policy regarding Fuelman, though no charges were ever filed against him.

In response to the JPOAs endorsement announcement Monday, the campaign to re-elect Harvey Johnson, Jr. released this statement minutes ago:

"Recently, our campaign, along with other candidates for mayor, was invited to meet with the Jackson Police Officer Association (JPOA). The meeting was presided over by a person who is no longer an active police officer and recently separated from the department. The tone of the meeting made me very uncomfortable, as it became clear that in order to receive an endorsement of my candidacy, I would have to specifically agree to change the command staff and management at JPD. It is not unreasonable to believe that the candidate for mayor that the group endorsed agreed to those demands. As Mayor and as a candidate for mayor I simply cannot permit the sound administration of JPD to become the product of a backroom political deal.

"JPOA is not the same organization I have known and recognized over the years. It is now comprised of less than 10% of JPD’s rank and file officers. A disproportionate number of the officers in this group, having been disciplined for various infractions, appear to be disgruntled with the more rigorous standards implemented by our command staff. The vast number of officers, however, are successfully meeting the challenges associated with a large paramilitary organization operating in an urban environment. This administration will continue to strive to make JPD the best law enforcement agency in the region by insuring that our officers are well trained, equipped, compensated, and likewise treated fairly in their work assignments."

On Monday, Perry described the group that did the interviews as "very diverse," and said it was made up of 10 panelists from various backgrounds, including a fire department union member, a city worker union member, a neighborhood watch president, and local businessmen and lawyers.

Lee did not immediately return phone calls Tuesday afternoon.

[From Jackson Director of Communications Chris Mims]

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr. announced this morning that the Jackson Police Department Family is having a candlelight vigil on the steps of Jackson Police Department Headquarters, Thursday evening at 6 p.m. for fallen officer Eric T. Smith. The vigil will celebrate the life of Detective Smith and his eighteen years of service to the Jackson Police Department and the citizens of Jackson.

“We ask you to continue to keep the Smith family, his friends and the Jackson Police Department lifted in prayer,” said Police Chief Rebecca Coleman.

The Smith Family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Eric T. Smith Charity Fund that has been set up through Trustmark National Bank. Citizens may also make donations to the Jackson Police Department’s Youth Police Athletic League (PAL), through the Jackson Police Foundation Inc., Post Office Box 80, Jackson, MS 39205, noting: In Memory of Eric Smith for Youth Police Athletic League. The PAL program is a youth crime prevention program that relies on education, athletic and other recreational activities creating bonds between police officers and the youth in our community. The PAL Program is available for children from ages 6 to 15 years of age.

A criminal investigation is being conducted by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations. Additionally, an Internal Investigation is being conducted by the Internal Affairs Division to into any policy or procedural violations. Both investigations are progressing.

“We realize that there are questions relating to details surrounding this tragic incident. However, at this point both investigations have not concluded,” said Mayor Johnson. “We will be prepared to share as much information as possible once the investigations are complete. A news conference will be called and officials will be made available to answer questions early next week.”

Funeral Services for Detective Eric Smith will be held, Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Athletic Assembly Center located at Jackson State University.

“In the remaining days before the interment we ask for the media’s cooperation in allowing Detective Smith’s family, his law enforcement family and citizens of Jackson time to mourn his death and celebrate his life,” said Mayor Johnson.