Jackson Free Press

If you work downtown, or just like to be there, you now have another option for lunch. Every Friday until Oct. 9, local food trucks will be at Smith Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for We Are Jackson Food Truck Friday. If you need another reason to check it out, each Friday will have a DJ. This Friday, Sept. 11, DJ Kool Aid of WRBJ 97.7 FM will be there, and the food trucks will be Hog Heaven, LurnyD's Grille, Small Town Hotdogs and Pop Culture Ice Pops. For more information, contact Shelia Byrd, the director of communications for Mayor Tony Yarber, at 601-960-2324.

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Here's a great way to contribute to a great cause while also keeping shopping local in mind: today, Sept. 10, and tomorrow, Sept. 11, Thimblepress is teaming up with Tennessee business Little Things Studio and other small businesses around the country to aid Syrian refugees. If you shop Thimblepress online today and tomorrow, the store will donate all proceeds to World Relief, which is working with refugees who are fleeing from the violence in Syria. For more information, visit littlethingstudio.com or worldrelief.org.

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Statement from Jackson's Department of Public Works:

Due to unforeseen, external conditions impacting raw water intake at the O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plant, the water in the distribution system has a slightly brown appearance. The Department of Public Works’ lab resources have reviewed the water quality and with further consultation from the Mississippi Department of Health, the water from the plant has been deemed safe for consumption.

Crews are in the process of flushing the lines to improve the aesthetic of the water and will continue the mitigation process through the weekend. The water is clearing up and full improvement is expected by early next week.

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At a noon press conference at Mississippi Republican headquarters, the state party took the sheet off its newest additions: Seven county-level officials who were elected as Democrats officially joined the Republican Party. According to the Mississippi GOP, those officials include:

State Rep. Earle Banks, D-Jackson, just sent out a press release announcing his intention to run for Mississippi Supreme Court Justice in District 1, which Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. now represents.

Kobe Bryant was asked this week if he thought this current USA Men's Basketball team was better than the 1992 Dream Team. Bryant gave his thoughts to the question:

"Well, just from a basketball standpoint, they obviously have a lot more size than we do — you know, with [David] Robinson and [Patrick] Ewing and [Karl] Malone and those guys," Bryant said. "But they were also — some of those wing players — were also a lot older, at kind of the end of their careers. We have just a bunch of young racehorses, guys that are eager to compete."

"So I don't know," Bryant continued, the trace of a smile beginning to play its way across his face. "It'd be a tough one, but I think we'd pull it out."

Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley were quick to stand up for the '92 squad, saying their Olympic team would have beaten this current team. Both were members of the one of the best basketball teams ever assembled.

The great thing about sports is debating ideas or topics we will never know the answer too. Kobe's comments does lead to a great debate.

Could any member of the '92 squad have guarded LeBron James? In like token, could any member of this squad guard Jordan?

Would Magic Johnson and Larry Bird hold up against a squad more talented than any they faced on the way to gold medal in 1992? Could this current team handle the size and skill of two centers like Patrick Ewing and David Robinson?

Here is the roster for the '92 team:

Michael Jordan

Scottie Pippen

Larry Bird

Magic Johnson

Charles Barkley

David Robinson

Patrick Ewing

John Stockton

Karl Malone

Chris Mullin

Clyde Drexler

Christian Laettner

The current squad is made up of:

LeBron James

Russel Westbrook

Kevin Durant

Kobe Bryant

Carmelo Anthony

Kevin Love

Chris Paul

James Harden

Andre Iguodala

Deron Williams

Tyson Chandler

Blake Griffin* (Griffin injured his knee and could be replaced by Anthony Davis)

I have watched players from both teams play and both teams have talented players. Still, there is no question in my mind, the original Dream Team would beat the current one.

No player on the current squad had the drive to win like Jordan, Magic and Bird. The '92 team was made up of 11 future Hall of Famers.

The biggest reason the '92 squad would win is because of Jordan. No one, and I mean no one, closes a game like he did and willed his teams to victory in his prime.

Let the debate begin! Who do you think would win between these two talented rosters?

Our fair city ranks as one of the most generous cities in the United States.

Twice this week the unthinkable has happened in Mississippi.

First, Ole Miss rallies back and upsets the Crimson Tide.

Now, Republican state Rep. Andy Gipson is acceding on the issue of marriage equality.

Gipson, a Baptist minister and attorney from Braxton, told the Clarion-Ledger for a story today: "I am opposed to same-sex marriage, but I believe the time has come for people of faith in Mississippi to prepare for the overturning of our constitutional ban on it."

Gipson is one of the Legislature's most conservative members, having introduced legislation in recent years aimed at undocumented immigrants and abortion rights—including a (successful) fetal heartbeat bill and a (successful) 20-week abortion ban.

In 2012, Gipson came under fire for referencing Bible passages implying that gay people be put to death. The remarks came in response to President Barack Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage after years of waffling on the question. Gipson called same-sex marriage "horrific social policy," adding:

"Unnatural behavior which results in disease, not the least of which is its high association with the development and spread of HIV/AIDS; 2) Confusing behavior which is harmful to children who have a deep need to understand the proper role of men and women in society and the important differences between men and women, and fathers and mothers; and 3) Undermines the longstanding definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, a definition which has been key to all aspects of social order and prosperity."

Gipson isn't exactly endorsing marriage equality, but the fact that he appears to be telling fellow evangelical conservatives to save their energy fighting gay marriage.

Calling recent federal court decisions affirming gay marriage "the writing on the wall," Gipson said:

“It’s coming. People of religious conviction need to be processing what this means for the culture, and how we will respond to these issues in coming years – how we will maintain our religious convictions in this environment.”

Of course, Gipson is absolutely correct. More people today support marriage equality than don't; this is especially true of young people.

Through a news release, Rob Hill, the Mississippi state director of the Human Rights Campaign and a former pastor said: “Like Rep. Gipson, I am a person of faith, and our faith teaches that we are all God’s children. We also believe in the Golden Rule, to treat others as we would treat ourselves. ... These conversations are not easy and we welcome the opportunity to meet with Rep. Gipson to discuss ways to make our state inclusive for all Mississippians.”

The Mississippi Blues Marathon takes place this Saturday, January 9, 2017, throughout Greater Jackson. As a result, some streets will be closed and some intersections make take time to get across.

Former city employee Francis Smith will officially announce his candidacy for mayor of Jackson Sat., March 2 at 1 p.m. at 5472 Watkins Drive, Suite A.

The Jackson Free Press interviewed Smith about his candidacy in February. The interview will be available soon in print and at JFP.ms.

A U.S. Navy veteran and pastor, Smith is joining a crowded field that already includes the incumbent mayor, two city councilmen, two local business men, an attorney and a former police officer.

The press release announcing the event called Smith "A man with vision to press Jackson upward by moving forward — without looking backward."

For more information concerning Smith's candidacy, call 601-209-5980 or visit francissmithformayor.com

Regional picks the week...

An unmarked package delivered to Jackson Women's Health Organization Tuesday afternoon caused a few minutes of panic and prompted the Jackson Police Department to respond by sending the bomb squad and several police cars.

JWHO, the only abortion clinic in the state, called police to report the package, according to JPD Commander John McGowan, who was still on the scene at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

"It was an unmarked package that was delivered some time early this afternoon," McGowan said. "It was not properly marked, and the people at the clinic did the right thing and called the police. We had the package x-rayed, and it turned out to be some homemade chocolates."

McGowan said the false alarm is the first call they've had in "quite a while" at the clinic.

The city of Jackson has announced that a portion of South Medgar Evers Boulevard will be closed for the next three days. The closure starts at the intersection known as Freedom Corner, at Medgar Evers and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and continues south to Pocahontas Street at Society Ridge Baptist Church.

Public Works crews are working to repair a broken water valve, and it's expected to take three days, weather permitting. Detour signs, they say, will be posted.

While this can be considered inconvenient, we've been lucky, so far, despite the constant below-freezing temperatures that have gripped the Jackson over the last 48 hours. A similar freeze in 2010 burst pipes all over the city and forced repairs all over the city.

Three more candidates have submitted paperwork to run in the April 8 special election for mayor of Jackson.

Last week, the first to file their documents were Albert Wilson and Francis P. Smith — both of whom sought offices last year — and Kenneth Swarts.

The latest information from municipal Clerk Brenda Pree shows that Ward 6 Councilman Tony Yarber and Ward 2 Councilman Melvin Priester Jr. have also filed papers.

Gwendolyn Ward Osborne Chapman, who also submitted her name in the 2013 Democratic primary for mayor, will also appear on the ballot again.

Candidates have until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, to file with Pree's office.

The Mississippi State Department of Health if offering lead testing for children on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until further notice at the Hinds County Health Department located at the Jackson Medical Mall, 350 W. Woodrow Wilson, Suite 411. No appointment is needed.

This service is only provided for children 6 months to 5 years old who regularly consume water from the City of Jackson water system.

The cost of lead testing will be covered by Medicaid, MS CAN (Magnolia and United) and CHIP recipients. For children not covered by those programs, lead testing costs $30.

Parents with children 5 years or younger should contact their child's pediatrician or primary care provider to determine whether lead screening may be needed for their children.

The nation is rejoicing the return of the regular officials after the NFL and the NFLRA came to agreement on a new labor deal last night. NFL fans no longer have to see the replacement officials on the field or their TV screen this week. Thank goodness, the regular officials have returned. Now, NO team in the NFL will receive a terrible call, or a bad penalty, or an atrocious ball spot for the rest of the season.

Jackson mayoral hopeful Jonathan Lee hit the airwaves last night with the premier of his television spot, now he's released a 14-page brochure—a prospectus, if you will—you can find here.

In it, Lee discusses, sometimes in detail, his plan to tackle crime, employment and economic development, infrastructure and education.

Lee has taken heat in recent debates, albeit indirectly, for being a DINO (a Democrat in name-only). But Lee has pushed back, saying his voting record speaks for itself, saying at the last mayoral forum, ending his closing remarks with "At the end of the day, these potholes don't have a party affiliation."

Democratic nominee for the mayor's office Chokwe Lumumba has filed a general election campaign finance report, which you can read here.

Councilman Lumumba has raised $71,614 since April 28, and spent $74,696 in that same period, leaving him with $15,333 in the tank headed into the June 4 general election against three independent candidates.

Year-to-date, Lumumba has raised $140,367 and spent $133,988.

Some of his biggest contributors on this report are Samuel L. Agnew of Baton Rouge, La. ($15,000), SJG Consultants Inc. of Greenville ($8,000), Winston Thompson III of Madison ($5,000) and a "G. Williams" of Ridgeland ($5,000).

If Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann has his way, Magnolia State voters will be required to show photo identification to vote, and it could start as early as 2014.

Hosemann, seizing on the U.S. Supreme Court decision last week to strike down the Voting Rights Act of 1965, is looking to push forward on a voter ID law that was rejected by the federal government in 2011. Now that the Voting Rights Act is null and void, Mississippi is free to set whatever laws it sees fit. Free photo identification is available through the circuit clerk's office.

The Secretary of State is currently soliciting comments from members of the public who have questions or concerns. You can reach the office at (601) 359-1350 or go online and visit the Secretary of State web site at www.sos.ms.gov.

Several new releases are due for 7/23...