Jackson Free Press

Jackson Public Schools will see a $3.63 million increase in funding from the city in the upcoming school year.

Regional picks the week...

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba is attempting to end his representation of another client, Reggae star Buju Banton, in Tampa, Fla.

The withdrawal comes on the heels of the news from Oktibbeha County, where Lumumba last week relinquished his role in the murder case against Archie Quinn, which was scheduled to begin Monday. Lumumba first filed a motion with the court saying his duties as mayor were too burdensome to continue his representation of Mr. Quinn, but that request was denied by the court. He then raised health concerns, according to an account in the Starkville Daily News.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, Banton, born Mark Myrie, is serving a 10-year prison sentence for helping set up a deal to buy and sell 11 pounds of cocaine.

Lumumba had already won Banton the dismissal of a gun charge and left one juror facing a misconduct charge for researching the case during trial.

Lumumba and Imhotep Alkebu-lan, his recent appointment as special assistant to the city attorney, both filed a motion Wednesday in U.S. District Court to withdraw, stating that their new duties "will prevent them from representing him in future proceedings."

Those requests were referred to a magistrate judge.

Hood announced today that has joined a bipartisan coalition of 49 state attorneys general calling on the U.S. Congress to amend the Communications Decency Act.

The city of Jackson has issued two precautionary boil-water notices due to loss of water pressure during water-main repair.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba maintains that he is well enough to lead Jackson for the next four years, despite an article that appeared in Wednesday's edition of the Clarion-Ledger bringing his health into question.

Reporters raised questions Lumumba's health during the mayoral race, and notions that his well-being would interfere with his mayoral duties were dismissed by the campaign as rumors. But last week, the 65-year-old Jackson mayor withdrew himself from representing Archie Quinn, who is accused of killing Stacey Gray, 35, of Oktibbeha County, reportedly for medical reasons.

The Ledger article leaned heavily on the reporting of the Starkville Daily News, which reported that Lumumba withdrew for medical reasons, citing a "serious medical examination" scheduled for this week. The newspaper also reported that Lumumba had previously tried to resign from the case, citing a hefty workload from his new gig as mayor. Those motions were denied by Judge Lee Howard, who refused comment for the story.

Reached by phone Wednesday morning, Lumumba's press secretary Latrice Westbrooks released this statement, which also appeared in the Ledger article.

"Mayor Lumumba is healthy and while he dispelled any questions or concerns regarding his health, he, as anyone, has routine medical examinations, check-ups and consultations which are private. There is nothing that was stated during the Archie Quinn case that would indicate that he is nothing short of healthy and fit to serve the people of Jackson."

Lumumba beat prostate cancer in 2000, and has fully recovered from a bout with pneumonia, which landed him in the hospital last year.

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

“I am pleased by Humana’s decision to extend coverage to the 36 counties in Mississippi that were originally excluded from Mississippi’s health exchange."

Yes concert review...

A few shows that are happening outside of our area might be worth a road trip:

Oxford and Ole Miss will host the Blues & BBQ Festival on 7/18-20. Lots of artists and food will be on hand.

If the jam-band scene is your thing, you're probably heading over to Birmingham/Pelham at the Oak Mountain Ampitheatre for Widespread Panic as they bring two shows on 7/19-20.

Birmingham's WorkPlay will also host The Psychedelic Furs on 7/22.

TB

http://jacksonfreepress.com/users/photos/2013/jul/17/12686/

Jackson area residents can now support one of the city's important nonprofits without a second thought .

New music out on 7/16...

From a Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame release:

Ben Puckett, a businessman and philanthropist who was passionate about Mississippi sports, will receive the second annual Rube Award at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum’s 51induction banquet August 2.

The Rube Award, named for long-time Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum executive director Michael Rubenstein, goes annually to a person whose love and passion for — and contributions to — Mississippi sports have made a meaningful difference. Mississippi baseball legend Boo Ferriss won the first Rube Award.

The award’s winner is selected by the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum’s Board of Directors.

Puckett, who died on June 2, spearheaded Mississippi’s Olympic efforts for 26 years. He served as the United States Olympic Committee Mississippi State Chairman for 16 years and as co-chairman for another 10 years. The Ben Puckett family has sponsored the Olympic Room in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum since the shrine opened on July 4, 1996. In 1996, Puckett led a successful effort to have international Olympic teams come to Mississippi to train for the Atlanta Olympic Games.

Cal Wells, a Jackson attorney and long-time friend of Puckett’s remembers Ben’s passion for life and the Olympics.

“Ben had an energy level that was unbelievable; nobody could keep up with him,” Wells said. “I think his love for the Olympics went back to the first games he attended in 1968 at Mexico City. He loved the competition. He was a competitor himself and he loved watching great athletes compete.”

Puckett was a Mississippi State graduate and a huge supporter of Mississippi State athletics. Said long-time Mississippi State athletic director Larry Templeton, “Mississippi State was his school, and he was proud of it, and he was 100 percent behind us all the time. He was a great fan, one that never complained and always wanted to help. He made his contributions behind the scene. He didn't want publicity; he just wanted to make us better.”

Ben Puckett also gave his time and his money to support high school sports and the YMCA.

Tickets to the August 2 induction banquet are available by calling (601) 982-8264. Joining the late Rubenstein as inductees in the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2013 will be Bill Buckner, Jimmie Giles, Gerald Glass, Larry “Doc” Harrington and Langston Rogers.

The Hinds County Republican Party said it will also hold a primary election for two seats on the Board of Supervisors.

The county GOP primary will take place Sept. 24 with a runoff on Oct. 8 if necessary. Candidates must qualify by submitting a qualifying form and $15 fee by Friday, July 26 in either the Jackson or Raymond courthouses. The general election is Nov. 5 to replace Doug Anderson, who died earlier this year, and Phil Fisher, who stepped dow to be mayor of Clinton. Anderson represented District 2 and Fisher represented District 4.

Republicans decided to hold a primary only after county Democrats announced plans for primary yesterday, said Hinds County Republican Party Chairman Pete Perry in a statement. Perry said special elections are typically nonpartisan.

On July 1, supervisors temporarily filled the open seats. Al Hunter, owner of contracting firm First Construction Inc., who lives in Edwards, took over for Anderson. Dr. Robert Walker, Vicksburg's first black mayor and now a Byram resident, replaced Fisher.

Walker's appointment also gives all five board seats to African Americans, which has drawn criticism from whites and Republicans because Hinds County's white minority is currently with representation on the board.

The District 4 seat is considered safe for Republicans.

Regional Picks for 7/11 - 7/17

The Hinds County Democratic Executive Committee has set the date for elections to fill two spots on the Hinds County Board of Supervisors.

A special election will be held this fall to replace Doug Anderson, who died earlier this year, and Phil Fisher, who stepped dow to be mayor of Clinton. Anderson represented District 2 and Fisher represented District 4.

A Democratic primary will take place Tuesday, Sept. 24; a runoff, if necessary, will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

On July 1, supervisors temporarily filled the open seats. Al Hunter, owner of contracting firm First Construction Inc., who lives in Edwards, took over for Anderson. Dr. Robert Walker, Vicksburg's first black mayor and now a Byram resident, replaced Fisher.

The candidate qualifying deadline for the Democratic primary is 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 25. Candidates must submit a qualifying form and a $15 fee with the Hinds County Circuit Clerk's office before the deadline. Candidates do not need to file a petition to run for the seats.

"In the modern two-party system, voters expect to know which party the candidates support. Far too often candidates hide behind the "independent" label, or run under false colors, in order to play both sides. In Hinds County, Democrats demand our right under the law to elect our nominees in a primary and to support our nominees in the general election. The party will both support our nominees and hold them accountable once elected. That's the way an effective two-party system works," said Hinds County Democratic Executive Committee Chairperson Jacqueline Amos-Norris in a press release.

The Mississippi Republican Party has not announced a primary schedule for the Hinds County open slots.

The Jackson City Council really got the ball rolling on its new term Monday afternoon by kicking the can on two important issues - the confirmation of Lumumba's selection of fire and police chief - not one week, but two weeks down the road.

Council President Charles Tillman, Ward 4, set a public hearing for Thursday, July 18, at 6:30 p.m. for citizens to come out and let their voices be heard on the appointment of Lindsey Horton and Willie Owens as police and fire chief, respectively. Mayor Chokwe Lumumba held a press conference to introduce the duo minutes before the council meeting began.

When asked by Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon, Ward 7, why the delay of a vote was necessary, Tillman said he was going to "be accommodating" to the council members who were not present who said they wanted to be a part of the process.

The two absent members were Quentin Whitwell, Ward 1, who was attending a Mississippi Bar Association Convention and LaRita Cooper-Stokes, Ward 3, who does not attend special meetings of the council on principle.

Tillman ended the meeting by saying he should have his committee appointments done by next week, at the latest, and said he's excited about how efficient this council is going to be.

The good news: Tillman approved Cooper-Stokes' seating arrangement proposal, and the council now sits in the correct order - from 1 to 7 – except seats 4 and 5 are flipped so the president can sit in the middle. (So the order is now 1-2-3-5-4-6-7.) Perhaps next, the council can get its priorities in order.

A temporary ban on a new state law will remain in effect at least through the end of this week.

A group of law enforcement officials, state lawmakers and advocates had successfully sued to prevent a law that clarifies when individuals need to have a permit to carry weapons. Attorneys from the state argued that the law was only a minor change from the existing statute, and should be allow to go into effect. The Mississippi State Supreme Court refused to get involved with the case for procedural reasons.

Today, arguing for plaintiffs, attorney Lisa Ross asked Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Winston Kidd to strike down the law--House Bill 2--as "unconstitutionally vague." Ross invoked the recent shooting at Jackson Police Department headquarters in which a murder suspect disarmed and killed veteran Det. Eric Smith.

"If someone can take a gun from an officer, just imagine what could happen if they had their own gun," Ross said in court.

Jerry Moore, a Hinds County constable and Jackson police officer, was called as a witness. Moore called enforcing the law confusing.

Assistant Attorney General Harold Pizzetta said state law already does not prohibit open carrying of firearms and other weapons and that the new law only makes it clear that individuals must obtain a state permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Kidd said he would leave his previously issued temporary restraining order in place until Friday, July 12.

Some select new releases for 7/9...

According to a press release from the desks of U.S. Attorney Greg Davis and Hinds County Sheriff Tyrone Lewis, a police impersonator is contacting metro area residents claiming to be a Hinds County Sheriff's Deputy.

The release says the impersonator is demanding social security and drivers license numbers, and telling people if they do not turn over the information, they will face immediate arrest. Davis and Lewis warn that these types of calls are not being made by law enforcement agencies, and advising that you should never give out any identification information over the telephone to someone you do not know and trust, even if they claim to be a police officer.

The case is being investigated by the Hinds County Sheriff's office and the U.S. Secret Service. If you have been contacted by someone you believe to be an identity thief, or if you have any information about the scam, you are encouraged to call the sheriff's office at (601) 974-2900 or the U.S. Secret Service at (601) 965-4436.