Here’s an interesting story from the C-L today about Melton wanting to hire ex-Chief Jim Black to help at the police department.
Melton said in June that he wanted Black’s help and that he would seek council approval to hire Black for one year. Black said after initially meeting with Melton and drawing up a one-year contract, he went to Anderson’s office. Black said the chief told him she did not know Melton had decided to hire him. Black said the mayor told him Anderson had been told. “She was pretty devastated, I think, that I was down there,” Black said. “And I got the impression of not being wanted.”
Melton said he may not have told Anderson that he was hiring Black, and if that was the case, he should have.
Oh yeah, the second part of topic headline should read: Then Melton Punk’d Jim Black!
Black says he is still willing to help Melton. But because the mayor didn’t return his calls, Black said he thought Melton had changed his mind about hiring him. If so, he said he wishes the mayor would have told him.
“It just really (angers me) to be treated that way,” Black said. “At least somebody could have had the courtesy to call me and tell me what happened.”
What’s that old saying about “Fool me once…?” LOL!
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Speaking of JPD and Crime, did anyone see WLBT’s report last night? “WLBT has obtained the crime statistics for Precinct Four, which covers northeast Jackson. They document 1,872 reported property crimes as of last Sunday. That represents a 24-percent rise over the same time period last year. Violent crimes such as armed robbery more than doubled. There were 288 such reports, compared to 135 during the same period last year. “
#122956 | Author: ChrisCavanaugh | Date: Aug 17 2006
Good thread to start, Pike. I remember wondering what was up with trying to bring Black when they announced it, but we haven’t had a chance to follow up. Good for the Ledge for bringing this to light. And good for Black for speaking out about the way this city operates. I think I’ll bump this to the front page. Thanks.
#122957 | Author: DonnaLadd | Date: Aug 17 2006
How many more incompetent, questionable character, or do nothings will Frank hire. His list is long: Redd, Anerson, Weaver, O’Riley, Reeves, Ward, Sargent, Davis, Danks. What have these people brought to the table except problems at a cost that the City can not afford? Frank said that he could RUN the City with only himself and one other person. He has RUINED the City with himself and a host of others. Just think about people in these positions and their worth to the City of Jackson. Adding Black to the list will only add another big salary with big problems. This man (fm) reaches out to the wrong people, in my opinion, for help. The help that he needs is to give Johnson back his job and let him, his wife and the team of supportes continue the work of making Jackson the Best of The New South. This man has taken the Pride Ride to the Gutter. He hates this City! It is no way around having someone in office who loves this City and will not let ignorance or arrogance tear it down.
#122958 | Author: justjess | Date: Aug 17 2006
He hates this City! It is no way around having someone in office who loves this City and will not let ignorance or arrogance tear it down. ^^justjess Wow, I think you just might have a point there to consider justjess. Hmmm!
#122959 | Author: Queen601 | Date: Aug 17 2006
JustJess, Don’t forget in the long list of Melton helpers to include that sterling character, Higginbottom!
#122960 | Author: ChrisCavanaugh | Date: Aug 17 2006
Sounds to me like Frank Melton pulled another one of his common ploys, failure to communicate with those around him.
#122961 | Author: blu_n_a_redstate | Date: Aug 17 2006
First he hires an unqualified or underqualified “Director,” then he hires a consultant to “help them.” This is bunk! Whatever happened to hiring qualified Directors and rewarding all of the civil service people in that department by giving them a small raise. The underlings are the people doing the work anyway. Everything else is about coordinating your projects and working with other Directors. Even if the new Directors are given a higher salary than Johnson’s directors did, he wouldn’t be putting two people in one position. Some of his new people (lower than director’s level) are part-time and are being paid much more than others parallel jobs. This is just not right.
#122962 | Author: realtime | Date: Aug 18 2006
Bear Bryant quit Maryland because the President fired one of his coaches without consulting him. If you let people walk all over you, they probably will.
#122963 | Author: Kingfish | Date: Aug 18 2006
Black said the chief told him she did not know Melton had decided to hire him. Black said the mayor told him Anderson had been told. “She was pretty devastated, I think, that I was down there,” Black said. “And I got the impression of not being wanted.” I wouldn’t be surprised if a resignation by the Chief follows this stunt. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if she did not resign because she seems to be afraid of going against the mayor. Melton said he may not have told Anderson that he was hiring Black, and if that was the case, he should have…. Black says he is still willing to help Melton. But because the mayor didn’t return his calls, Black said he thought Melton had changed his mind about hiring him. If so, he said he wishes the mayor would have told him. Maybe the mayor should start writing this stuff down. He doesn’t seem to remember half the things he says. How many more incompetent, questionable character, or do nothings will Frank hire. His list is long: Redd, Anerson, Weaver, O’Riley, Reeves, Ward, Sargent, Davis, Danks. I’m not ready for Sargent to be on this list. When she was the principal at Powell Junior High (now Powell Middle School), she was so sweet. I went to Powell in the seventh grade, and she helped get a bully off my back. She told me I could come to her office anytime, and she actualy meant it because I was in there on a regular basis. I hope that her character has not changed since that time. It would hurt me if it did.
#122964 | Author: LatashaWillis | Date: Aug 20 2006
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The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.
