Residents in Jackson’s Ward 2 will choose new representation on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Six candidates are on the ballot for the Ward 2 Jackson City Council seat that former councilwoman Angelique Lee vacated when she resigned and pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge on Aug. 14.
The Candidates
Marcus Cheatham
Montyne “Tina” Clay
Celestial M. Gordon-Griffin
Cheryl Matory
Brian Mozee
Catherine Robinson
Marcus Cheatham
Cheatham is a 31-year veteran of the military.
Why are you running for office?
Because I love the city of Jackson, first off. Because I’ve seen the changes over the years. I’m a 48-year resident of Ward 2. I moved to Ward 2 when I was two years old. My mother and I have lived in the same neighborhood, Ashley Acres, for 48 years.
In 1998, I bought a house six houses down from my mother. So we’ve stayed in the same neighborhood—same area. That’s where I grew up.
I was a 31-year veteran of the military, so I’ve gone away, but I’ve always had a home here in Jackson. A home that I never rented. I always paid taxes in Mississippi.
I just love the city. I’ve seen it change and I want to do something about it.
I retired in 2023, so I just wanted to come back and give back as a public servant.
What are three of the most important issues facing Ward 2 or Jackson overall?
Public safety. Crime, of course. Infrastructure. And economic development. That’s my platform. When we talk about infrastructure, with the roads, bridges and everything. Just over time, you know, things are just deteriorating. We’ve got to invest back into the city.
When we talk about public safety, of course, crime is high. However, the Jackson Police Department is doing their part. People don’t see it. But they’re doing the best they can with the resources they have.
And with economic development, no grocery stores. Businesses are getting away from Ward 2. You’ve got to travel a ways to get to where you need to go.
Those three pillars that you said are your priorities, how do you want to affect change in those three areas?
When we’re talking public safety, I have to say it: I’m not a police officer. So I can’t promise anybody that I’m going to put an ‘S’ on my chest and go out and get all the bad guys. No. That’s not my job. That’s JPD. That’s the sheriff’s department. That’s Capitol Police. That’s their arena. My job as a councilman is to help fund those programs, to invest in their equipment, protective gear and technology.
What am I doing for infrastructure? Again, as a councilman, funding. I’m not the public works director. I will say that we need to install a permanent public works director.
But what I can do is fund programs.
For economic development, talk to business owners, folks who are willing to invest heavily in the City of Jackson. That’s going to be the hardest one to do. I did some research on a grocery store, talking with some professionals and it’s going to take about a $1.5 million investment to bring a grocery store back into the area.
What is your vision for Ward 2?
To bring it back to the days of old. When I grew up in 1991, when I was in high school in Jackson, Ward 2 was a thriving area. It was clean. It was crime-free. I want to bring it back to that state. I want the roads to be fixed. I want crime to come down. I want businesses to come back.
Why do you feel like you’re the best person to push that vision forward?
I think I’m best qualified just based on what I’ve been through. 31 years in the military. I have structure. I’ve been a planner all of my career. My last four years were at the Pentagon. I’ve been in the room with decision-makers. Crisis management, I’m very good at that. Just based on my military experience, things I’ve seen, things I’ve done. I think that gives me an advantage over my opponents.
Montyne “Tina” Clay
Outside of her work as an insurance agent, Clay volunteers her time with numerous organizations including the American Heart Association, Ashley’s Angels and the running group Healthy, Active Soles.
Why are you interested in running for public office?
I’m tired of hearing people make adverse comments about the City of Jackson. I know that the only way we can improve is to provide service. So I am willing to step in and try to help the city improve their image.
When you say adverse comments about the City of Jackson, what are some of the things you have heard over the years?
Not over the years—recently. People saying, ‘Nobody wants to be in the City of Jackson’ or, ‘The crime in the City of Jackson is so high,’ or ‘Streets in the City of Jackson are so raggedy.’
Specifically, what are the things that you’re interested in if you were to become the Ward 2 councilperson?
I would like to see a reduction in crime. I would like to see us improve education. I would like to see recreational facilities improve. I would like to see economic development in the city and development.
OK. How do you think crime can be reduced in the City of Jackson?
I’m not going to make any specific statement. But what I do think is that crime can be reduced by giving people in the City of Jackson opportunities to do other things. In particular, with youth in the City of Jackson, if we had more parks or activities for them to do, I think they would not be as idle. They would not be involved in as much crime.
I think if we had better recreational facilities and more to offer, they would have better grades. In order to participate in team sports in school, you have to have a certain GPA. That would encourage them to study and maintain the minimum GPA to participate. That would improve our education and opportunities for scholarships for students.
For economics, I would like to see us repurpose some of the vacant buildings in the ward and provide workforce development training.
And recreation is not just for the youth. Recreation would be for everybody. Adults can use trails, bikes, basketballs, tennis courts, etc. For the adults, it would also help reduce stress and anxiety and make us a healthier city.
You mentioned economic development. What are some examples of development you would like to see in Jackson?
There are many vacant buildings in Ward 2 that previously had industry in them. I would like to see us take those buildings and make them tech centers or use them as training facilities for jobs. Vickers is right in our ward. We could use empty buildings to train youth and adults to be candidates for employment at Eaton.
Or take those vacant buildings and make sub-offices and rent them to individuals that have business. Or use them as a marketplace, something similar to a program where you have people come in to sell on the weekends.
Ward 2 has been described before as a “food desert.” What do you think can be done to combat that issue?
Open a grocery store in the ward. Or have a community garden in the ward and sell the products from the garden. A community garden would be a healthy venture for us in addition to the movement and exercise. We could even start an organic garden.
Going back to workforce development, like you said, for young people. Are there specific industries that you think teenagers in Jackson need more access to?
Anything technology-wise. I don’t have specifics and the reason being is that I think we’re going to have to get resources to be able to do anything. Write grants or come up with an idea to sell to somebody to do. It’s going to take creativity and working with outside resources.
I think I’m a member of enough outside organizations that I can get people to work with us.
We don’t need to raise taxes in the city but we need to use resources that are available.
Why should people believe in your vision for Ward 2?
I’ve been a successful business owner for the last 34 years. I’ve completed goals in life that some people never achieve—such as running marathons—which takes discipline, Clay said. When I set my mind to something, I work to fulfill it. Whatever the ward’s goals are, I’ll work extremely hard to help them fulfill their goals.
I have the time, the talents and the resources to give to the city at this point in my career. I do work a full-time job but I’m very disciplined. I’ll be able to do what I need to do to make both things work.
Celestial M. Gordon-Griffin
Gordon-Griffin is currently the program director of the Bennie G. Thompson Delta Leadership Initiative at Tougaloo College. She formerly worked under Jackson Mayor Frank Melton as the Division Manager for the Safe Neighborhoods Youth Development Program
Why are you running for office?
I’m running for this office for a bunch of reasons. We have four children, my husband and I, we have two older daughters that are my bonus daughters and two biological children. My bonus daughters, as they were growing up, one of the things that they could not wait to do was leave here. They would say ‘Mom, there’s no opportunities here. We can’t do this, we can’t do that.’
And with the issues we’ve had this past four-year quarter, it’s just been embarrassing and disheartening to be a lover of Jackson like I am.
When we had the trash debacle in my neighborhood where I grew up. I have elderly women, I have single mothers. When we were going without having trash pickup, trash was just piling up. A lot of these people couldn’t get to the MetroCenter (for trash drop off).
I found a young man on Facebook, I paid him to come (to Jackson) and we walked the neighborhood and we took up trash.
I care about my neighborhood. I care about the people in this city. We’re supposed to have a community that looks out for each other, but we’re so divided.
That’s another thing. I understand this seat is not about me. It’s about helping the young, the old, the sick. We have enough already against us. It’s time to start building things that make us a better Jackson. We start one ward at a time.
What do you think are the three most important issues facing the City of Jackson or Ward 2 right now?
Speaking to residents in Ward 2, the issues are all the same. We’re looking at needing to replace our collapsed infrastructure. We need to work on underground sewer lines. We need proper drainage for our streets. We need our streets paved.
And then, keeping our city clean. It costs you nothing to clean up. We hear all the time, ‘Our city doesn’t have money for this. Our city doesn’t have money for that.’ That may be true. But we can keep our city clean. We have enough misdemeanor offenders here in the city that can work off some of their fines. Come clean our major corridors here in the city. So if our city doesn’t have this and doesn’t have that, one thing people can say is ‘oh, that city know it was clean.’
I know my role as councilwoman. My job is to advocate and legislate. But it’s time that we start thinking outside the box.
What type of economic development would you like to see in Ward 2?
I did a press conference at the only bank in Ward 2. It’s now closed. Bankplus. Ward 2 can’t lose any more businesses and we need to open the door for businesses that are going to help develop our community, be an asset to our young people and employ young people.
People think, because of where Ward 2 is located, that we’re not a food desert. We’re conveniently located where everything you need is within a 5 or 6-mile radius. But when we look at people who are on fixed incomes, who are elderly, that 5 or 6-mile radius could be a 10 or 20-minute drive, it’s not convenient.
I’ve seen what a food desert is, especially working in the Delta. You’re looking 30, 40 miles for the nearest grocery store. We’re not as bad. But it’s still not convenient.
Why should Ward 2 residents believe in your vision?
Because the vision that I have benefits all of us. One of my visions is to allow contractors to come into our neighborhoods, minority contractors to buy up all these properties and give them six months to make them livable. Then, we can show people how to become homeowners, because we don’t want them to be renters forever. This builds our tax base. This helps our city. This helps our ward because we don’t have as much blight.
When we collectively work with all law enforcement, this helps keep us safe.
So the vision that I have creates wealth for us, keeps us safe and keeps our children protected.
Cheryl Matory
Matory is a 29-year veteran police officer. She’s worked in the Biloxi Police Department and as a crime scene investigator with the Jackson Police Department. She said she would retire from the role if elected to City Council.
Why are you running for City Council?
I’m interested because over a period of years, I have seen Ward 2 depreciate, a downward spiral. I have listened to empty promises that were made to us from our Ward 2 leaders. I feel that I am and I can do the job. I’m a person that can be trusted with the taxpayers’ dollars. And I will work with the mayor and my council colleagues in order to improve Ward 2.
What broken promises are you referring to?
Just things in Ward 2, period, that haven’t been done. We have abandoned houses in Ward 2. We have areas that are unkempt. We have the homeless that have come in and taken over some areas.
What are three of the most important issues right now in Jackson?
Of course, crime would be one. I would say the police department needs to be funded. And code enforcement needs to be funded.
If we need to talk on crime, that’s our tax base. We’re not moving forward. They say Jackson doesn’t have enough money to do this and do that. It’s our tax base. If our businesses are not making money, if people are not driving through and stopping and spending their money here, that causes problems with our businesses.
Our businesses are not going to stay here if they’re not growing. They’re going to leave.
What is a solution to crime?
I believe our police department needs to be funded. I believe that we need to ensure we improve our tax base. We need more visibility of our police officers. Police, fire and code enforcement need funding.
If we look at the other cities that surround Jackson, you have Ridgeland, you have Madison, you have Pearl and then Flowood and Byram. All those cities around us.
We ask ourselves why those cities are thriving and moving forward and Jackson isn’t. It’s because their administration supports law enforcement. You’ve got visibility of police where people feel safe. When people feel safe, they will spend their money
You said there should be more funding for code enforcement.
You have dilapidated houses and someone living next door to that and watching their home’s value depreciate. That should be a crime within itself.
More code enforcement means more people that can get out and do their jobs. Not only the abandoned houses. You got cars sitting beside the road, all in the driveway. You got overgrown land. It’s a lot.
How can you affect specific issues in Ward 2?
When elected, my job is to legislate. Levying taxes, approving the budget, that’s what we do. Policy amending and approving the mayor’s appointees and so on. What I would be doing as a city councilwoman, I’m funding these areas that need to be done. I’m funding the police department. I’m funding code enforcement so that they can have the necessary things to do their jobs.
Ward 2 has been called a food desert. What do you think can be done for more grocery stores or economic development in Ward 2?
Let me clear that up. Ward 2 is not a food desert. We have dollar stores rights there on 49. The dollar stores have milk, they have water and eggs—some of the foods you need to survive. And then we have Target. Target is just like a Walmart. It’s really not a food desert. I think people would like to see maybe a larger market.
Why should the residents of Ward 2 believe in your vision?
Number one: I’m a person of my word. I have structure, accountability and integrity. It’s not like I’m just saying it. That’s been through my entire law enforcement career.
A vote for Matory would be a vote in the right direction.
Brian Mozee
Mozee has over 47 years of experience in business and retail management.
Why are you running for office?
Because I grew up here in the City of Jackson and I do not like what I’m seeing every day I leave my home. Instead of sitting around complaining about it, I want to be part of the solution. I want to help fix the issues we have here in Jackson.
What are 3 important issues in Jackson or your ward specifically?
Well, infrastructure is one. We’ve got to stop putting bandaids on these roads. We’ve got to fix it. We’ve got to go ahead and have surgery to get it fixed instead of patching it.
We’ve got to work with our youth. Our kids have lost hope. They’ve stopped dreaming. We’ve got to open up the parks and recreation centers.
We’ve got to get our kids back within the schools and back within the church. My plan is to work with local ministers to say, ‘How can we get our kids to start dreaming again?’
If we can do that, that would eliminate crime—which is another part of my platform—reducing crime.
And for economic development, we’ve got to get the City of Jackson, especially Ward 2, back up and running and looking attractive. There’s no way that we can go to the table with investors when the city is looking chaotic and when the city is judged as dysfunctional.
What type of investment would you like to see in Ward 2?
We don’t have a major grocery store here in Ward 2. We’re losing thousands of dollars that’s leaving and walking out of our ward, going to other parts of the city. If we would have that revenue, of having a major grocery store in Ward 2, then we could keep our funds in Ward 2 so that we can make it profitable.
First of all, we need to get our ward cleaned up so that it can be attractive for investors. We’ve got to get crime down, which is why I said we’ve got to work with the youth. If we can get control of the youth, get them off the streets, get them into churches, get them into community centers, get them back into school, then the crime rate would come down.
I’m sure an investor is going to do their homework and say, ‘What is the crime rate? I mean, why should I invest in Ward 2 when the crime rate is high?’ All that plays together when you’re talking about the youth, infrastructure and public safety.
Why should Ward 2 residents believe in your vision?
Experience. The City Council is a very unique responsibility. City Council is a very unique job. You have to have the ability to make good, strong, business-minded decisions. When you are making a decision, we have to think about our children and grandkids. The decision that you make at the city council-level is going to affect our future generations.
We need to start setting up our future generations who are going to run the city after we’re gone.
You need someone on the City Council that has strong leadership with 47 years of experience who is business-minded and is going to serve with integrity. That’s what you need right now on the City Council is integrity and experience.
Catherine Robinson
Robinson was a former union representative for the City of Jackson. She currently serves as the outreach program director for One Voice Mississippi, a non-partisan, civic engagement organization.
Why are you running for office?
I want to have a more transparent and vigilant city where we rebuild confidence within the residents. I’ve seen firsthand how organizing, budgeting and representation are key elements to having an effective structure. This will make us more resilient and prone to tackling the economic adversity we’re facing.
What are three issues you see in Jackson or your ward specifically?
I call it I.C.E: infrastructure, crime and education. For many years, our city infrastructure has been depleted because of aging infrastructure. Especially in Ward 2, we deal with massive flooding. Nobody has come up with a comprehensive plan to tackle disaster resilience when it comes to our infrastructure. There hasn’t been anybody to suggest that we need to have a task force that works with local and state agencies to see how we can tackle this infrastructure problem when it comes to natural disasters.
We’ve become more prone to intensified storms, heavy rain, blocked drainage and it’s causing our infrastructure to become more damaged. A lot of people focus on the fact that we’ve been out of water for the past few years when winter comes but this is not the first time and it wasn’t the first administration when we were out of water. The great flood of 1970, the year after I was born, the City of Jackson was out of water for weeks.
Now, I have a lot to say about crime. First, I’d say, is addressing the poverty gap. When you address the poverty gap, you can eliminate a lot of what’s going on in Jackson.
We have a lot of neighborhood associations in Ward 2 but we need to start to branch out more and establish block captains and community watchers who are trained to de-escalate distress in their areas. We could come together as a task force with local law enforcement and other agencies on how we can address crime in our neighborhoods.
We want to make sure that our kids are safe. And to bring back businesses, we have to eliminate crime.
The next one is that police officers when they’re coming in after they graduate from the academy, they have little to no incentive or commitment to the City of Jackson. A lot of them are transferring right out. My proposal is that once they sign that initial contract, that it must be a two-year commitment before they can transfer out of Jackson. If they do decide to transfer out of the City of Jackson before that two-year commitment, whatever police academy they transfer to or agency, would have to compensate the City of Jackson for the time that is not served.
That would help us bring in revenue and also maintain manpower within the City of Jackson so that we can de-escalate our own criminal activity.
I’m a stickler for education. One of the things that I’ve seen is that a lot of our kids have no sense of belonging. And they’re struggling.
I wanted to, as a City-Council member, work with JPS to propose peer-to-peer programs where we get to know the kids better by implementing mental health, mentorship and vocational training back into Jackson Public Schools.
Why should Ward 2 residents believe in your vision?
My vision is based on protecting our assets. Working together to overcome adversity and creating task forces in Ward 2 where we are working to combat the crime impacting our neighborhoods, partnering with local and state law enforcement and enhancing our education system where our kids are intergenerational leaders.
We have to fight for the next generation.
As we see now with Jackson, we’re depleted as a city. And our kids are depleted. Once our kids graduate from JPS, they’re leaving. They’re not staying here.
I want people to believe in my vision because as a city, we thrive as a whole when all of us are thriving together.
I am young but I believe having a younger perspective within Jackson is what is needed.
You mentioned flooding and feeling that enough has not been done to address disasters and how they impact the North Jackson area. What is your opinion on the One Lake project?
So I know the One Lake project is an initiative to help lay out the construction for lakes and protect against future flooding. One of my issues is that a lot of people are looking into levees and placing different barriers around certain areas.
We also have to look at different streamlines when it comes to protecting against flooding. Because barriers and levees—once they’re put around a certain neighborhood—the only thing that happens is that if we have a high level of rain that comes down and that Pearl River overfloods, if it bounces off that levee, OK it protects that neighborhood but it’s going to go to the next neighborhood that’s not protected.
This proposal should not just look at options to protect one foundation but build the type of construction to navigate through the entire city.