Melton Backs Off Vow to Close Apartments

Clarion-Ledger reports today:

Backing off his threat to close the dilapidated Jackson Apartments, Mayor Frank Melton told residents Monday he wants their help in fixing the problems. In an impromptu meeting, Melton told some residents of the Maple Street complex to meet, identify what they want, then get back with him.

“Don’t look for me to come over here and evict you. That’s inhumane. I want you to use me and the mayor’s office to help,” he said.
Two days prior, and less than two weeks into his term, Melton issued an executive order saying he would “evaluate, close down and tear down” the complex. But Melton does not have the sole authority to close down a complex.

A city inspector must find potential for serious harm to residents to shut down a building immediately. Otherwise, owners are given 30 days to fix code violations. Code officials could not say when the property was last inspected.

Previous Comments

I’m glad common sense kicked in on this one. I hate to see living conditions like that, but there has to be an alternative for the residents who can’t afford to live anywhere else. I saw them on the news cleaning up the empty apartments, and I had an urge to drive down there and help. It’s a shame that no one has done anything before now. Someone needs to drag the property owner from Vicksburg and make him in one of those vacant units in the 95-degree heat until he fixes the problem. Excuse me for venting, but no one deserves to live in squalor, especially the very young and very old. I heard that they are still trying to raise money to renovate the home of that elderly woman on Rose St. I think the name of the company that is taking donations is RTH Construction. Has anyone heard anything else about this?

#119857 | Author: LatashaWillis | Date: Jul 20 2005

L.W.- I’m glad common sense kicked in on this one. This wasn’t common sense. Melton got called on his meglomania: (from the C-L story) “But Melton does not have the sole authority to close down a complex. A city inspector must find potential for serious harm to residents to shut down a building immediately. Otherwise, owners are given 30 days to fix code violations. Frank is learning that governing means following the law, not just shooting from the hip. And this and won’t be the last time either. Unless he gets the laws changed (a la residency.

#119858 | Author: Johann | Date: Jul 20 2005

There has to be more accountability on behave of the owners, tenants, and the city, before conditions reach this point! Given the condition of The Maple Street Apartments and others in Jackson, long before Stokes, Melton or anyone else cries foul, a cycle has already begun. In some instances owners evict tenants found in violation of their lease–i.e. destroying property, drug activityóhowever owners are then limited by previous tenants having created conditions of blight and itís ensuing atmosphere, resulting in most perspective new tenants being any if at all different from the previous tenants. At some point, owners either sell or become slumlords. After The Town Creek Apartments closed in 2001(?), some of the tenants were relocated into what were nice new apartments (The Woodlands)Öto say the least, the aforementioned cycle continues. The city should mandate inspections that are more aggressive and consistent, at a minimum consistent inspections would impede such extreme conditions of blight.

#119859 | Author: K RHODES | Date: Jul 20 2005

Point well taken, Johann. I wasn’t aware of that particular law, so thanks for enlightening me. I agree with you about Melton and the law. It looks like he will be eating a lot of crow unless he takes time to review proper procedures before making rash decisions on local TV. The honeymoon’s almost over…;-)

#119860 | Author: LatashaWillis | Date: Jul 20 2005