Perry said 16 police and fire officers and he interviewed each of the front runners. He said no deal was presented to endorse a candidate if they agreed to appoint a particular person as chief (as a different campaign has told us happened). He said no named person was discussed. He said the only name came up was when Johnson said he would keep Rebecca Coleman as chief.
They did, however, emphasis that management needed to be changed, Perry said. "I would say emphasis was put as far as that. The overall change, according to consensus of the union, we think need new management from the mayor all the way down; even city council needs to be changed."
The group voted to endorse Lee, he said, because he is only one with a "definitive plan," but that Lee "didn't make any promises. He had a plan how he would get certain things done." "(Lee) said he would look at the management; everybody would be interviewed. He would give the union a seat at the table (for hiring new command staff).
Perry said any police officer can be a paid member of the union for $25 a month, and it's payroll deductible.
He also confirmed that he was part of a separate group, organized by former union head Juan Cloy, that identified several of the candidates, but that chose not to interview Johnson. "I was part of the other group, several different entities, Brenda Scott (of the city employees' union) and the whole nine yards. We didn't interview Johnson." That group is also endorsing Lee.
Perry denied the contentions of two different campaigns that a backroom deal was made with Lee. "I don't remember a statement like that. ... There wasn't a deal made.
"The final question was: Are he satisified with Chief Coleman as chief? Does he plan on keeping her? He couldn't discuss. Nobody responded to that."
He said Regina Quinn responded to a question denying a rumor that she was going to make Tyrone Lewis chief and sheriff, as had happened with Malcolm McMillin. "She said no, no intention of doing that all. That was the only name that came up in reference to the chief."
I just hung up from talking to Earnest Perry. Here is what he said.
Perry is not a police officer; he retired from JPD March 2012. He said he gets full benefits. The police union hired him in a paid position in August 2012.
Perry said [his role in the Fuelman controversy][1] "started with Malcolm McMillin." He said that the former sheriff/chief, along with then-Councilman (Jeff) Weill investigated him because Fuelman records didn't add up, and he was in charge of them.
"I was the manager over vehicle management. They launched an investigation for some reason before they even talked to me.... For two years, two entire years, I was at home on administrative leave with pay while the investigation was going on. When Chief (Rebecca) Coleman took the seat, somebody whispered in her ear, we got a guy off over here for two years, we've got to do something about him. When they called me back, (they) didn't find criminal activity. They said it was administrative mismanagement; gave me 90 days without pay this time. … I contested, of course. Before we went to the (civil service) hearing, 6 or 7 months later, I was called back in. They said they'd drop it, pay me the 90 days back and we're not going to worry about it.
"During that time, I was back at work. For some reason, Chief Coleman and I bumped heads again. She tried to put me in the jail to work against doctor's orders… so I retired (with medical retirement)."
"When asked why he and the current chief bumped heads, he said: "I don't know … I have no idea. She just moved me; I was working in an administrative position downtown. She saw me one idea and the next day she said I need to go work in the jail. … I don’t have another place for you (,Coleman said)… (I said) we'll see what my doctor says."
"Here I am now, happily retired. I get full retirement and benefits. I was on the force for 20 years."
Perry said that at last count, the union had 120 paid members. All were givem opportunity to be part of endorsement interviews. Needed 15 members … quorum. Reached out to 60 percent of the members, he said; the majority was in favor of the Jonathan Lee endorsement. "Majority rules," he said.
By the way, while on the subject of Sam Hall: Why does The Clarion-Ledger have an editor moderating the mayoral debate tonight who does not live in Jackson? Perhaps more importantly, do *any* Clarion-Ledger editors live in Jackson? Serious question.
Lee supporter Jeff Good wrote this morning, saying he was the conduit between the Web company and the Lee campaign site. He says nothing go on there without his knowledge, and that they didn't put the Sam Hall post (above) on the site. He initially thought an opponent had Photoshopped it and sent it to me. When I told him that it [popped up in Google last night on their site at this link][1], he looked again and figured out the following. I told him I would post what happened to clear up the mystery:
> Just figured it out. > > nation builder has a log in system... > people who want to join the site use > fb or twitter to join. that is why. > > He is one of hundreds who have signed > up for alerts. Just as you would for a > fb page. > > that makes sense. now you know and > can post the reason... nothing > nefarious. > *whew* > > JG
The truth is that, so far in this campaign, I haven't seen anything "nefarious" come into my email or mailbox. So far at least, everything that has shown up has proved to be true. However, some of the story tips we've gotten haven't checked out -- mostly because some people love to say there is a story we won't report, but then refuse to back it up with interviews or documents. THAT is useless, folks.
If anyone has real, verifiable information we should know about any of the candidates (or anything relevant to our readers), feel free to send details, names, phone numbers and/or documents to me at [email protected]. Otherwise, don't bother complaining that I don't report your rumors.
Per the other part of your comment, Thabian, I will make this pledge. If any PAC or candidate does not file full disclosure this week in time for the voters to see everything, we will track it and report it whenever they do -- and make a HUGE deal out of the fact that they didn't file early enough for the voters to decide along with a list of every person associated with it. The public deserves information on who is backing candidates. Give it to us.
OK, I just spoke to my friend Juan Cloy, former police union president. He clarified a few things. When he called last week, it was on behalf of another group that is endorsing Lee and didn't interview Johnson.
The police association (release above) did interview Johnson, too. Two different groups.
Also, Cloy confirmed that Earnest Perry is no longer a police officer, but is serving as interim president of the police union. Perry is the same officer who was investigated for the Fuelman controversy that I linked to above, but was later cleared by a civil service investigation, Cloy said. I have no way to find out more about that tonight, but I hope that answers your question.
The election-related questions are coming fast and furious; we're trying to answer what we can, and we appreciate factual information anybody out there would like to provide. Unlike The Clarion-Ledger, we don't pick and choose the sources of public information we publish. Sorry for the sarcasm. I'm tired.
All, very important to remember that tomorrow is a big campaign-finance filing deadline. Will they all file on time? Frank Bluntson still hasn't filed his first report, saying he doesn't have to because he spent his own money in 2012. That's wrong: Because he spent on a campaign, he's supposed to file.
And R.L. Nave is putting together information on how campaign reporting works over the last week.
Finally, we urge this 20/20 PAC to report all funds they raise at this event tonight and this week. Last election, we had a huge issue with the [Better Jackson PAC that supported Crisler (and Two Lakes)][1] not filing until the last second, and only then because we publicly shamed them into it. We will again if needed. We don't want to see transparency shenanigans this time around. And it sure won't help the candidates.
Here is an [article we ran a while back that mentions Perry,][1] if it's the same one. And for those who haven't seen it, here's the release that came today, and it's all I know right now:
> jackson police officers association > endorses jonathan lee for mayor > (Download PDF Version of This > Document) The Jackson Police > Officers Association announces their > endorsement of Mayoral Candidate > Jonathan Lee for Mayor of the City of > Jackson, Mississippi. "We need a > visionary for mayor- a strong leader > with a willingness to work with local > and state government. Jackson needs > and deserves someone who cares about > the future of our city and the people > who keep it safe," said Earnest Perry, > President of the Jackson Police > Officers Association. "This > decision was not taken lightly. Over > the course of the past month, we have > taken the time to sit individually > with many of the candidates for mayor. > We spoke with them about the concerns > we have for our city, our jobs, and > our families," added Perry. Perry > went on to say of Lee's plan for > addressing the issue of crime, "Like > Lee, officers have continued to say > that there must be a comprehensive > approach to fighting crime." He also > believes that Lee will develop a > documented career advancement path > within the Jackson Police Department > so that officers will not feel as if > they are in a dead-end job. The > Jackson Police Officers Association > believes that Jonathan Lee will > respond to their primary concerns, > including: Ensuring officers are > paid fairly for their efforts to keep > our citizens safe Hiring and > maintaining qualified police officers > Developing a career path for officers > Reaching a collective bargaining > agreement with the Jackson Police > officers Working with other city > departments to identify and demolish > abandoned and dilapidated homes and > buildings that serve as havens for > criminal activities Working with the > Mayor's office to develop youth > programs to keep them off the streets > and from committing crimes Developing > comprehensive neighborhood watch > programs to involve citizens The > Jackson Police Officers Association > believes Jonathan Lee is the candidate > who can best lead Jackson in the right > direction. > > Stand with the Jackson Police Officers > Association in support of Jonathan. > Pledge your vote for Jonathan Lee for > Mayor right now! Paid for by Friends > of Jonathan Lee | | > [email protected] |
donnaladd says...
MORE:
Perry said 16 police and fire officers and he interviewed each of the front runners. He said no deal was presented to endorse a candidate if they agreed to appoint a particular person as chief (as a different campaign has told us happened). He said no named person was discussed. He said the only name came up was when Johnson said he would keep Rebecca Coleman as chief.
They did, however, emphasis that management needed to be changed, Perry said.
"I would say emphasis was put as far as that. The overall change, according to consensus of the union, we think need new management from the mayor all the way down; even city council needs to be changed."
The group voted to endorse Lee, he said, because he is only one with a "definitive plan," but that Lee "didn't make any promises. He had a plan how he would get certain things done."
"(Lee) said he would look at the management; everybody would be interviewed. He would give the union a seat at the table (for hiring new command staff).
Perry said any police officer can be a paid member of the union for $25 a month, and it's payroll deductible.
He also confirmed that he was part of a separate group, organized by former union head Juan Cloy, that identified several of the candidates, but that chose not to interview Johnson. "I was part of the other group, several different entities, Brenda Scott (of the city employees' union) and the whole nine yards. We didn't interview Johnson." That group is also endorsing Lee.
Perry denied the contentions of two different campaigns that a backroom deal was made with Lee. "I don't remember a statement like that. ... There wasn't a deal made.
"The final question was: Are he satisified with Chief Coleman as chief? Does he plan on keeping her? He couldn't discuss. Nobody responded to that."
He said Regina Quinn responded to a question denying a rumor that she was going to make Tyrone Lewis chief and sheriff, as had happened with Malcolm McMillin. "She said no, no intention of doing that all. That was the only name that came up in reference to the chief."
On The Strange Case of the JPOA Endorsement
Posted 30 April 2013, 3:38 p.m. Suggest removal
donnaladd says...
I just hung up from talking to Earnest Perry. Here is what he said.
Perry is not a police officer; he retired from JPD March 2012. He said he gets full benefits. The police union hired him in a paid position in August 2012.
Perry said [his role in the Fuelman controversy][1] "started with Malcolm McMillin." He said that the former sheriff/chief, along with then-Councilman (Jeff) Weill investigated him because Fuelman records didn't add up, and he was in charge of them.
"I was the manager over vehicle management. They launched an investigation for some reason before they even talked to me.... For two years, two entire years, I was at home on administrative leave with pay while the investigation was going on. When Chief (Rebecca) Coleman took the seat, somebody whispered in her ear, we got a guy off over here for two years, we've got to do something about him. When they called me back, (they) didn't find criminal activity. They said it was administrative mismanagement; gave me 90 days without pay this time. … I contested, of course. Before we went to the (civil service) hearing, 6 or 7 months later, I was called back in. They said they'd drop it, pay me the 90 days back and we're not going to worry about it.
"During that time, I was back at work. For some reason, Chief Coleman and I bumped heads again. She tried to put me in the jail to work against doctor's orders… so I retired (with medical retirement)."
"When asked why he and the current chief bumped heads, he said: "I don't know … I have no idea. She just moved me; I was working in an administrative position downtown. She saw me one idea and the next day she said I need to go work in the jail. … I don’t have another place for you (,Coleman said)… (I said) we'll see what my doctor says."
"Here I am now, happily retired. I get full retirement and benefits. I was on the force for 20 years."
Perry said that at last count, the union had 120 paid members. All were givem opportunity to be part of endorsement interviews. Needed 15 members … quorum. Reached out to 60 percent of the members, he said; the majority was in favor of the Jonathan Lee endorsement. "Majority rules," he said.
Also: [WLBT on Fuelman][2]
[1]: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/20…
[2]: http://www.msnewsnow.com/Global/story.a…
On The Strange Case of the JPOA Endorsement
Posted 30 April 2013, 3:37 p.m. Suggest removal
donnaladd says...
Indeed.
On None
Posted 30 April 2013, 1:59 p.m. Suggest removal
donnaladd says...
In case you missed it, Dominic is talking about [this story about Jonathan Lee][1], which contains all the relevant documents.
[1]: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/20…
On None
Posted 30 April 2013, 12:02 p.m. Suggest removal
donnaladd says...
By the way, while on the subject of Sam Hall: Why does The Clarion-Ledger have an editor moderating the mayoral debate tonight who does not live in Jackson? Perhaps more importantly, do *any* Clarion-Ledger editors live in Jackson? Serious question.
On Clarion-Ledger Disputes Jonathan Lee's Account
Posted 30 April 2013, 9:56 a.m. Suggest removal
donnaladd says...
Lee supporter Jeff Good wrote this morning, saying he was the conduit between the Web company and the Lee campaign site. He says nothing go on there without his knowledge, and that they didn't put the Sam Hall post (above) on the site. He initially thought an opponent had Photoshopped it and sent it to me. When I told him that it [popped up in Google last night on their site at this link][1], he looked again and figured out the following. I told him I would post what happened to clear up the mystery:
> Just figured it out.
>
> nation builder has a log in system...
> people who want to join the site use
> fb or twitter to join. that is why.
>
> He is one of hundreds who have signed
> up for alerts. Just as you would for a
> fb page.
>
> that makes sense. now you know and
> can post the reason... nothing
> nefarious.
> *whew*
>
> JG
The truth is that, so far in this campaign, I haven't seen anything "nefarious" come into my email or mailbox. So far at least, everything that has shown up has proved to be true. However, some of the story tips we've gotten haven't checked out -- mostly because some people love to say there is a story we won't report, but then refuse to back it up with interviews or documents. THAT is useless, folks.
If anyone has real, verifiable information we should know about any of the candidates (or anything relevant to our readers), feel free to send details, names, phone numbers and/or documents to me at [email protected]. Otherwise, don't bother complaining that I don't report your rumors.
[1]: http://www.jonathanleeforjackson.com/sa…
On Clarion-Ledger Disputes Jonathan Lee's Account
Posted 30 April 2013, 9:54 a.m. Suggest removal
donnaladd says...
Per the other part of your comment, Thabian, I will make this pledge. If any PAC or candidate does not file full disclosure this week in time for the voters to see everything, we will track it and report it whenever they do -- and make a HUGE deal out of the fact that they didn't file early enough for the voters to decide along with a list of every person associated with it. The public deserves information on who is backing candidates. Give it to us.
On Jonathan Lee on the Defensive Over Business Judgments (Plus Audio)
Posted 29 April 2013, 9:14 p.m. Suggest removal
donnaladd says...
OK, I just spoke to my friend Juan Cloy, former police union president. He clarified a few things. When he called last week, it was on behalf of another group that is endorsing Lee and didn't interview Johnson.
The police association (release above) did interview Johnson, too. Two different groups.
Also, Cloy confirmed that Earnest Perry is no longer a police officer, but is serving as interim president of the police union. Perry is the same officer who was investigated for the Fuelman controversy that I linked to above, but was later cleared by a civil service investigation, Cloy said. I have no way to find out more about that tonight, but I hope that answers your question.
The election-related questions are coming fast and furious; we're trying to answer what we can, and we appreciate factual information anybody out there would like to provide. Unlike The Clarion-Ledger, we don't pick and choose the sources of public information we publish. Sorry for the sarcasm. I'm tired.
On Jonathan Lee on the Defensive Over Business Judgments (Plus Audio)
Posted 29 April 2013, 9:12 p.m. Suggest removal
donnaladd says...
All, very important to remember that tomorrow is a big campaign-finance filing deadline. Will they all file on time? Frank Bluntson still hasn't filed his first report, saying he doesn't have to because he spent his own money in 2012. That's wrong: Because he spent on a campaign, he's supposed to file.
And R.L. Nave is putting together information on how campaign reporting works over the last week.
Finally, we urge this 20/20 PAC to report all funds they raise at this event tonight and this week. Last election, we had a huge issue with the [Better Jackson PAC that supported Crisler (and Two Lakes)][1] not filing until the last second, and only then because we publicly shamed them into it. We will again if needed. We don't want to see transparency shenanigans this time around. And it sure won't help the candidates.
[1]: http://www.google.com/search?client=saf…
On Sam Begley Sparring with 20/20 PAC re Jonathan Lee + New Lawsuit Revealed
Posted 29 April 2013, 8:30 p.m. Suggest removal
donnaladd says...
Here is an [article we ran a while back that mentions Perry,][1] if it's the same one. And for those who haven't seen it, here's the release that came today, and it's all I know right now:
> jackson police officers association
> endorses jonathan lee for mayor
> (Download PDF Version of This
> Document) The Jackson Police
> Officers Association announces their
> endorsement of Mayoral Candidate
> Jonathan Lee for Mayor of the City of
> Jackson, Mississippi. "We need a
> visionary for mayor- a strong leader
> with a willingness to work with local
> and state government. Jackson needs
> and deserves someone who cares about
> the future of our city and the people
> who keep it safe," said Earnest Perry,
> President of the Jackson Police
> Officers Association. "This
> decision was not taken lightly. Over
> the course of the past month, we have
> taken the time to sit individually
> with many of the candidates for mayor.
> We spoke with them about the concerns
> we have for our city, our jobs, and
> our families," added Perry. Perry
> went on to say of Lee's plan for
> addressing the issue of crime, "Like
> Lee, officers have continued to say
> that there must be a comprehensive
> approach to fighting crime." He also
> believes that Lee will develop a
> documented career advancement path
> within the Jackson Police Department
> so that officers will not feel as if
> they are in a dead-end job. The
> Jackson Police Officers Association
> believes that Jonathan Lee will
> respond to their primary concerns,
> including: Ensuring officers are
> paid fairly for their efforts to keep
> our citizens safe Hiring and
> maintaining qualified police officers
> Developing a career path for officers
> Reaching a collective bargaining
> agreement with the Jackson Police
> officers Working with other city
> departments to identify and demolish
> abandoned and dilapidated homes and
> buildings that serve as havens for
> criminal activities Working with the
> Mayor's office to develop youth
> programs to keep them off the streets
> and from committing crimes Developing
> comprehensive neighborhood watch
> programs to involve citizens The
> Jackson Police Officers Association
> believes Jonathan Lee is the candidate
> who can best lead Jackson in the right
> direction.
>
> Stand with the Jackson Police Officers
> Association in support of Jonathan.
> Pledge your vote for Jonathan Lee for
> Mayor right now! Paid for by Friends
> of Jonathan Lee | |
> [email protected] |
[1]: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/20…
On Jonathan Lee on the Defensive Over Business Judgments (Plus Audio)
Posted 29 April 2013, 6:16 p.m. Suggest removal