@notmuch

"Yes, I am well aware that Dr. King was a Republican, as were most blacks, until the Democrats came up with the strategy that would eventually turn the tide from self-pride and self-sufficiency to dependency."

Are you aware of the fact that blacks do not have a monoply on dependency? More whites are dependent on government sponsored programs, i.e., welfare and that these numbers are based on ratio and proportion.

Your comment about "dependency" supports the contention that Black folks are negatively evaluated, conscious and unconscious, by many. Prehaps it will be helpful for you to read Dr. James Silver's book entitled "Mississippi the Closed Society".

To even suggest that my people have no self-pride or self-sufficiency since the change from Republican to Democrat is ludicrous!

@Dustin Cardon

Thanks so much for sharing some of the accomplishments of this social and educational worrior, Dr. L.C. Dorsey. She leaves some BIG shoes to fill and she will be missed!

Dr. Dorsey leaves a host of well educated children and several followed in her footsteps in becomming Social Workers. She will be missed; however, the worth of he work will live on in the lives of those individuals, groups and organizations she impacted.

a job well done!

@notmuch

"Of course, none of the boring facts would have made much money for anyone, so let's spice it up to keep fanning those flames of racial hatred!"

Wouldn't it be a fair assessment to say that through your eyes and thought processes, a butler was treated kindly and paid fairly? That NO black woman was the "house bitch" for many plantation owners? Do you really think that our light, bright, damn near white - brothers and sisters happened through the natural process of adaptation to climatic conditions? metamorphosis? That being a Republican during that era made you an equal as invited guest of Ronald Reagan? Please remember that Dr. Martin Luther King was a Republican: He was jailed, beaten, chased by dogs, sprayed with fire-fighter water hoses and eventually shot down like a dog for fighting for men who worked as garbage collectors and for Civil Rights for ALL.

Symbolism is lost on people who have no vision; just as truth is lost on people who deny it!

@Knowledge

".....Instead of instilling fear into people, how about helping them to budget to account for it."

Some of the people I'm speaking of are already cutting back on the medication they need to be able to purchase food. I didn't suggest that there would not be ANY increase; I simply stated that a 100% increase on this particular utility is drastic. Missing from this report was the exploration of other sources to generate revenue, i.e., sales tax, federal grants.

Sometimes that can that is being "kicked down the road" is impossible to stop with one "whopping" injection. I other words, this situation did not happen over night and for sure, it will not be fixed over night. Remedy will come over time.

Just remember that water and sewer aren't the only intities that are going up - , although it will get the largest increase according to the proposal. This proposal suggests over a one million dollar increase for Administration alone and with a 2million dollar set-aside.

There is an old saying that goes: "You can't get blood out of a turnip". I've tried it: It doesn't work.

@JLucas
"Tax increases and rate hikes are never fun and are generally unpopular. I commend the Mayor for making this gutsy, but ultimately necessary move."

I understand a rate increase, but, a 100% increase on this service alone? Many people that I talk to were thinking that the increase will be 50%; however, if you do the math, it is 100%.

What happens next year when JPS needs the mills that will be spent "elsewhere", as reported by Mayor Lumumba? Jackson's middle class is shrinking and although unemployment is 8% here in the city, many of the jobs are minium wage. This "gutsy" move wil gut citizens to the core: this "ultimately necessary move" will move many more out of the city.

Then what???

Just Asking.

@Tyler Cleveland

"Under the Mayor's plan, nearly all of the city's departments would receive a budget increase. The Department of Administration's budget would increase by $1.2 million over this year. Human and Cultural Services would increase $1.9 million. Planning and Development would get an additional $1 million, and $2 million more would be set aside for general government. The big-ticket item is the Department of Public Works' budget, which Lumumba hopes to increase more than $22 million-to a whopping $398 million. Public Works is in charge of fixing what ails Jackson: its potholes, sewers and drainage."

So, the Mayor is increasing the city's budget while decreasing the citizens ability to meet their daily survival needs. The JFP published an article written by Dr. Rommel Benjamin, a retired Sociologist , entitled "Race Still Matters". This is a "must read" because his assessment and dept of understanding lends itself to the upcoming problems that this city will face.

The Mayor's proposal looks like a "wish list" presented by a child to Santa Clause! Detroit, MI had a similar beginning and the ending for Jackson is potentially the same - bankrupt!

I only attended the Friday event of the Rhythm & Blues Festival. Racial harmony did exist and all had a GREAT time!

"Thank You" for the implementation of the Electronic Clock - In System goes to Former Mayor Harvey Johnson. Ater reading in yeaterday's CL, citizens need something to soften the BLOW about Mayor Lumumba's plan to raise taxes.

@bubbat

Only 9 states have a limit that is higher than 18 for open carry. Any limit higher than 18 years is unconstitutional since 18 is the age of a "legal adult". This status entitles you to all rights of citizenship. Check me on this, but, I don't think that MS is one of the nine.

I have the same concerns voiced by Connie Moran. Why would this governor put health care at the top of his list while doing all things to ensure failure for MS becomming a "Health-Care Mecca"? Why would the Legislature approve a $340,000 STUDY on "Blueprint Mississippi"? This study was done last October. Have the results been published?

It's amazing that so much money has been spent, but, the elephant continues to occupy the room!