OK, let's talk as if this is a lecture to a "2" (two year old).

Mayor Johnson never ordered any items/ products for the City of Jackson and didn't pay for the order.

It is hard to believe that Lee had the finances to donate $140.000 to his own campaign; yet, his mother was in a very uncomfortable position - standing before cameras and being viewed all over TV Land, wringing her hands and trying to explain that the tax debt belonged to her. Could he have written his mother a check for the six thousand owed for taxes? He would still have $134,000. This republican math is getting very "FUZZY."

Mr. Lee seemed quite comfortable disassociating himself from his "mom's business" yet, his TV ads feature him with so much pride and a great business success story: He goes on to say that "he's running for his father, his daughter and, " you". Running for "YOU" is the last thing on his list and voters should listen closely to Lee's message and the behaviors associated with his message.

It is evident that the money trail starts and ends at the door of Republicans. We have seen this scanerio play out before. It took voters one week to find out that they had elected a "Wolf in Sheep's Clothing." That "WOLF" left the City broke, law suits at every corner and with our City just hanging by a thread!

Mr. Lee has proved, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that he did not, can not and will not manage the City of Jackson's fnances. Lee is already in over his head! He has already punked out (did not pay) the companies with judgements against him. He has already committed the "Lgal Cardinal Sin" by ignoring a Judge's order. By ignoring the directive of the Judge for him to show up for hearings could possible cost his mother the opportunity for bargain.

This is SAD: as a matter of fact, this is rotten!!!

I just finished reading the CL's version of the Jonathan Lee/Mississippi Products, Inc's story. It is interesting that they were days publishing and after the JFP ran the story. After reading what they (CL) released, it sounds as if they were trying to do damage control.

It is my opinion that the CL was quick to report blame and such a big deal was made about "WHO" is responsible for the "LEAK". So, the question here is: Do we as citizens, voters, and stakeholders in our communities have the right to know the truth about the candidate's involvements in such matters? Lee's business history could have a very negative impact on his ability to manage the City's fianances. Haven't we gone through this before?

It takes more than quick, slick political tricks to manage a city: Slowly but surely, the world catches up!

I haven't any idea about how Lee's lies and half-truths surfaced; however, I do know that they are all evidenced in published public records. Mr. Lee has marketed himself as a shrewd businessman with experiences that will lead Jackson to heights unknown.

How can the public ever know the real truth about the candidate when they are constantly bombarded with half-truths, mis-information and just blatent lies?

Can anyone say, "truth matters"?

Just Asking?

Thanks for this sermon, Ladd and although I have read about your upbringing, it is always inspiring to read it again. Your message is key to the survival of our young people. We should not continue to blame families and children can not continue to blame parents or their circumstances if they want to heal and become successful adults.

We must identify our issues, feel our sadness & our madness: Eventually, we will find gladness as we un-hinge overselves from the traumatic past. Our sails must be set forward. The ship never reaches the sunrise sailing backwards.

At the end of the seventies, council schools were springing up every where. Money, books and supplies were given to these schools out of the inventory & coffers of JPS. Many have now closed, secondary to the fact that they could not be maintained by the folks who were trying to pay tuition, buy books and supplies, while making salaries of the average John Doe. (By then, there was a careful eye on books and supplies and also the purse string of JPS). It became illegal to give funds to these council schools.

People with money could carry on their plan of seperate, but, not equal by enrolling their children is St. Joseph, St. Richards, Jackson Prep ect. When St. Jose was forced by parents in the 80s to allow little black girls to become "Spirit Steppers" and the school was becomming more black, the decision was made to move St. Jose to Madison. With the rise in tuition, many black (even catholic blacks) moved their chldren back to schools in Jackson.

There are some great kids in JPS. There are also some grea teachers. i'm not saying that all are good. I must let you know that there are many kids who graduated from JPS in the 70s,80s, 90s and to the present who are now lawyers, doctors, dentist, nurses, teachers, professional athletes, ministers, counselors, social workers and a host of other professionals. Then there are the graduates who work in blue collar positions and they are just good people. I might add that I have a nephew who graduated from JPS this past May. He was awarded over $390,000 in scholarship awards to include a scholarship from Harvard. You don't hear about the kids who are doing good and we only talk about the bad things or what the teachers aren't doing.

I look at communities such as Belair and others where home-owners take care of their yards, paint and do not allow clutter. We can't keep running.

We must stop dogging Jackson and learn the history of how we got here and what is actually being done to keep it heading in the right direction and the right way.

Remember that we build on our strengths - not our weaknesses.

@mcGowan

"We all see/saw they are Black and God knows young Blacks are not the only ones giving knee-jerk responses out there".

You are correct. Blacks are not the only ones giving knee-jerk responses. These negatives responses are being given and over blown by media. These messages have been given so loudly and for so long that far too many believe it. Blacks get very little positive coverage unless you read the JFP. (Thanks Ladd).

Our local television stations an the Clarion Ledger news paper can't wait to rush to a story about young black males and they seem to find the worse speaking person in the crowd to interview. There are so many talented people in Jackson. They are people with great ideas; however, they are being brain-washed into thinking that they too must leave Jackson to survive.
Anything that you really NEED is still in Jackson. We build on our strengths - Not our weaknesses.

Just keep in mind that white home-owners left before the businesses. This movement had nothing to do with crime. It had all to do with racism. As previously all White residential areas began to sell their homes to Blacks, an exodus began - now to include some white owned businesses who move with the comfort of knowing - if i leave, they will follow.

This is such a simple solution. It is the way other ethnic groups have survived. Jackson can become a model for this. It is my hope that others who read the blog will find something in it that will lead to remedy.

I continue to get concerned about young blacks giving age old problems knee-jerk responses and very quick answers. I am referring to Security guard, Charles Alexander who thnks that you can pop a finger and an "anchor store" will appear in Metro-Center. Again I say, the only way to keep anchor stores is be 1. Community Support & 2. Making darn sure that these anchor stores management/owners know that WE are not following them to areas contiguous to Jackson, but, not in Jackson, proper. The third and final thing is for black folks to stop building churchs. This might sound cruel and cold; however, this is where the dollars are. Don't get my message twisted: I am not saying that we should not worship or serve. I am saying that we need to start enterprising.

The millions of dollars that are counted on Monday morning fom our churches are used to finance ivestors, merchants and new venture starters. People of color can not borrow their own funds unless they are matched 25 to 1. Sometimes, the numbers are even grater: requiring the church to mortgage everything that it owns.

Think about it: Jackson Metrocenter had "anchor stores" i.e., Sears, Penneys, Gayfers, McRaes, Holmes, Dillards, Belks, movie theater and others. Some of these stores sold to other companies; however, most moved to North Park . We as a community, followed them. I simply don't understand the logic in trying to repeat the same thing over again without some thought
being given to the root cause(s) of businesses leaving. WE must assume some responsibility and take the focus off of symptoms.

Stop begging businesses to come or to stay! Build your own! Start small! Grow! Become something other than consumers! I understand that a young African-American couple opened a skating rink in South Jackson. Support them! Carry your children and make sure that they join the rink- not destroy it!

@darryl

JFP "Do you know whom you would appoint police chief?"
Bluntson: "Yes, I do."

Hopefully, this City will not elect Frank Bluntson who was such a major player in the destructive and far too often criminal activities of Mayor Frank Melton: one who is also laced wth the devastating negative history of the Jackson Youth Detention Center.

If Bluntson is elected, I can see the return of the "Old Guard" with Peters, Danks, Black and others sitting at the head of his table.

Let's not give LEGS to this "Ghost Of Hinds County".

My message is to Leslie Hanks (quoted in this article)

"I was disappointed that the judge would proclaim from on high to keep the clinic open," said Leslie Hanks, a pro-life demonstrator who traveled to Jckson from Colorado."

Then, you are admitting that you believed that the Judge would break the law to please you and other members of your hate group.

I have one question for Leslie Hanks. Did you bring any food, money, educational opportunities, health care for the poor and under-served children of MS and their Moms? Many of these babies and their moms are alive but not well. Did you come with any plans to adopt any of the children who need parenting and the emotional support of a loving and caring person.

The next time you come to MS, please bring something other than you disappointment.

@ DonnaLadd

"Mississippi is a work-in-progress. We're better, but we have a long way to go. And we'll get there witha whole lot of uncomfortable conversation, and the willingness to both listen and to hear."

how profound!

i continue to have a foot in the past, a foot in the present; yet, my whole body is in the belief of a more positive future for race relations here in Mississippi.