Jackson Jambalaya

Well, well well, it looks like Wint McGee don't like losing. The Madison County Journal reports:

"In May 2013, Smith and McGee will likely meet again in the political arena as both have already announced intentions to run for a full term.

McGee said, "I'll be back next May. I feel real good about things after the results. I have a heart for this city no matter what and we'll try to get in there next time. I believe that in a normal election, not a special election, you'll get a lot more people out to vote from the various wards."

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The Meridian Star reports the Meridian City council cut monthly payments to Jackson developer from $10,000 per month to $1 per month on February 7:

"MERIDIAN — The Meridian City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to cut their monthly payment to David Watkins, project developer of Meridian's new police station, by $9,999 until work resumes on the project.

The order, made during the Meridian City Council meeting Tuesday morning, included a mutual agreement between the councilmen and Watkins to reduce the project developer's monthly consultant fee of $10,000 to $1, effective Tuesday.

The council voted on the issue without discussion.

"We agreed with him that since nothing was happening, that we were going to reduce that agreement until he got going back with the project and some other things started happening around town," Ward 1 Councilman Dr. George Thomas said after Tuesday's meeting.

"Part of the agreement with him was that he was going to help the city developed some projects. Since he's not going with that project right now, we both agreed that we would reduce that (Watkins' fee), and once we get going with some projects there's a possibility that they can be renegotiated," Thomas said.

Construction on the project has been halted and isn't scheduled to resume until March 15. Watkins said the project – which entails renovating an old grocery building on 22nd Avenue into a new police station that will serve the entire department – has taken significantly longer than expected to finance.

Watkins said last week there have significant delays in closing on the new market tax credits, which are an important aspect of the project’s funding. He said the original closing date for the tax credits was expected to be Dec. 15, 2011. The date has been pushed back, he said, because of problems with coordination between the numerous entities involved with the tax credits and because it took longer to than expected for the tax credits to be allocated for the project.

The project developed stressed that the project is not unfunded, there is just a delay in accessing the funds. He added that the delay will not cost the city anything.

Meridian hired Watkins Development in October 2010 to work as a consultant for the $10,000 a month fee with a one year contract that is automatically renewed each year "for a number of years", according the agreement with the city. The contract with the city states that $10,000 a month is a 50 percent reduction on the firm's usual fee.

Thomas said the $1 fee was proposed to keep Watkins "on line" with the city.

"We still want an agreement with him, if he's willing to work with the city to develop some things," Thomas said. "But, until some things start happening, we just felt basically to just have an agreement with him; the $1 fee was just a token amount to keep the agreement going without any significant amount of money in it." Article

The newspaper's editorial board hailed the decision:

MERIDIAN — Kudos to members of the Meridian City Council for voting this week to stop paying Watkins Development their $10,000 monthly consulting fee until work resumes on city projects...

With the delay, city officials were left with few options. The good news: they're not having to pay for the monthly lease on building. They won't make a payment until the building is completed.

The bad news: city police continue to wait for a new place to operate. And up until last week, Watkins was still earning the $10,000 a month, seemingly for nothing according to some councilmen.

"We expect to see at least something, new plans for other developments around the city or something," Thomas said. "It's not like the city has a huge surplus where we can just pull money. Times are tough. Our police are ready to move in..." Editorial

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Looks like paywalls at the Clarion-Ledger will be in place by the end of the year and the product will suffer a bit as the newspaper offered buyouts to quite a few veterans. JJ reported the names a few weeks ago but it was buried at the bottom of the post. Sources inform JJ the following employees were offered buyout packages:

Rick Cleveland, Bobby Cleveland, David Hampton, Ernest Hart, Deborah Skipper, Gary Pettus, Jimmie Gates, Billy Watkins, and Bill Zimmerman.

Sources also tell JJ Jerry Mitchell will be taking a three-month break to finish writing a book. Needless to say with Elizabeth Crisp leaving, there will be very little talent or experience left at the CL if all accept buyouts. Then there is the matter of the paywall. Forbes reports:

"The vogue for digital paywalls sweeping the news business has made it all the way to the top: Gannett, the nation’s largest newspaper publisher, is planning to switch over all of its 80 community newspapers to a paid model by the end of the year, it announced during an investor day held in Manhattan Wednesday." Article

Nice job, Leslie, nice job.

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That's right. I said it. This gangsta-wannabe who loves to ply the white wine circuit as yuppies ooh and ah because he likes them offered up an amendment on charter school legislation this week. Here is the amendment, completely unedited:

AMEND by striking lines 249 through 256 and substituting the following in lieu:

SECTION 5. Authorizer. (1) The Mississippi Public Charter School Authorizer Board created under subsection (2) of this section may only authorize public charter schools in a school district rated as Failing, At-Risk of Failing or Low-Performing by the State Department of Education.

Notice what category is not on there? Academic Watch, which just happens to the level of Jackson Public Schools. This website reported several days ago on the graduation rates of JPS. Male students graduate in four years at a rate of only 53%. That's right: only 1 out of every 2 male students in Jackson Public Schools graduates in four years after starting ninth grade. These pointy-heads over at Parents for Public Schools and the Department of Education can twist the statistics all they want but the fact is, if you are only graduating half the boys or girls in your district, you have a disaster on your hands.

NCLB District Report Card (Bailey Magnet p.5, Callaway p.37, Forest Hill p.57, Lanier p.105, Murrah p.137, Provine p.161 Wingfield p.221)

4-yr graduation rates
Bailey Magnet: 74%
Callaway: 61%
Forest Hill: 56%
Jim Hill: 66%
Lanier: 56%
Murrah: 74%
Provine: 49%
Wingfield: 50%

Now, lets break it down even further using the reports provided by the Dept. of Ed. The report doesn't provide schools names but we will use numbers. I am pretty sure these are in alphabetical order so I will take a leap and guess the school names. The 4-year graduation rates for black male students are placed in parenthesis next to the overall graduation rate. The links to the reports are posted below. Column M is the 4-year graduation rate for black males in Jackson public high schools once they enter ninth grade. The actual student is tracked so if he transfers or moves, the rate is not skewed. The Department of Education website states JPS is 98% black. Graduation rates, Dropout rates

Bailey Magnet: 74% (68%)
Callaway: 59% (50)
Forest Hill: 56%(49%)
Jim Hill: 66% (59%)
Lanier: 56% (54%)
Murrah: 74% (69%)
Provine: 49% (38%)
Wingfield: 50% (36%)

Now lets look at the dropout rates for the same group with the black male students in parenthesis:
Bailey Magnet School: 12% (13%)
Callaway: 28% (38%)
Forest Hill: 20% (24%)
Jim Hill: 22% (23%)
Lanier: 20% (19%)
Murrah: 15% (18%)
Provine: 37% (43%)
Wingfield: 31% (38%)

Think I'm picking on JPS? Hattiesburg High School has a graduation rate of 48%. That's it. 48%. The same school graduated only 33% of its black male students BUT the district is labeled successful and Hattiesburg High is placed on the level of "Academic Watch". 91% of the district's students are black. The dropout rate for black males is 37%. Thus under Senator Horhn's amendment, a school that graduates ONLY ONE-THIRD OF ITS MALE STUDENTS is protected from charter schools if the district is carries the academic watch label.

Mr. Horhn thinks a school that has a student body over 90% black and graduates less than half of its students and one-third of its black male students should be "protected" from charter schools. Mr. Horhn is the Klan's best friend because Hattiesburg High School, Provine, Wingfield, Callaway, and others are graduating black male students at rates only the Klan could love. Read Provine again: Only half the kids graduate, less than 40% of the black male students graduate, and the dropout rate is aorund 40%. Yet John Horhn marches lockstep with Nancy Loome and Claiborne Barksdale, fighting to keep these kids trapped in the same system- until they drop out.

Horhn's amendment gives the game away for the public school lobby. This is not about improving the education of our children but control. The public school lobby and their allies have consistently delivered an educational system that is in last place. Now that there is a serious chance the status quo will change, those who make their living off of keeping our children in last place shriek the loudest. John Horhn should explain why he thinks a school such as Provine should be protected from charter schools because if there is a school that screams out for charter school conversion, it is Provine. Twenty-five years ago a redneck legislator said "We don't need no Harvards down here". Mr. Horhn and such rednecks are one and the same as they fight to keep the Provines and Hattiesburgs as they are.

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Looks like the Senate's approval of charter schools yesterday was not quite final. The Senate approved SB# 2401 34-17 but held it on a motion to reconsider. The Public School Lobby war machine kicked it up another notch yesterday as it announced its opposition to this bill. Parents' Campaign Executive Director Nancy Loome issued another fatwah against SB#2401 last night in an email yesterday:

Today, the Senate passed its version of the charter school bill on a vote of 34-17. While there are some very good things about this bill, there are some areas that need to be changed significantly if this legislation is to help improve student achievement in Mississippi.

Senator Horhn's amendment to focus charter schools only in districts rated below Academic Watch was a step in the right direction. Our position on that amendment was to vote "yes." That amendment was defeated with 19 yeas and 32 nays. See that vote here.

The bill in its current form would do more harm than good, and so our position on the final passage vote was to vote "no." See that vote here.

Senate Education Chairman Gray Tollison acknowledged a number of times during questioning today that there are areas of the bill that still need work, yet he opposed each of the 9 amendments that were offered, promising to look at those issues and work to improve the bill.

I am hopeful that the House will do a better job of attending to the details that will determine whether or not this bill will work well for Mississippi. Done well, charter school legislation could help to propel Mississippi to the next level. Done poorly, it could diminish the success of Mississippi's Star and High Performing schools and harm significantly those communities.

Here's what needs to be improved.

* Limit charters to chronically underperforming school zones. We need to focus charter schools where they will most benefit Mississippi, where students are trapped in chronically underperforming schools. School budgets are severely underfunded, and there is little hope that the MAEP will be fully funded this year or next year. It would be irresponsible to further stretch those scarce school dollars by creating new schools - more administrators, more buildings, more overhead - where children already have good schools. We just can't afford it.
* Require a proven track record of success from charter school operators. The Senate version of the bill does not require this. The bill says that such information should be included in the application, but it does not direct the authorizer to grant charters only to those with a record of success. Under this bill, anyone could be granted a charter; there are no restrictions.
* Ensure that for-profit companies cannot run charter schools. The bill has a loophole that will allow this.
* Prohibit virtual charter schools. Fortunately, the Senate version does prohibit this form of charter school, thanks to an amendment passed by the Senate Education Committee. We need to remain vigilant about keeping them out. We will watch this in the House to make sure virtual charter schools don't make their way back into the bill. Read about virtual charter schools here.

Thank you for your hard work on this bill. I know many of you are disappointed in your legislators' votes. I've heard from so many of you today already that I cannot respond individually. Please continue to have conversations with your legislators about your position on charter school legislation. They need to know that you are paying attention and that you care deeply about the effects of this bill.

The bill will now go to the House. I'm not sure if that chamber will take up this charter bill or if it will take up its own version. We will watch it for you and keep you posted. You can find updates on our website. Thanks so much for being there for Mississippi kids!

Gratefully,

Nancy

The Clarion-Ledger published 8 letters to the editor opposing the charter schools bill and only 1 in favor of the bill. A guest column by Parents' Campaign President Claiborne Barksdale opposing the bill appeared Tuesday in the newspaper. Meanwhile I would love to publish some pro-charter school columns, fact-sheets, or similar letters to the editor but unfortunately, the pro-charter schools advocates seem to be taking the week off when it comes to PR. Stay tuned.

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The Mississippi Supreme Court suspended attorney Michael J. Brown's license to practice law on February 16, 2012. The court ruled it will dissolve the order only when the attorney presents a certified copy of an order showing he purged himself of the contempt charge in Hinds County. Chancery Judge Dewayne Thomas threw Mr. Brown in jail after ruling he could not account for $3 million in the guardianship of Damon McClinton. Mr. Brown faced more scrutiny today after Rankin County Chancery Judge Grant ordered him to come to his courtroom to discuss another guardianship.

Judge Grant said in court today he "pulled" all estate and guardianship cases where Mr. Brown was the attorney to review for any possible malfeasance. The Chancellor ordered an accounting in the guardianship of minor Drake Bolland on February 7, 2012. The court appointed the parents of Drake Bolland, John and Melissa, guardians in 2007 after their son received a $15,000 settlement due to a fireworks-related injury. Michael J. Brown represented the parents. He told the court today they had been friends and went to the same church for a long time. The court established a guardianship for the child and directed the parents to place the funds into a federally insured bank where the funds were to remain until "further order" of the court.

Judge Grant subpoenaed the Bollands and Mr. Brown to appear in his court today. Judge Grant was not happy when he learned the parents removed the money from the account and placed it into other accounts such as checking and money markets. The Bollands apparently thought they could earn a better interest rate and said they were told by Brown they could do so without permission from the court. Judge Grant ordered the parents to place the funds back into the guardianship within 48 hours. In this case fate smiled upon little Drake Bolland because the funds actually increased in value thanks to market performance over the last two years.

Judge Grant said when the hearing began he was prepared to remove the Bollands as guardians but changed his mind after hearing their testimony. The Chancellor said they had "done wrong" but "they were led to act wrong by Mike Brown. He said they acted "inappropriately" but "no substantial damage was done" thanks to the Dow Jones. He ordered them to deposit $17,437 into an account at Merchants & Farmers Bank within 48 hours and ordered the bank to show proof they had done so (Principal and interest calculated at 1.25% since original transfer.). He then warned the couple: "If you mess up again, you will be in trouble." He also ordered M&F to keep the money from going "anywhere" without his approval. Judge Grant said "I'm supposed to be more conservative with Drake's money than what's in my own pocket." Judge Grant then lectured the couple on how serious his responsibility was in protecting Drake's interests.

However, this post is not about the mishandling of a child's small trust account but the behavior of an attorney in the courtroom today. Michael J. Brown did not appear at the hearing. Judge Grant sent deputies to his home during the hearing where they unsuccessfully tried to contact Mr. Brown. The attorney finally called the administrator and said he was en route to the courthouse. Mr. Brown showed up in blue jeans and a button down shirt. He assumed the stand after Judge Grant said "all right, I'd like to hear from Mr. Brown." Mr. Brown apologized to the judge for being late and said he had marked the hearing as February 23 on his calendar.

The suspended attorney said John Bolland asked him if he could move the funds into another account. Mr. Brown said "I think I contacted Judge Grant but I said the corpus could not be touched but they could move the interest." Mr. Brown made this assertion several times while on the stand. He said the "whole idea" was not to incur any attorney's fees. He said he told them the court order allowed them to move the interest but disclaimed any responsibility for moving the corpus.

Judge Grant asked Michael J. Brown "did you inform Mr. Bolland he needed a court order?" There was a long pause. Very long pause. Long pause as in the long pause after Karen Irby made her statement to Judge Green long pause. Judge Grant than had someone give the file to Michael J. Brown. The file was opened to the order establishing the guardianship. The gray-haired Chancellor, looking and sounding like stern Spencer Tracy in Judgment at Nuremberg, asked him where in the court order did it "say interest". Mr. Brown said "I don't see it." He then said "I could've swore it was in there" (Mr. Brown used the phrase "I could've swore" several more times during the hearing.). Mr. Brown said again "I could've swore it said you could move the interest."

Judge Grant said "just show me where it says it in there." Mr. Brown looked and looked through the order. He even removed his glasses and bent over, placing his face real close to the paper, studying each word. He said nothing. Mr. Bolland said the attorney said it was "ok" to make the transfer. Judge Grant again asked him if the order said anything about moving the interest. The attorney again said he "could've swore it was in there". Mr. Brown said several times he had gotten permission from Judge Grant during an ex parte discussion on another case. Judge Grant said he did not remember any such permission or conversation. Mr. Brown even said he never received a fee for the work performed in establishing the guardianship. Judge Grant finally drew the testimony to a close after Brown apologized to the Bowlands. The episode brought to mind Mr. Brown's claim in the McClinton case he could not return the bank statements and court file as water damage destroyed them.

Judge Grant heard enough and ordered Michael J. Brown to pay $71.50 in process fees within 24 hours. Judge Grant appointed Jeffrey Rimes and Clay Baldwin as attorneys for the guardianship. While everyone was leaving the courtroom, Mr. Brown asked to approach the bench. He asked Judge Grant "Judge, do you not remember we had that conversation in your chambers?" Judge Grant immediately and strongly said "I have no recollection and furthermore, I would never make a statement like that. This does not need to go any further." The Judge then left the courtroom in obvious disgust.

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They've done it again. See if you can spot the error.

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The Senate Education Committee approved a charter school bill today before a packed room. The committee also approved an amendment by Senator David Blount striking all language concerning virtual schools. Only one Senator voted against the amendment.

Lobbyists, educators, Superintendents, and politicians packed the audience as the Senate moved the meeting to a larger room to accommodate the crowd. There was the feeling this was a different day in Mississippi- and they all knew it. There was little debate on the bill, no colorful speeches by supporters of public schools, just a few questions, some discussion, and then a couple of votes. Here is the video of the hearing:





SB# 2401

Meanwhile, Nancy Loome, Executive Director of the Parents' Campaign (funded by Parents for Public Schools), sent out this email this afternoon:

Dear

This morning, the Senate Education Committee amended the charter school bill to prohibit virtual charter schools. Senator David Blount offered the amendment, and it passed overwhelmingly.

Senator Blount and the committee are to be commended for their strong stand on this issue - one that protects Mississippi children and taxpayers. Read about virtual charter schools here. Thank you for your great work on that piece of the bill. You spoke up, and legislators heard you.

Now we need one more amendment on the Senate floor to make this a workable bill, and we believe our position aligns well with the Lieutenant Governor's position.

There is a misconception that we want to prevent charter schools from competing with unsuccessful schools that are in successful school districts. This is not correct. Our focus is on schools, not districts.

Children who are trapped in underperforming schools (below successful on the state's accountability system) should have a charter school option - even if the underperforming school is in a successful district. All children in Mississippi's 232 persistently underperforming schools need help. What we cannot afford is to create new schools where the public schools already are doing a good job.

Please call your senator with this message:

Amend Senate Bill 2401 to limit charter schools to the school attendance zones of underperforming schools (including those in successful school districts) or vote no on the bill. We must focus charter schools where they are needed. We cannot afford to create more schools - more administrators, more buildings, more overhead - in places where we already have good public schools.

Please call your senator today - and ask your friends and family to call, too:

I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your terrific work so far on this bill. Thank you for the many, many calls, emails, and words of support. Constituents overwhelmingly agree with us on this issue; make sure that your legislators know where you stand. The bill will probably be taken up on the Senate floor in the next day or two.

Ask everyone you know to call their senators today and tell them to amend the bill or kill it. If this bill fails, we'll have another shot at a charter school bill in the House. Legislators are getting lots of pressure from lobbyists and all sorts of folks they were not elected to represent. They need to hear from you - their constituents.

This is a very, very important bill for public education, and we need your help to make it work well for Mississippi children. I promise to keep you updated; check our website for the most recent postings. Stay tuned, and stay after it! Our kids really are counting on us.

Many, many thanks,

Nancy

Meanwhile, the website of the leading advocate for charter schools, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, is silent on the passing of the bill or what it means for the charter school movement.

The Democratic Trust sent out this email this afternoon as well:

Jackson, MS - Today, the Mississippi Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill 2401, the “Mississippi Public Charter Schools Act of 2012”. During committee, Sen. David Blount (D-Jackson) offered an amendment to strip virtual charter schools from the bill. The bill ultimately passed the full committee and will now be in line for consideration by the full Senate.

Brandon Jones, Executive Director of the Mississippi Democratic Trust said, “Democrats are ready and willing to embrace any innovation that may improve the quality of education provided in Mississippi’s failing school districts but any change to our current system should account for those communities that are getting it right.” Jones added, “If we introduce changes that ultimately serve to destabilize high performing schools, we will have done a disservice to the children in our best schools.”

Sen. Kelvin Butler (D-McComb) said, “Accountability is the key. We should implement charter schools with a scalpel and not a cleaver. This means limiting charters to underperforming districts and restricting the operation of virtual, online profit centers.” Butler added, “There are groups who would like to profit off of Mississippi’s educational dilemma. We have to make sure that any charter school bill contains safeguards that protect Mississippi children and Mississippi taxpayers.”

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Yup. D.I Smith won against Wint McGee tonight. 1156-939. Still have some absentees to count.

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The Mike Brown and Linus Shackelford saga continues. Today we go back to 1998 when Mr. Shackelford was accused of lying to a Hinds County Chancellor in order to gain the life insurance money paid to the estate of his son after he was killed in a car wreck.

Linus Shackelford's son, John Shackelford, died when his Jeep left I-55 and rolled over several times on October 1, 1997. Young Shackelford was 20 years old and had no will. He did have a life insurance policy that had a value of $17,500. Linus asked the chancery court to appoint him administrator of the estate on April 28, 1998. The petition listed only Linus Shackelford and his ex-wife, Paula Lancaster, as heirs of law and next of kin. Just one problem. Actually three problems in the form of three siblings. Yup. The petition does not mention any siblings of John Shackelford.

The petition and order for Linus and Paula's divorce in 1984 states there were four children: Matt, Julie, Litricia, and John. Three of the children survived John but were not listed on the petition. The Chancellor thus had no way of knowing the deceased had three siblings who could be potential heirs at law. The petition was signed and submitted by attorneys James Renfroe and Roy Periloux. The Chancellor approved Linus as administrator and said the only next of kin were the mother and father.

Linus Shackelford then submitted a bill for $41,449 in funeral expenses from Lakeland Place Commemorative Gardens, Inc to "Linus Shackelford", father of the deceased. There is no mention in any of the documents filed at that time that Linus Shackelford was the owner of Lakeland Place. This was to be a fancy funeral. $18,000 for a mausoleum. $4,000 for an "individualized portrait". $5,000 for a road side space "by special feature area". $3,195 for a bronze memorial. $1,149 for a maintenance contract. The estate then filed a public advertisement for creditors in the newspaper.

AIG deposited a check for $16,500 with the court. Linus claimed all of the proceeds so AIG asked the court to decide how the insurance policy should be paid.

However, there was no stopping Linus as he registered a claim for 41,449 with the court against the estate. It was the only claim submitted to the court by a creditor. Linus filed a petition to close the estate on January 21, 1999. The petition stated the parents were the only next of kin but there was no need to contact them anyway as the "claims filed against the estate exceed the value of the estate." Yup. you read that right. Linus Shackelford submitted a bill for funeral expenses of $41,449 to the court from his own company without disclosing he owned the company and it was the only claim against the estate and it just happened to be greater than the value of the life insurance policy. He requested the court issue the funds to him for the payment of the claim. Mr. Shackelford even patted himself on the back, stating "the administrator has done an excellent job in the probate of the estate, and that he does not request a fee for said services" (Make your own comment). The court agreed and closed the estate.

Story is over, right? Nope. Just gets better. Remember, you are in Mississippi. Linus Shackelford decided to sue Chrysler for defective design of the Jeep that allegedly caused the death of his son. He filed a petition to reopen the estate on October 14, 1999 so he could pursue the suit. Linus suddenly names his ex-wife Paula and in a fit of sudden remembrance no doubt divinely inspired, listed his three other children, Matt, Julie, and Litricia, as potential heirs. Attorney Michael Brown represented Linus, the first time his name appears in this ordeal.

Paula Lancaster then shows up and files a petition to reopen everything on May 13, 2002. She points out his petition in 1997 asking the court to appoint him as administrator of the estate did not mention the existence of any of his children other than John. She alleged Linus did not have her served with process even though he knew where she lived. She accused him of making "certain frauds and representations" on the court so he could obtain all of the money from the life insurance policy. Paula then alleges the funeral expenses claimed by Linus on the invoice were never "incurred nor paid". She included pictures of the grave site (see documents posted below.). The pictures show no mausoleum or fancy portraits but simply some dirt heaped piled up on a grave site.

Ms. Lancaster claimed she did not know of the lawsuit against Chrysler or petition to reopen the estate until Linus's attorney sent her a notice to take her deposition and a copy of the complaint. She asked the court to appoint her as administrator and force Linus to repay the $16,500.

The case settled for $225,000. Litirica and Matt, the brother and sister of the deceased, filed a response on August 19, 2002, stating they had did not know anything about their brother's estate nor were they notified about any transactions regarding the estate. They accuse their father of "deliberately" making "false statements" to the court and that he "submitted fraudulent claims" for $41,449 when "the actual cost of the funeral was $6100. The siblings asked the court to allow them to exhume the body so they could move it so as to give their brother a decent resting place besides a pile of dirt. This request was made nearly five years after his death. Sister Julie made a similar request of the court and accused her father of lying in order to steal the life insurance money.

The case settled and was dismissed with prejudice on July 17, 2003. Sources inform this correspondent Judge Singletary strongly urged the parties to settle the case. The settlement paid by Chrysler was adjusted so as to pay all claims and reimburse the injured parties for any funds wrongfully taken in the payment of the life insurance policy. It is the understanding of this correspondent Mr. Shackelford improved the burial site of his son after the motion to exhume was filed. A mausoleum now houses his grave.

Mr. Shackleford and Mr. Brown are still under a court order freezing their assets and face contempt of court charges in the guardianship of DaMon McClinton after Chancellor Dewayne Thomas ruled $3 million meant for Mr. McClinton disappeared. A hearing will be held in March regarding Brown and Shackelford.

Note: Keep in mind the pictures are presented by one party. They are not verified and the case never went to trial.

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Charter school bill passes. Blount offers amendment to strike all virtual school language. Amendment passes.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

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So someone who supports Parents for Public Schools today told me how great schools are in Jackson and how they could measure up against any one in the country. Well, lets take a look at a couple of statistics for all of you public school supporters. I'm sure another $300 million would solve this problem or a teacher pay raise of $10,000 per year would as well. Take a look at these dropout and graduation rates from the Mississippi Department of Education's own website. Burnham likes to say they have cut the dropout rate to 17% from the 2005 rate of 25% reported by PEER.


Here are the 4th year cohort graduation rates for the ninth graders in 2006/2007. I chose males to show a problem. In all districts listed below, female students had much higher rates:

Amite County: 46%
Canton: 41%
Coahoma: 55%
Covington: 55%
Durant: 33%
East Tallahatchie: 49%
Franklin County: 46%
Greenville: 44%
Greenwood: 48% (But Rep. Willie Perkins gets mad over black kids attending private schools.)
Jackson Public: 53%
Jefferson County: 51%
Kemper: 51%
Laurel: 48%
Leflore County: 54%
McComb: 53%
Natchez-Adams: 34%. Thats right. Thirty-damn-four percent.
Okolona Seperate: 48%
North Panola: 53%
Philadelphia: 54%
South Pike: 40%
Sunflower County: 46%
Tunica County: 41%
Vicksburg-Warren: 45%
Water Valley: 49%
West Tallahatchie: 37%
West Point: 50%
Yazoo City: 54%
Yazoo County: 49%

28 school districts. ONE OUT OF EVERY TWO male students OR LESS failed to graduate in four years. Now you ready for the really bad news? Except for the alternative schools and Okalona Separate School District, NOT ONE SINGLE DISTRICT had black female students graduate at a rate less than 50%. However, there were 28 school districts where the black male students graduated at a less than 50% rate. Many of them were in the thirties. You read that right. Chart of data. Read it for yourself and weep. Comprehensive data for graduation, completion, and dropout rates.

However, I don't want to be accused of cherry-picking or slanting statistics. Here are the four-year dropout rates for the same period. Chart. See column J. Black male students are in column CL.. I only listed those over 25%.

Amite County: 30%
Canton: 30%
Drew: 29%
Durant: 35%
East Tallahatchie: 32%
Forest City: 25%
Greenville: 38%
Hattiesburg: 25%
Hazlehurst: 26%
Holmes County: 31%
Jackson Public: 23%
Laurel: 29%
Lawrence County: 26%
Natchez-Adams: 39%
North Panola: 30%
Oktibbeha County: 28%
South Pike: 27%
Sunflower County: 36%
Tunica County: 26%
Vicksburg-Warren: 35%
West Tallahatchie: 40% THE WINNER!!!
Wilkinson County: 28%
Yazoo County: 34%
Total: 23 district

Anyone see a problem? There is a great deal of useful information in these charts. Since I am sure I did not begin to touch of the useful data, feel free to chime in with your own observations.

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The Parents' Campaign has been making quite a bit of noise lately as it wades into the charter school debate. Who exactly is the Parents' Campaign? The organization's mission statement is "The goal of The Parents’ Campaign is to engender a public education system that affords all students access to excellent schools so that children can become what they dream." It states its 2012 legislative priorities are to improve funding, teacher quality, and school leadership for public schools. Who could be against those goals?

The lightning rod for the Parents Campaign is Nancy Loome, Executive Director and the 2005 Parent of the Year (State Board of Education winner). She sends the blast emails, speaks to the media, and handles the talking points. The Parent's Campaign and Ms. Loome have become very prominent in the charter schools fight in 2012. The organization professes to support charter schools- with a list of restrictions on how and where they can operate. It is this columnists opinion PC opposes charter schools and is using the amendment process to castrate any charter school legislation.

The tax returns for the Parents' Campaign make one thing clear: the organization is a front for Parents for Public Schools, the public school advocacy group. The 2010 Form 990 (posted below) for the Parents' Campaign state it had total revenue of $237,789. Salaries and employee benefits were $194,028 (81% of revenue). It reported an operating deficit of $27,560 (Hmmm.... no wonder the idea of for-profit charter schools is anathema to this group.).

The chairman is Claiborne Barksdale and the Vice-Chairman is Dick Molpus, the leading public school advocate in the state. Mr. Molpus founded Parents for Public Schools and Mr. Barksdale is the Chief Executive Officer of the Barksdale Reading Institute. The 990 states Ms. Loome is paid $99,040 per year and benefits worth $9,540. The old adage is follow the money. Well, the old adage is true in this case as the money leads back to the public school lobby: Parents for Public Schools and the Barksdale Institute.

Parents for Public Schools gave the Parents' Campaign $175,000 while the Barksdale Institute gave $42,000. PPS gave PC $150,000 in 2009, and $150,000 in 2008. The Parents' Campaign only had revenue of $237,789 in 2010. Thus the Parent's Campaign is likely a front for the public school lobby- Parents for Public Schools and the Barksdale Institute.

Lobbying. Lobbying. Lobbying Parents' believes it lobbysts as it pays Ms. Loome $13,283 in 2011 to lobby and reported three other lobbyists in 2011 although none made over $3,000. Camille Scales Young registered as a lobbyist for the Parents' Campaign last Friday. Her compensation is unknown. Given that the Parents' Campaign is a lobbying arm of the public school lobby, they should be recognized as such during the charter school debate.

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Nancy Loome, Executive Director of the Parents Campaign, sent out a blast email last week about charter schools. You see, she supports charter schools. She really likes the concept. Of course we should try them in Mississippi. However, we just need to make sure we pass the right bill. Here is her email with embedded commentary from yours truly:

The Senate Education Committee will vote on the charter school bill on Tuesday morning.

We need your help to get the bill amended to achieve our goal of improving student achievement and providing good options for kids who are trapped in chronically underperforming schools.

Nice start. We want to help those who need it. We want to get them some good learnin'. Who could be against that? Kill more flies with honey than vinegar, you know. Wait, there is that word, amended. Hmmmm....... what's that about? Keep reading.

Please call your senator and Lt. Governor Tate Reeves before Tuesday and ask them to support amendments that:

There is that amending word again. Does this email support the bill or will it be subjected to death by a million amendments, oops I meant cuts.

1. Restrict charters to chronically underperforming school zones - We cannot afford to create more schools - more administrators, more buildings, more overhead - in places where we already have excellent public schools.

Ah yes, money.... and irony. Someone who supports the bureaucratic and inefficient ways of public schools suddenly discovers fiscal responsibility. I don't seem to remember Ms. Loome sending out emails complaining about how JPS spends much more money than Desoto Public Schools even though they educate the same number of students or how JPS wasted a bond issue a few years ago. Or the fiasco when JPS paid two superintendants- one to work and one to stay at home. In fact, did she ever say anything when it came out in court testimony most of Jackson's middle schools were in bad shape? Just wondering.

Then there is the matter of "chronically underperforming school zones." Notice she wrote "school zones", not schools. As Mr. Reeves wrote yesterday, a "successful" school zone can still have bad schools. This little trick of restricting charter schools to "underperforming school zones" is an attempt to make it harder to deliver charter schools to the kids who need them the most.

Folks, we are dead last in education. We might swap places with Louisiana from time to time but we are dead last. Period. Does anyone even think our best schools truly match up with the best public schools in the country? Or even against local private schools like Jackson Prep or St. Andrews? Competition is never a bad thing. Competition will help the kids who need it the most and push the better schools to improve. The winner is the children.

2. Prohibit virtual charter schools - It is astounding that anyone would want to allow virtual charters into Mississippi. In other states, virtual charter schools have moved student achievement backward while their executives have pocketed a fortune - in state tax dollars! Read about it here.

Heeeeeeelllllllllllppppppp!!!!! Virtual schools, virtual schools, lions and tigers and virtual schools, oh my! Virtual schools are not the boogieman and have their place in Mississippi public education. They are a great too for educating gifted students or those with special needs. Have a child with Asperger's? The child may have a high IQ and can learn but not in a classroom or social setting. Virtual schools might be a good fit for that student. Child has an IQ of 150 but lives in Kemper County or the Canton school district and want to take Chinese or advanced physics? Chances of him getting those classes at his local public school are zilch. If he went to a school such as Baton Rouge Magnet High, he could take these classes:

Languages: Spanish, French, Latin, German, Greek, Chinese.
Advanced sciences: bio. 2 ap, physics 2 ap, chem. 2 ap, environmental science ap
Advanced maths: calculus ab ap, calculus bc ap, statistics ap, discrete math
Advanced social studies: us history ap, econ. ap, European history ap, world history ap.

Too many school districts in Mississippi are poor and rural in nature. They don't have the funds or teachers to offer advanced classes to the few students who need them. Check out the website of Lake Attendance center. Less than twenty high school teachers on staff. It doesn't take a genius to realize that school probably does not have teachers who can teach chinese or advanced physics. Too often our other special students- the gifted and talented- are underserved by the public school system. Remember the fight over Montessori in Jackson? Good schools but people like Eric Stringfellow had the attitude that if we couldn't offer it to everyone, then we should offer it to no one, an attitude that unfortunately, holds Mississippi back and hurts those who need help the most. Virtual schools will address that problem.

Ms. Loome also very conveniently ignores Florida has a virtual public high school that serves over 100,000 students. Florida virtual schools. Virtual schools are a tool and like any other tool, they can be used poorly or wisely. Ms. Loome and the public school lobby, who has us in last place, do not think they should be used at all.

3. Require a proven track record of success from charter school management organizations - We can't afford to waste scarce taxpayer dollars on inexperienced "mom and pop" charter organizers who don't know what they are doing.

No one is advocating bringing in charter school companies with no track record although I am sure Socrates Garrett is trying to figure out a way to partner with a charter school so he can get the "minority contract" in black school districts.

4. Ensure that for-profit companies cannot run charter schools - For-profits cut corners on education to rake in greater profits. The bill has a loophole that will allow this.

Please call before Tuesday - and ask your friends and family to call, too.

Oh really? WHAT exactly is so virtuous about non-profit companies? Guess what Blue Cross/Blue Shield, St. Dominics, and many of your hospitals are? Non-profits. Last time I checked, they all have quite a few executives making six-figure salaries with all of the perks. All companies, profit and non-profit, operate on the profit motive for no other reason- if they don't make a profit, they will eventually cease to exist. There is nothing wrong with a principal making over $100,000 a year if he is a top producer or a company making a profit if it delivers results in the form of highly educated students. Tie compensation to performance and results, just like in the private sector. Empower the principal to experiment and try different educational methods, which he can do in a charter school. We currently practice a cookie cutter approach to public education in Mississippi and have cookie cuttered ourselves to last place.

Learn the facts about the bill. The Mississippi Business Journal published a good review of the bill last week for those of you who don't have the time to read all 60-odd pages. Ms. Loome's missive is actually a literary judo move against charter schools. Ms. Loome and her Parents for Public Schools-funded campaign supporters know the legislature is going to pass some form of charter-school legislation.

Ms. Loome is not going to scream bansai, bow to Emperor Molpushito, and try to kill charter school legislation as it would be nothing more than a suicide attack in a Republican legislature. What Ms. Loome is doing is much more clever: profess support for charter schools while using amendments to water down the bill or make it ineffective. She wants to improve the bill, you see. The goal for Ms. Loome and PPS is to keep charter schools from coming to Mississippi, Ms. Loome is attempting to water down charter schools bills with amendments that will make it almost impossible to implement charter schools in Mississippi.

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Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves penned a column promoting charter schools that appeared in several newspapers today. The Lieutenant Governor wrote:

"This week, the state Senate will vote on allowing public charter schools in Mississippi. I would like to present the facts about this important legislation.

This bill creates an independent commission that will either approve or deny only the best charter school operators with a proven track record of success. Appointees will be from the governor, lieutenant governor, Department of Education and the state College Board.

Public charter schools would be funded with existing dollars from the federal, state and local levels. No new taxes would be added. The funds within the current school funding formula, the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, would follow students to their schools of choice.

Public charter schools could be allowed (but are not required) in any district in the state. However, the local school boards of districts rated as "star" or "high performing" by the state Department of Education also would have to give a stamp of approval to any charter school seeking to open within those top districts.

The independent commission will have the authority to allow charter schools in the other districts rated as "successful," on "academic watch," or "low performing."

These districts contain too many struggling schools, and our parents and students deserve an alternative.

Let me be clear: Being labeled as "successful" does not necessarily mean a district's schools are meeting the state minimum requirements. In reality, districts can earn the label of "successful" while housing schools that are "low performing," on "academic watch," or "failing."

For example, the East Tallahatchie County School District is rated as "successful" despite its three schools being rated as "low performing" or on "academic watch." The McComb School District has three schools on "academic watch" though the district has been deemed "successful." We cannot settle for simply successful districts producing average, or lower-than-average, results.

Mississippi is not entering new territory by allowing charter schools. Parents in New Orleans, Memphis and the Arkansas Delta have enjoyed a choice in their children's education for many years...

Charter schools have the flexibility to meet the needs of today's families while being held accountable for improving student achievement. If they fail, their charters will be revoked.

Public charter schools are not the answer to all of our educational challenges; however, they do give parents a choice in their child's education....." Rest of column

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The Mississippi Business Journal reported Anheuser-Busch jumped on board the craft beer bandwagon:

“Anheuser-Busch is proud to support the effort to raise the ABW limit for beer in Mississippi,” said Doug Bailey, region vice president of state affairs at Anheuser-Busch. ”Increasing the state’s ABW limits will allow beer drinkers access to a greater variety of beers, including many of Anheuser-Busch’s high-end, specialty beers. It also will boost the state’s beer and hospitality industries..." Rest of article

Prediction: Some form of craft beer legislation will pass. Its not an election year, Dean Kirby is no longer chairman of Senate Finance Committee, and some of the major players like AB are now behind the effort to raise the limit. The craft beer advocacy group Raise Your Pints now has Hayes Dent for a lobbyist while AB still retains top lobbyist Beth Clay at a fee of $90,000 per year. Ms. Clay's son Stephen is the director of beer lobby PAC Capital Advocacy Group.

CAG donated $29,452 to politicians and PAC's in 2011 and reported last month it had over $16,000 in cash on hand. 2011 post on AB donations The only donations made to CAG are from Anheuser-Busch. AB donated $5,000 to its PAC in 2011. The donations will show the usual pattern by CAG- a nice contribution of $5,000 to the Lieutenant Governor. Oddly enough, Senator Dean Kirby did not receive a single contribution from CAG in 2011. AB went all in with Republicans as it gave $5,000 to a Republican PAC: Forward Mississippi and the same amount to the 2012 Swearing-In Committee.

Josh Harkins: $500
Angela Cockerham: $500
Lynn Fitch: $1,000
Will Longwitz: $500
Forward Mississippi PAC: $5,000
2012 Swearing-In Committee: $5,000
Dick Hall: $1,500
Mike Chaney: $500
Lynn Posey: $500
Buck Clarke: $500
Tate Reeves: $5,000
Doug Davis: $500
Sampson Jackson: $250
Phil Bryant: $1,000
Joey Fillingane: $1,000
Rita Martinson: $250
John Horhn: $500
Delbert Hoseman: $1,000
John Moore: $250

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Or, Judge Tomie Green still has problems understanding the concept of separation of powers.


Hinds County Circuit Judge Tomie Green told Sheriff Lewis his authority over his employees ends at the courthouse doors. Judge Green issued an order late this afternoon preventing Sheriff Tyrone Lewis from transferring, demoting, or reducing the salaries of any bailiffs without her consent. The order was also signed in concurrence by Judges Melvin Priester, Bill Gowan, and Patricia Wise. The Sheriff attempted to transfer several bailiffs to other duty and reduce the rank of some who are not certified law enforcement officers.

Sheriff Tyrone Lewis told JJ thirty-one HCSO employees were assigned as bailiffs: two captains, five sergeants, three corporals, and twenty-one deputies. Only one captain and two deputies are certified. The Sheriff said he preferred to have captains and sergeants supervising deputies, not sitting in a courtroom full-time. The Sheriff also said bailiffs who were not certified were going to be reduced to the rank of deputy unless they obtained said certification and receive deputy pay as well. Sheriff Lewis said he has been reorganizing the staff with an emphasis placed on deputies who are certified law enforcement officers.

The order refers to a previous order issued by the circuit court in 1996 establishing the rules and procedures for bailiffs serving Hinds County.The order states Sheriff Lewis entered special orders on February 15, 2012 that "adversely affected" bailiffs attached to the courts of Hinds County. Judge Green claims the orders also demote, transfer, and reduce the pay of said personnel without the "notice and consent of the Circuit Court of Hinds County." Judge Green decreed the orders are in direct violation of the 1996 order.

Judge Green also said the 1996 order states the Sheriff can not discharge bailiffs without the consent of the judge and must set their salaries on an "equitable basis" (See 1996 order posted below). The 1996 order states "Salaries for Court Bailiffs shall be set by the Sheriff on an equitable basis". The Sheriff told this correspondent he considered different levels of pay based upon certification to be equitable. The 1996 order refers to the bailiffs as "officers of the court" and said they "do not function as party of any law enforcement agency." The 1996 order states the bailiff is "a confidential employee of the judge" and the Sheriff "may remove" them for "good cause upon advice and consent of the judge."

It should be pointed out the orders do not cite any law from the Mississippi Code or Constitution nor is any case law mentioned. Section 19-25-19 of the Mississippi Code covers the hiring of deputies by the Sheriff:

"Every sheriff shall have power to appoint one or more deputies to assist him in carrying out the duties of his office, every such appointment to be in writing, to remove them at pleasure, and to fix their compensation, subject to the budget for the sheriff's office approved by the county board of supervisors. Such deputies shall have authority to do all the acts and duties enjoined upon their principals. Every deputy sheriff, except such as may be appointed to do a particular act only, before he enters on the duties of office, shall take and subscribe an oath faithfully to execute the office of deputy sheriff, according to the best of his skill and judgment. The appointment, with the certificate of the oath, shall be filed and preserved in the office of the clerk of the board of supervisors. All sheriffs shall be liable for the acts of their deputies, and for money collected by them. The circuit court, after a notice and a hearing, shall have power to remove such deputies and also bailiffs, upon a showing that the public interest will be served thereby. Each deputy sheriff shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age, a qualified elector of the State of Mississippi, and shall not have been convicted of a felony. Prior to appointing any person a deputy sheriff, the sheriff shall determine that the proposed appointee is of good moral character and is capable of fairly and impartially enforcing the law of the State of Mississippi."

The Mississippi Attorney General issued an opinion on the matter of who has the power to hire and fire bailiffs in a 1998 opinion (Opinion No. 98-0687)*:

"Therefore, a deputy who is serving as bailiff may be removed from office at will by the sheriff or may be removed from office by a circuit judge after notice and a hearing, if the public interest will be served. There is no statutory provision that gives the court the authority to “veto” or invalidate a sheriff's decision to transfer a deputy serving as bailiff."

The Sheriff and his counsel Dana Price said they had not decided on what course of action would be pursued regarding Judge Green's order. The Sheriff also said the judges were free to supplement the bailiffs' pay with funds from their own budgets.



Additional Attorney General opinions:

Opinion No. 96-0166 (March 29, 1996): 3. "In general terms, to whom does a deputy sheriff assigned to bailiff duty by the sheriff ultimately answer, the sheriff who appointed him or the judge to whom he has been assigned?"

Thus a sheriff has ultimate authority over a deputy appointed by him, even if that deputy is assigned as a bailiff. The sheriff has the authority to transfer or terminate a deputy at will. However, §19-25-19 also states, “the circuit court, after a notice and a hearing, shall have the power to remove such deputies and also bailiffs, upon a showing that the public interest will be served thereby.” Therefore, a deputy who is serving as bailiff may be removed from office at will by the sheriff or may be removed from office by a circuit judge after notice and a hearing, if the public interest will be served. There is no statutory provision that gives the court the authority to “veto” or invalidate a sheriff's decision to transfer a deputy serving as bailiff

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Our Lieutenant Governor and his wife announce the birth of their third child:

"JACKSON – Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and his wife Elee welcomed the couple’s third daughter into the world today. Madeline Tate Reeves was born at 9:36 a.m. and weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces and is 19 inches in length. Mother and daughter are doing well, and big sisters Sarah Tyler and Elizabeth Magee are excited for the arrival of their new sister.

“Elee and I thank everyone for their well wishes and prayers over the past several months,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “We have been blessed with a healthy and beautiful baby girl, and I know Tyler and Emma are thrilled and ready to play with their new little sister.”

Three daughters? Tate must've been a really wild child. ;-)

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Nancy Loome, Executive Director for the Parents Campaign, sent out an email about charter schools this week. Usual fire up the troops missive, contact your legislator, etc. She of course claims to be for charter schools. I mean, she really really likes them. They just need some adjusting is all. This is all you need to know about her idea about implementing charter schools:

Here is what her website actually states:

"The Parents’ Campaign supports the authorization of a conversion or of an open-enrollment charter school in the school attendance zone of any traditional public school that for the two most recent years has had an accountability rating that is below Successful (Academic Watch, Low Performing, At Risk of Failing, or Failing).

The Parents' Campaign supports the conversion of a traditional public school to charter school status when at least 20% of the registered voters living within the attendance zone of the consistently unsuccessful traditional public school sign a petition requesting the conversion.

It is the position of The Parents' Campaign that open-enrollment charter schools should be allowed in zones in which a school has been consistently unsuccessful but no "conversion" has been sought. Open-enrollment charter schools should use a true lottery system to determine enrollment. A true lottery means that every child attending the traditional public school within the attendance zone in which the charter school is located shall be entered into a random selection process (lottery). Parents who do not want their child(ren) to attend the charter school should have the opportunity to opt out. Students attending public schools that have had unsuccessful ratings for the two most recent years and are located within either the district in which the charter school is located or a district that shares a common boundary with the district in which a charter school is located should have the right to opt in to the lottery

The Parents' Campaign believes further that all chartering entities (schools and their management organizations) should be non-profit, required to have a track record of success in improving student achievement in a low performing school prior to establishing a charter school in Mississippi, and authorized by a single entity: Mississippi's State Board of Education. We believe that virtual charter schools should be prohibited.."

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Here is a somewhat interesting clip from the video I shot at yesterday's meeting of the PRVWSD Board. President Jack Winstead took it upon himself to lecture everyone who attended the meeting because of the proposed fee increase a few things. You see, they just don't understaaaand how we do things around here, you git that boy? Don't be going to none of them nosey reporters and if you have a problem, you better just come to us. See for yourself:

Before I start quoting Ezekiel, allow me retort. The board is not elected but appointed from various agencies and governments. Elections are not a concern for them so thus they are not answerable to reservoir community if they choose not to be. This clip can be used by some as a good example of why the board should be revamped with some members who are elected and more representative of the reservoir area. Several of the parties affected by this fee increase told me the vote for the increase in January took place before they were notified of the change. In other words, they had no clue this proposal was coming until after the board had already taken action on it.

The District does not post agendas or minutes on its website, a common practice among governments in the Jackson area. The names of board members are not published on the website or if they are, they are buried somewhere that is hard to find. The fee was considered to be a fait accompli (For the rednecks in Scott County, that means it was already done.). Unelected board, no notice, vote already taken. I can't imagine why they tipped off the media. Perhaps if the board followed standard practices followed by other local governments in Mississippi, there would have been no need for the media to appear yesterday. Perhaps Mr. Winstead should geaux look in the mirror instead of talking down to those present yesterday. He should remember the government serves us, not the other way around.

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The Board of Directors for the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District voted to rescind a new policy imposing new fees for special events held on district property. The policy generated much controversy this week after it was learned fees would rise from $500 to the greater of either $1,500 or 10% of all revenue received for the two largest special events- Pepsi Pops and the Dragonboat Regatta. The fee would include income generated from sponsorships, vendors, ticket sales, and entrance fees. Several groups such as Brown Bottling, the Mississippi Symphony, and the Madison County Chamber of Commerce complained. The policy was approved by the district's Shoreline Committee last Monday.

Board member and Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee moved to rescind the policy at the board meeting. It should be noted Mayor McGee voted for the policy at the January meeting. The Ridgeland Mayor then said later the January vote by the board for the new policy was "hasty". Board President Jack Winstead then lectured the audience on taking problems to the media and "politicians" instead of discussing them with the board (5:45 in video). Proposed policy, Earlier post on fee increase

Several representatives complained to this correspondent as well as other reporters the district did not inform them of the new policy until late January. They said budgets and ticket prices were already set thus the new fees would cause an unexpected and severe hardship. Kasey Perry of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce said it would reverse a projected first-time profit for the regatta to yet another loss. Reservoir officials were unable to provide JJ what the actual district expenses for Pepsi Pops and regatta were although the executive director estimated they were two to three thousand dollars each for the two events.

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The Mississippi Republican Party sent out a press release announcing the leadership in the House of Representatives:

JACKSON- The Mississippi House Republican Caucus elected the following to leadership positions today:
Republican Caucus Leader: Philip Gunn
Republican Caucus Chairman: Greg Snowden
Republican Caucus Whip: Mark Formby
Republican Caucus Vice-Chairman: Wanda Jennings
Republican Caucus Secretary: Jessica Upshaw
Republican Caucus Treasurer: Andy Gipson
Republican Deputy Whip: Brian Aldridge
Republican Deputy Whip: Charles Busby
Republican Deputy Whip: Randy Boyd
Republican Deputy Whip: Gary Chism
Republican Deputy Whip: Becky Currie
Republican Deputy Whip: Hank Lott
Republican Deputy Whip: Steve Massengill
Republican Deputy Whip: Kevin McGee

“The House Republicans have chosen a great group to help lead the party in the House for the next four years,” remarked Speaker Philip Gunn. “I look forward to working with each and every one of them, and I know they will be very strong assets in promoting conservative legislation in this chamber.”

“I congratulate the men and women elected today to these important positions,” added Joe Nosef, Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party. “Along with Speaker Gunn, they will help guide the House in a conservative direction over the next four years.”

I already know what some of you are going to say. Go ahead.

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The House Democrats sent me the following column penned by none other than Representative Cecil Brown. Subject: pardons.

The recent flap over Haley Barbour’s 200 pardons and commutations has highlighted problems in our current gubernatorial clemency processes. At my request, the staff of the legislative Performance and Expenditure Review Committee (PEER) reviewed the files of those who were pardoned. The files for five of those who were pardoned could not be located. The files for 10 of those pardoned contained no application for pardon. (Such an application is required by parole board rules.) Sixteen applicants were granted pardons in spite of negative recommendations by the Parole Board. Thirteen of those sixteen received a unanimous “no” vote by the Board. The sixteen whose applications received no votes by the Board had been convicted of crimes ranging from murder to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine. It is important to note the report was from PEER staff pursuant to a legislative request and is not part of an official PEER Committee report.

Because of the public interest in the Karen Irby matter, I also asked the staff to review her file. The Governor’s office, the Parole Board and the Department of Corrections all reported that they could not locate a file for Karen Irby. It seems to have disappeared. If such a file exists, the Parole Board should have a copy because much of the information in such a file would have been collected by the Parole Board in fulfillment of its statutory duty.

Governor Barbour has maintained that in granting pardons and commutations he relied on the Parole Board recommendations. In at least 16 cases that appears to not be true. Unfortunately, whatever recommendations the Parole Board has made are not reflected in their minutes, probably a violation of state law. In addition, the Board keeps no record of what files they have transmitted to the Governor for review. Therefore, it is almost impossible to track individual recommendations from the Board to the Governor’s office, and control over the files, which are official government documents, cannot be maintained.

Finally, there is no record of where the requests for clemency originated. Did the Governor send a list of individuals to the Parole Board, or did the Board send a list to the Governor? There is no answer to that question in the records.

I will be introducing legislation to correct these problems in the current legislative session. I support the Governor’s right to grant clemency. It is an important tool to serve justice when properly executed. However, there should be a process in place to insure that there is proper documentation of all the relevant facts. All official actions of the Parole Board should be spread upon their minutes, and those minutes and all public documents should be preserved, tracked and available for public review. It is unconscionable that the Parole Board has handled such an important matter in such an off-handed manner.

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The Rez News blog reports the Rankin County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance to regulate animal shelters yesterday. There is only one private animal shelter in Rankin County- the Animal Rescue Fund on Holly Bush Road. TRN post about new ordinance.

JJ reported on the proposed ordinance Monday. There have been a few minor tweaks to it. Shelters can only have 15 animals outside at any one time. The ordinance requires the animals to be kept in an enclosed facility with heating and air-conditioning (The female prisoners at MDOC in Rankin County do not get air conditioning but OK.). The county has the right to inspect the facility at any time without notice. Existing shelters are given seven months to become compliant with the new law.

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Here are the crime reports for Jackson, Madison, Byram as these are the only ones available online.

Jackson crime stats for week ending February 5, 2012.

Jackson major crimes overview for week ending February 5, 2012.

The crime reports state major crime is down 11% from the prior week. Property crime is down 8% and violent crime 21%.For the past 28 days however, violent crime is up 50% compared to last year while property crimes are down 8%. YTD property crime is unchanged from a year ago and violent crime is up 56%.

Precinct 4. House burglaries down 5% YTD from a year go. Big improvement when this crime was up by a third last year. Auto burglaries are down 29% while business burglaries have nearly doubled from five to nine. However, violent crime is up 69% compared to last year YTD with aggravated assaults and armed robberies leading the way. See page 10.

City of Madison crime reports through February 2, 2012.

City of Byram crime reports through February 11, 2012.

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Ridgeland has the highest rate of rental housing among cities in the Jackson metro area according to U.S. Census data from 2010. The census states Ridgeland's rental rate among housing units is 54.1%. Madison had the lowest rate at 6.7%. JJ reviewed 2010 census data and posted the review below. Flowood was the only other city over 50% at50.6%. Translation: The majority of housing in Ridgeland is rental housing. Jackson placed fourth at 45.6% although it lost the most population. Census website

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JJ obtained a copy of the file for the Guardianship of Damon Mclinton. Mr. Mclinton inherited $3 million when his mother, Rebecca Henry died. Hinds County Chancellor Stuart Robinson established a guardianship for Damon McClinton in 2000 and appointed his father, Thomas McClinton as the guardian. Attorney Michael J. Brown represented Thomas McClinton. The Chancellor ordered the funds to be placed in a bank account for young McClinton. Chancellor Dewayne Thomas recently threw Mr. Brown in jail after he ruled Mr. Brown never deposited the money into a bank account but instead kept the money. Judge Thomas froze the assets of Michael Brown and Linus Shackelford. He is free on $100,000 bond. Earlier post

The file reviews a few details. The Chancellor ruled he would waive "bond and accounting" if all funds were placed into a bank account. Mr. McClinton also retained attorney Glover Russell, Jr. at Watkins Ludlam for a tax opinion regarding the estate taxes. The guardianship was closed in August 11, 2006 when Damon Clinton turned 21 (Yes, I know the court papers say "Demon" but in reality his name is "Damon").

What is interesting is Mr. Glover filed a petition to compel an accounting on November 21, 2005. Mr. Glover stated his representation was terminated on November 16, 2005 but that Mr. McClinton told him $300,000 was withdrawn from the estate without a court order and the loan remained unpaid. Mr. Russell also stated he was also told $1 million belonging to the Guardianship was "never deposited" into the estate. Mr. Russell said the check for $1 million was deposited into Mr. Brown's account and "was spent by Michael Brown and never deposited into the estate". Mr. Russell asked the court to require McClinton's father to account for the $300,000, account for the $1 million, and appoint a representative for Mr. Ward.

Mr. Glover also included a promissory note for $300,000 dated February 11, 2011 signed by Linus Shackelford as an exhibit to the petition. Mr. Shackelford signed individually and as President of Lakeland Place, LLC. The note gives 20 acres owned by Mr. Shackelford as security for the loan. Exhibit B is a copy of a check signed by Mr. McClinton made out to Michael. Brown.

There is no disposition or adjudication of the petition in the file. There is one document that states it was discussed at a hearing, but there are no documents stating it was dismissed, granted, or anything (I will leave open the possibility the Chancellor is reviewing the file as he keeps it in his chambers and some documents are in his actual possession.). However, a motion to recuse filed by Mr. Brown on February 1, 2012 states Chancellor Robinson heard the petition on August 11, 2006, "heard all evidence, and signed off on accountings and closed the guardianship."

Several accountings were provided to the court but Chancellor Thomas (Case was assigned to him after Chancellor Robinson left the bench.) ruled these were completely fraudulent.

The elder McClinton filed a petition to reopen the guardianship in 2009 and claimed "money was intercepted by Attorney Mike Brown and placed into his trust account." The petition didn't stop there but accused the lawyer of "forging" Thomas McClinton's signature "in order to obtain the funds that were supposed to go to the guardianship." The petition also alleges Mr. Brown "checked out the entire guardianship file and has not returned it." Mr. Mclinton claimed "part or all of the fraudulently obtained money has been invested in a cemetary run or owned by Linus Shackelford." The petition also includes a promissory note for $507,745 at an interest rate of 6% payable within one year signed by Michael J. Brown on November 29, 2007.

Mr. McClinton then filed a petition to compel an accounting on December 2, 2010 to "determine where and why the money from the guardianship" went to Brown and Shackelford. The petition also asks for "accounting" information for two checks in the amounts of $205,020 and $32,725 "cashed and posted" on or about January 6, 2003. The petition also asks the Court to order Mr. Shackelford to show he repaid the loan.

Mr. Brown filed a motion asking Chancellor Thomas to recuse himself from the case. Mr. Brown alleged the Chancellor and Brent Hazard, the attorney for Mr. McClinton, were friends.

What is really funny is Michael J. Brown informed the court he was unable to locate the file or the bank statements. He would love to find them, you see. He would really, really, like to provide them to the court. BUT there were two major water leaks in his office and many old closed files and bank records were destroyed and lost. Mr. Brown also defends himself by arguing "There has never been any written statement offered to any court that any unauthorized transfer had occurred." Mr. Brown filed a Notice to Court of Unavailability of File and Bank Statements on February 1, 2012. Yup, just like Vann Leonard. Hard drive crashed. Water damage. Dog ate my homework.

Stay tuned. There is more to come.

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Southaven Mayor Greg "His Name is Lancelot" Davis blames shady land deals on the Southaven Board of Aldermen. See, he's just an ignorant rube and didn't approve anything. It's those Aldermen that approved sweetheart deals with his friends. Never mind searching the title, appraising the property, and putting the deal together is the Mayor's responsibility. Nope, it's the Aldermen's fault. The AP reports:

"SOUTHAVEN — Southaven Mayor Greg Davis, speaking publicly for the first time about business dealings that benefited friends and associates, said he believes he did nothing wrong because the city’s aldermen approved all transactions.

Davis spoke yesterday with The Commercial Appeal about deals involving a Florida condominium he co-owns with a developer who has received more than $3.4 million through real estate dealings with the city since 2008, a fire station that could cost taxpayers up to $4 million because of an unusual no-bid contract negotiated by Davis, and other recently reported transactions....

Davis, who is under criminal investigation for misuse of city funds after being ordered by the state auditor to repay about $170,000, said he couldn’t do anything without approval from the Board of Aldermen.

“What I think people need to realize is I don’t sign contracts without board authority,” said Davis, 45. “I don’t approve payments, so I don’t see how there could be any correlation between me returning favors for anyone because I am not the decision-maker. My job is to implement the policies approved by the board.”

One alderman responded to Davis’ comments by saying again that the mayor kept them in the dark about much of what he was doing.

“He would bring us the deals that we trusted him to present honestly and ethically but would give us half the story,” Alderman Ronnie Hale said. “He is speaking out to the media now because he is in this blame game, trying to take the heat off himself so he will look better. But we are not playing games with him. We are here to do what is in the best interest of the citizens.”....

Regarding a 20-acre site where Roberts’ firm, RH Holdings, pocketed $45,000 for a single day’s work, Davis said he didn’t know how much his friend made from the transaction.

“I was not there when he closed on the deal,” Davis said. “I can’t emphasize enough that a mayor in a co-chartered city, by law, doesn’t enter into land deals or authorize payments on these deals.”.." Article

Dear Lancelot, when the city spends over $300,000 on a tract of land, it is supposed to do what is called a title search. That is where the attorney reviews the ownership of the land and then notifies the buyer and/or lender of any defects in title. In this case, the lawyer for the city should have told the city the land belonged to someone else other than the claimed seller so the blame falls right back on the Mayor, who will probably blame some poor secretary making $25,000 for the whole mess. BUT we are not finished with Lancelot. The Commercial Appeal reported today the Chamber of Commerce paid his expenses, no questions asked, no receipts needed. I kid you not:

"The reports released Tuesday by the chamber to The Commercial Appeal include a statement by auditors saying they "were unable to examine sufficient documentation'' involving $75,800 in expenses incurred in 2008 and 2009.

Overall, Davis is believed to have received as much as $123,807 from the chamber between 2008 and 2010 for expenses incurred while promoting the city to prospective businesses.

A source familiar with the reports said the chamber couldn't fulfill auditors' demands for documentation because the organization didn't require Davis to submit receipts and simply accepted periodic handwritten invoices from the mayor..." Article

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The Shoreline Committee of the PRVWSD met yesterday to discussed a proposed fee increase for events held at Reservoir parks. The fee is currently $500 per event. The proposal recommends increasing the fee for events attended by over 1,500 people to the greater of $1,500 or 10% of the gross revenue from the event. The district will consider moneys paid by sponsors, vendors, participants, and attendees to be part of the gross revenue.

I spent most of the morning talking to various groups affected by the new fees- the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Madison Chamber of Commerce, Brown Bottling, and John Sigman, the Executive Director of the District. Here is what I learned.

There are two large events held at the Reservoir and they are both in May: the Regatta and Pepsi Pops. Approximately 3,000 people attend Pepsi Pops and 5,000 attend the Regatta. The new fee of 10% is taken from all revenue before expenses are paid. The trash is picked up by MSO and Chamber personnel and not district employees even though Mr. Sigman told the Clarion-Ledger:

"However, John Sigman, executive director of PRVWSD, said his agency doesn't receive state tax dollars, leaving him little other option than to assess a fee to recoup funds spent on preparing and cleaning the public parks where these events are held."

If there was one fact everyone I spoke to agreed on it was the event sponsors clean up the park immediately after the event is over. No district personnel are used. The policy states the financial responsibility for security belongs to the event sponsor. They said Ridgeland Police Department provides security and traffic detail for the two events.

The event sponsors also told JJ they were not notified about the new fees until late January when they called to make appointments to discuss logistics for the upcoming events in May. They claim no notice was given to them prior to the vote for the new fees by the Park Committee in January. They also claim the district did not notify them of the new changes until they called.. Budgets were set early last summer and tickets were already sold. For example, the MRSO includes Pepsi Pops in its season ticket package. Season tickets are paid by the end of August. The Symphony thus had no opportunity to plan for the 10% fee or include the increase in its season ticket prices. The Chamber itself was going to finally break even this year after 50 teams entered the event. This increase will put them back in the red.

The main complaint everyone has about the fee increase is there was no notice, a vote was taken, and they were told about it a little more than 90 days prior to the event. The agendas and minutes are not published on the district's website. Everyone said the same thing: this increase would cause the sponsors to lose money on these events.

Mr. Sigman told JJ the district supported these events and enjoys hosting them. However, he said the total expense to the district is two to three thousand dollars per event (He said he was guesstimating off of the top of his head.). The district does not issue new contracts until January and none had been signed. Mr. Sigman said the district called each party and told them about the proposed policy. Mr. Sigman was adamant in stating the district only receives fees from leaseholds and it can't afford to lose money on these events. The board has not approved the proposal and will consider it at its regular meeting on Thursday.

Disclosure: The MSO advertises Pepsi Pops on this site. Link to original post

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