Any Jackson residents....

[kris10ep]

I'd love to hear your take on the May primary between Johnson and Melton.

[Rowdyboy]

1. I'm in Canton, so I don't get to vote, but I'm keenly interested....

Since Ben Allen in District 1 has no opposition, I expect a lot of white voters to crossover and vote in the Democratic party. That should help Melton because of his strong law and order image. I think the primary will be very close, but I really think Melton will pull it off. He's flamboyant, but in a positive way, and I think he's be good for Jackson. He certainly couldn't be any more of a disaster than Johnson has been.

If you didn't catch Eric Stringfellow's column in yesterday's Clarion Ledger. It was quite interesting.

We have two really interesting races here in Canton. Mayor Esco is being challenged by a gadfly city councilman, Dr William Truly. Also, in the at-large Alderman race, we have former Mayor Alice Scott running against radio personality Jerry Loustou (spelling?). Loustou running as a white man in an 80% black town would seem to have little chance, but he's very popular in the black community, and Ms Scott has quite a few political enemies after her two terms as mayor.

[kris10ep]

2. I definitely agree with you on the Melton thing

I've been an admirer of his since I was younger, and I really think he could do some good things here in Jackson.

I do, however, disagree that Harvey Johnson has been a disaster. He's done some good things to get this city up and moving. I just think he did it backwards. We can't make Jackson flourish or live up to the potential it has without first addressing the crime issue here. That's why I'm inclined to support Melton.

[Rowdyboy]

3. Perhaps it is an unfair exaggeration to say Johnson is a disaster...

He is uninspiring and seems to be more interested in micromanaging the police department than in running the city, at least from appearances. He lacks strength and is utterly unable or unwilling to stand up to Kenneth Stokes.

Melton's committment to young people, especially at-risk young people, is really inspiring. Add that to his determination to go after drug dealers and you have on tough Democrat.

[Phil214]

4. It's Pretty Interesting, though....

... that a lot of urban redevelopment in other cities happened IN SPITE of the crime. In fact, the crime dropped because people were willing to moving back into such places despite high crime. Eventually, all this development swept away the crime.

This is talked about all the time on Jackson Free Press message forums. Something like this is starting to happen along Mill St just west of Millsaps College. Fondren's been at it for years.

[millsaps28]

5. Leaning toward Melton

I have been thinking about this for a while. Everytime I go drive over a deep pothole I yearn for a change in Jackson leadership. I drive on fortification daily so you know that I Melton is looking prety good to me right now.