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As I awake this morning, the news of our new mayor is the first thing to greet me as I log into a catalog of social networking sites and news feeds. It seems as though the whole country felt for once, Mississippi was news worthy for something other than obesity or murder. This race that has split the city into 2 racial divides, has seemingly still left a lot unanswered and just as much more to look forward to. Now before I begin, please note, I am not about black or white. I am for unity and the right person for the job.
The things I saw, as well as others, throughout this political onslaught were quite awkward. It can be summed up by this phrase; Put black vs black and the race becomes about which of the two are MORE BLACK! A strange way to view things but this is not what I heard. This is what I saw. People who are willing to question another candidate's ethnic background as to why they would not vote for him. This race ended with friends of mine losing jobs, people ending friendships, and some people going radical racial in some cases. But only one man could win. And the people of Jackson, Ms spoke yesterday as they selected the civil rights activist Mr. Chokwe Lumumba. Almost immediately, social feeds began to populate with statements that felt strange as I read various timelines. "Jackson will RISE" Words from our new mayor came quickly from his Facebook feed as he thanked the people of the city for voting for him. But on the other side of that same node, racial tensions began to rise. Some say there were comments made on pages about Jackson being the new Detroit, and how the city would never get past a certain point or for the most part succeed because of who we voted for. Then you have others that countered those statements with their own. "If you don't like who is mayor, don't come to Jackson", was one post that I read. Another stated, "IF you do not like Jackson, don't clog up I-55 and Lakeland and other various transportation lines trying to get here for work." It was just that serious for some. Others, who know that the city is mostly fighting itself, just breathe a breath of despair. Happy that this election is finally over and people can go back to being normal.......so they hope,
As we usher off another African American mayor and usher in a new one, I can only hope that the city can see more improvement in the next 4 years than it has seen in the last 8. Now I will not sit here and tell you we are going to become a better city because of whom we elected, but I will tell you that we have a laundry list of things to conquer if we are to even come close as a city to succeeding just like our neighboring counterparts. The following laundry list is one that we have come up with that we know if these things are tackled, the next 4 years will be a beacon for the city and how it CAN unite and GROW to the capital it once was known so great to be.
1. Road/Highway Infrastructure
As high as the taxes are here in Jackson, something should be done about this ASAP! Bridges are being closed and not re opened, streets are impossible to drive on at times and car maintenance is not getting any lower. Let me be the first one to say this. A TOLL ROAD IS NOT THE ANSWER TO ANY OF THE PROBLEMS IN JACKSON! They are privately owned majority of the time and lets face it. There are 0 investors coming to save the day for Jackson. If you do NOT believe that, just look at the neighboring cities and look how they are thriving and expanding their highways to allow better traffic flow. I urge people to demand a better resolve to pot hole repair and true research into technology that will fix this longterm and not just from rainy day to the next rainy drenched day.
2. Crime (Prevention and Attention)
No disrespect to our law enforcement. BUT, WE KNOW YOU CANNOT DROP ANYONE IF THEY MAKE IT TO A RECRUIT CLASS FOR JPD. With that being said, this is one of the issues that is hurting this city. At times the police force is a joke and the butt of all puns. Meanwhile, South Jackson/ Compton is a fucking war zone. I can daily see police sitting in air conditioned vehicles, doing nothing and burning plenty of gas on our $$$. There are no foot patrols through these any neighborhoods and crime is not going to recess because it is summer time. We appreciate the road blocks but we would like more for a better working police force. Response time is slow, and the daily operations at the emergency facility are outdated but the technology is not. There is a major disconnect here, and the people who pay the salaries for uniformed officers to just come out, NEVER dust for prints and hand them a case card, are beyond pissed and want this issue fixed more than others.
3. Education
We house the 2nd largest school district in the state. Why is it that we still cannot seem to give our kids the quality education that they need. The parent/administrator relationship needs to be overhauled. Along with the fact that people need to stop trying to sue anybody for anything said or done to their child. The school system is not a get rich quick program, but because of poor leadership, some feel they should be paid more than others and administration on all levels is grossly overpaid. Common sense says this. A teacher will never make as much as a person who works at Central Office or someone who holds a title before their name. Regardless of how ridiculous that title may be. The problem is not technology, the problem is not even monetary, the problem truly lies in the hands of the kids and the parents. The school board should be comprised of people who are actually concerned with the schools and people who have kids in the school district, not these #Hands that get a check just to show up and approve everything someone sends down the line. Everything except pay raises that is. At this current moment. the Information Technology department of JPS is at a standstill with employees. No raises and half of the administration has either quit or put in 2 weeks notice. Can someone put this on the news so it can be talked about openly.
4. Arts/Entertainment
This was once, a thriving city, with festivals of all types and events for every calendar month. Now all you may happen to get is some poorly promoted event thrown by the city of Jackson with lackluster results or an awesome fireworks show that get put on by major corporations that they allow the city to place their name on. This is an issue for me. Where is Farish St.? When will it be done? Why has no one been brought to justice for the amount of money that has been spent on this one streets so called entertainment district. Baptist hospital has built an entire new wing onto their hospital in a shorter amount of time this one stretch of street has had on building to be occupied yet. PISS POOR on the cities behalf. Because instead of taking control of the situation, they are seemingly confused as to what to do. Private funds build great things. Jackson has minimal amounts of investors that are willing to put their buck on the line to help the city thrive. They would rather just work around it. If you think this is an asinine statement, just take a look at pearl and Madison BOTH growing in leaps and bounds. If the so called leader of this city does not attack this issue instead of Christopher Columbus in history books first, he will see minimal results in his 4 years as tenure as mayor of this city. Bring back the red beans and rice festival, Jubilee Jam, or CREATE SOMETHING NEW FOR THAT MATTER! Where is the creativity in our city. I can tell you where it is. Housed in various locations in and outside of the city waiting for an honest ear to listen and take a true business proposition seriously. The city cannot win hand over fist in everything that they do. You have to be willing to share the wealth and take ideas from the outside and let others do it. Why? Because we have no one in any streams of administration that I can see truly know what to do to bring the arts/entertainment district of Jackson back to full bloom.
5. Compete
Give the city some form. Everything is so outdated. Not once did ANYONE running for mayor mention anything about encompassing technology into the city's infrastructure more and everyday operations. WHY? This city is full of great ideas. The city needs form overhaul. From signage to code enforcement to proper policing of properties held hostage by investors and re sellers NOTHING in our city looks uniform, which is where we should start. Enforce the laws, and create a new standard. You set the bar and enforce the standard its as simple as that. This is what and administration does and how a city runs. Time is not on our side on this manner, as you read this, South Jackson is limping and North Jackson has a broken arm. If nothing is done to either of these wounded entities, our city will become the new Detroit as some have said due to the fact that it will simply look like a ghost town/swap meet. Other than strip malls, the only other large retail outlet is in North Jackson, and it looks to be on a 5 year plan to fail if we do not fix it. I won't go into what the problem is out there, but I will say this. The same thing that killed Metrocenter, WILL kill Northpark. As cities around us thrive, we are becoming less popular and more laughable. And you can read where people will say, if you don't like it, don't come here. Well, that is happening. The only reason Jackson retains as many businesses as they do is because there is not a lot of office space in other areas. But rumor has it that Madison is working on a downtown area for their city.
And what do you think will happen once that is thrown up. Say goodbye! You see, a lot of places are here because there is just simply no other place to go, but that is beginning to be a thing of the past. Just look at Sams Leaving Jackson and moving to Madison.
In closing, our mayor is only a man. Put no more trust in him than you would any other man. Do take a personal responsibility to put out great vibes and support but do NOT be afraid or shouted down because you question something you do not believe in. Do NOT lose friends behind debate, and finally KNOW that in order to GROW, you have to change things and change people. Some may not want to follow but they will fall in line. If not, they will be left behind. Let's strengthen ourselves and strengthen our city back to stardom.
All feedback is welcome.
Get Informed
3. Education
We house the 2nd largest school district in the state. Why is it that we still cannot seem to give our kids the quality education that they need. The parent/administrator relationship needs to be overhauled. Along with the fact that people need to stop trying to sue anybody for anything said or done to their child. The school system is not a get rich quick program, but because of poor leadership, some feel they should be paid more than others and administration on all levels is grossly overpaid. Common sense says this. A teacher will never make as much as a person who works at Central Office or someone who holds a title before their name. Regardless of how ridiculous that title may be. The problem is not technology, the problem is not even monetary, the problem truly lies in the hands of the kids and the parents. The school board should be comprised of people who are actually concerned with the schools and people who have kids in the school district, not these #Hands that get a check just to show up and approve everything someone sends down the line. Everything except pay raises that is. At this current moment. the Information Technology department of JPS is at a standstill with employees. No raises and half of the administration has either quit or put in 2 weeks notice. Can someone put this on the news so it can be talked about openly.
4. Arts/Entertainment
This was once, a thriving city, with festivals of all types and events for every calendar month. Now all you may happen to get is some poorly promoted event thrown by the city of Jackson with lackluster results or an awesome fireworks show that get put on by major corporations that they allow the city to place their name on. This is an issue for me. Where is Farish St.? When will it be done? Why has no one been brought to justice for the amount of money that has been spent on this one streets so called entertainment district. Baptist hospital has built an entire new wing onto their hospital in a shorter amount of time this one stretch of street has had on building to be occupied yet. PISS POOR on the cities behalf. Because instead of taking control of the situation, they are seemingly confused as to what to do. Private funds build great things. Jackson has minimal amounts of investors that are willing to put their buck on the line to help the city thrive. They would rather just work around it. If you think this is an asinine statement, just take a look at pearl and Madison BOTH growing in leaps and bounds. If the so called leader of this city does not attack this issue instead of Christopher Columbus in history books first, he will see minimal results in his 4 years as tenure as mayor of this city. Bring back the red beans and rice festival, Jubilee Jam, or CREATE SOMETHING NEW FOR THAT MATTER! Where is the creativity in our city. I can tell you where it is. Housed in various locations in and outside of the city waiting for an honest ear to listen and take a true business proposition seriously. The city cannot win hand over fist in everything that they do. You have to be willing to share the wealth and take ideas from the outside and let others do it. Why? Because we have no one in any streams of administration that I can see truly know what to do to bring the arts/entertainment district of Jackson back to full bloom.
5. Compete
Give the city some form. Everything is so outdated. Not once did ANYONE running for mayor mention anything about encompassing technology into the city's infrastructure more and everyday operations. WHY? This city is full of great ideas. The city needs form overhaul. From signage to code enforcement to proper policing of properties held hostage by investors and re sellers NOTHING in our city looks uniform, which is where we should start. Enforce the laws, and create a new standard. You set the bar and enforce the standard its as simple as that. This is what and administration does and how a city runs. Time is not on our side on this manner, as you read this, South Jackson is limping and North Jackson has a broken arm. If nothing is done to either of these wounded entities, our city will become the new Detroit as some have said due to the fact that it will simply look like a ghost town/swap meet. Other than strip malls, the only other large retail outlet is in North Jackson, and it looks to be on a 5 year plan to fail if we do not fix it. I won't go into what the problem is out there, but I will say this. The same thing that killed Metrocenter, WILL kill Northpark. As cities around us thrive, we are becoming less popular and more laughable. And you can read where people will say, if you don't like it, don't come here. Well, that is happening. The only reason Jackson retains as many businesses as they do is because there is not a lot of office space in other areas. But rumor has it that Madison is working on a downtown area for their city.
And what do you think will happen once that is thrown up. Say goodbye! You see, a lot of places are here because there is just simply no other place to go, but that is beginning to be a thing of the past. Just look at Sams Leaving Jackson and moving to Madison.
In closing, our mayor is only a man. Put no more trust in him than you would any other man. Do take a personal responsibility to put out great vibes and support but do NOT be afraid or shouted down because you question something you do not believe in. Do NOT lose friends behind debate, and finally KNOW that in order to GROW, you have to change things and change people. Some may not want to follow but they will fall in line. If not, they will be left behind. Let's strengthen ourselves and strengthen our city back to stardom.
All feedback is welcome.
Get Informed
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