Lumumba, Bland, Flaggs, Bolden: Mississippi Cities Revel in the Inauguration of New Mayors
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www.mississippilink.com Vol. 19, No. 37 July 4 - 10, 2013 50¢ Lumumba, Bland, Flaggs, Bolden: Mississippi cities revel in the inauguration of new mayors Meridian Mayor Percy Bland Jr. Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Canton Mayor Arnel Bolden By Ayesha K. Mustafaa ba) go futher, leading the children The Mississippi Mass Choir Editor and youth. Continue to open his sang “America” and DeAnna Jackson celebrated over a four- mind to diversity and develop- Tisdale, daughter of The Jack- day period leading up to the in- ment. Where there is division, let son Advocate publisher Alice and auguration of its newly elected him bring unity. For the destitute, the late Charles Tisdale, sang the Mayor Chokwe Lumumba be- for the disenfranchised, show Lu- National “Black” Anthem and ginning with a somber morning mumba the path of economical closed out the program leading prayer service, Monday, July growth. Let the criminal fear the the audience in Sam Cook’s “A Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba PHOTO BY KEVIN ROBINSON 1, 2013, at Lumumba’s home righteousness that he brings to Change is Going to Come” in op- church, Word and Worship, 6286 this office of mayor.” eratic style. ent, his older brother leading the Hanging Moss Road. Prayers At noon the Jackson Conven- During the evening “People’s “toast to leadership,” along with were offered for the Mayor and tion Complex was the site for the Celebration” also held at the Jack- his son Chokwe Antar and daugh- for the city of Jackson. two inaugural ceremonies, one son Convention Complex, Mayor ter Rukia. Then began the eve- The prayer focused on leader- for the swearing in of the mayor Lumumba was led into the ban- ning of good food, great music, ship was led by Pastor P.J. Wil- and city council members. Con- quet hall with the “Celebration of song and dance. liams; the youth led by Pastor gressman Bennie G. Thompson the Drums” by Jerry Jenkins and Rukia’s toasted her father as Charles Richardson; develop- officiated. Hasan drummers and Chiquila mayor of Jackson by saying ment led by Sababu Rashid; unity The Jackson Police Department Pearson’s African dancers. “Here’s to the man who, when in Jackson led by Dr. Abram and Fire Department marched in a Mistress and Master of Cer- my mother (a flight attendant) Muhammad; economics led by combined Color Guard, followed emonies Evelyn Reed and City was flying all over the country, Pastor Jason Cannon; crime led with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council president Tony Yarber would try to brush my hair; to the by Pastor Samuel Boyd; and the Harvey Johnson Jr., as the opened the evening. Juanita Sims man who would try, in a terrible future of Jackson led by Pastor out going mayor, introduced the Doty, Inaugural chairperson, voice, to sing Stevie Wonder to Dwight Prowell. special guests, with Dr. Myrlie expressed appreciation for the me before bedtime. Congratula- The call to worship and wel- Evers-Williams framing the event corporate sponsors who made it tions. I love you Dad.” come was given by the church’s with words of reconciliation and possible for all the events to take Bishop Jeffery A. Stallworth.The unity. She made particular note place with no cost to the city. Litany written by Stallworth con- that former Gov. William F. Win- Lumumba’s family of seven New mayors Continued on page 3 cluded with: “Help him (Lumum- ter was in attendance. brothers and sisters were pres- Thompson PHOTO BY KEVIN ROBINSON Garrett Enterprises Consolidated Inc. and Socrates Garrett Enterprises Photo of the Week paying it forward with interns Congratulations, Tisdale family! By Ayesha K. Mustafaa Editor Along with the everyday clamor expected at a fast-paced construction management of- fice that offers environmental waste management systems, engineering designs and the op- eration of a fleet of tankers and dump trucks everyday, Garrett Enterprises Consolidated Inc. (GECI) and Socrates Garrett Enterprises (SGE) brought on three interns to “pay it forward” Monday and Tuesday, July 1 and 2, 2013, were celebratory days for Alice Tisdale and her family. During the as a way of giving back to the noontime Monday inaugural swearing-in ceremony for Jackson Mayor Lumumba and city council members, community. the daughter of Alice and the late Charles Tisdale, was the featured operatic songstress. DeAnna Tisdale first This summer’s interns are sang the James Weldon Johnson “Black” National Anthem and then closed as lead singer of Sam Cook’s Makeba Jamaal Crowley, an “A Change is Going to Come.” During the City Council meeting held Tuesday morning, Alice Tisdale was honored as publisher of the Jackson Advocate with a resolution initiated by Councilwoman LaRita Cooper- 18-year-old graduate from Jim GECI and SGE summer interns Austin Tatum, Jamaal Crowley, Aaron Tatum Hill High School, and twins Stokes. Attending the inauguration (L-R) Cooper-Stokes with her grandson and children Dr. Keith I. Stokes PHOTO BY AYESHA K. MUSTAFAA and Kenita Stokes, DeAnna Tisdale and her mother Alice Thomas-Tisdale PHOTO BY KEVIN ROBINSON Austin and Aaron Tatum, 17, seniors at Madison Central Crowley graduated from the Paying it forward XXXX Continued on page 2 High School. Jim Hill International Baccalau- Continued on page 6 Hinds County Hit ABC show Prayer and Inaugural Share this issue with a friend Board of “Shark Tank” to ceremonies for Mayor by mailing it to: Supervisors name hold casting calls Chokwe Lumumba - Inside two interim for minority owned Photo Tribute supervisors businesses Page 2 Page 5 Page 17 2 • the mississippi link July 4 - 10, 2013 www.mississippilink.com The emerging new face of Jackson with mayoral appointments, city council shifts By Ayesha K. Mustafaa for Mental Health Advocacy morale of our officers and as a deputy chief of the Editor Research and Training, also staff. I am confident that he Administrative Support During his inaugural ad- a part of the JSU programs. will diligently meet the tasks Division of the Police dress, Mayor Chokwe Lu- She also served as Lumumba’s as Jackson’s top law enforce- Department. Rebecca mumba confirmed the news campaign coordinator. ment officer.” Coleman resigned as that had been circulating that “The people of our great Regarding Chief Owens’ chief of police officially Deputy Chief Lindsey Horton, Capitol City deserve a seam- selection as the chief of the as of June 30, 2013. 61, was his choice for chief of less transition and a con- Fire Department, Lumumba Owens has served the police and Willie Owens, 64, tinuation of all governmental said, “Chief Owens’ loyalty Jackson Fire Department current president of the fire- operations,” said Mayor Lu- to and longevity with the Fire for almost 31 years be- fighters’ union, was his choice mumba. “Public safety ranks Department demonstrates that fore he retired in 2005 for chief of the Fire Depart- high amongst public concern, he is a consummate public ser- as a division chief. Cur- Tillman Horton Omari ment. and these appointments reflect vant. He will be a strong and rent Fire Chief Raymond As his chief of staff, Lu- my position to quickly restore steadfast leader for the coura- McNulty will serve as as- City Council which will make role. mumba selected Dr. Safiya a sense of safety to the city.” geous first responders of the sistant chief and stay on until the final confirmations. Newly elected Ward 2 coun- R. Omari, a previous associ- The Mayor added, “Chief Jackson Fire Department.” January 1, 2014, which is his Also at the city council cilman Melvin Priester was ate professor of social work Horton has the skills and the Horton has over 30 years ex- official retirement date. meeting, Councilman Charles unanimously elected to serve and health sciences at Jackson respect of his Department. perience with the Jackson Po- Tuesday, July 2, Horton’s Tillman, 80, of Ward 5, was as council vice president. State University and direc- These qualities make him an lice Department. At the time and Owens’ appointments elected as council president, Council officers are elected tor of the Southern Institute ideal candidate to uplift the of his appointment, he served were officially presented to the replacing Tony Yarber in this each year in July. Hinds County Board names interim supervisors Districts 2 and 4 seats filled until special election The Mississippi Link Newswire ment, residential, commercial, extremely happy to welcome In its regular meeting Monday, and industrial construction sec- aboard two individuals who are July 1, 2013, the Hinds County tors for guidance on the repairs, very eager to move Hinds Coun- Board of Supervisors named two renovations, and construction ty forward. Their knowledge and appointees to fill the current va- occurring at the Hinds County experience in various areas of cancies on the board until the Detention Center in Raymond. business and government will be special election Nov. 5, 2013. Walker, a long-time Hinds a definite asset to the county.” District 2 and 4 seats will be County resident and retiree, who Both appointees submitted represented in the interim by Al- has training in municipal and their resumes, as requested, for phonso Hunter of Edwards and county government, has an im- consideration of the interim po- Robert Walker of Byram, respec- pressive record of appointments, sitions and met all necessary tively. community service, honors and requirements. They have also Hunter is the owner of first recognitions. According to the agreed to not put in a bid as a Construction Company, Inc. county supervisors, his contri- candidate for the upcoming spe- Board members are hoping to tap butions toward job creation and cial election. into Hunter’s more than 30 years economic development in Hinds Hunter and Walker will serve in of expertise in the areas of opera- County will be invaluable.