Rod Paige: Jackson State’S Financial 7 Could Possibly Get a New Leader Future Viable; Problems Fixable
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www.mississippilink.com VOL. 23, NO. 12 JANUARY 12 - 18, 2017 50¢ Honoring the legacy of MLKDr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jackson’s Ward Rod Paige: Jackson State’s financial 7 could possibly get a new leader future viable; problems fixable By Othor Cain Paige failed to equate or Contributing Writer give an exact dollar amount Things are far different as it relates to the financial on the campus of Jackson deficiencies of the univer- State University (JSU) to- sity. “I don’t want to give an day, than they were in 1955, exact number and then two- when 83 year old Rod Paige weeks later that number has graduated. “I’m just amazed changed or as we are going everyday that I walk this through this process we find campus or look out my of- that the number continues fice window; I think to my- to roll,” he said. “Right self…look at the growth, now, we know its a serious look at the changes, look at situation and we know that the greatness,” said Paige, we’ve got to fix it.” who was named interim Charged with the respon- president of the university sibility by the Institutions in November 2016, after the of Higher Learning (IHL) to highly publicized resigna- improve the financial condi- tion of Carolyn Meyers. tions of the university and Meyers, only the 10th to strengthen its academic Lindsay president in the history of performance, Paige’s out- the university, which was look for JSU is bright. “We By Othor Cain founded in 1877 and its first are looking at everything to Contributing Writer full-time female leader, re- ensure that we are running a signed in the fall of 2016, tight ship, he said. “All ex- It is that time of year again – time for amid rumors of financial ternal vendor contracts are another round of elections – this time mu- unsettlement on the campus. being reviewed, right now nicipal elections. Jan 2 marked the opening In a recent discovery, it its safe to say that we’ve date for those interested in running for of- was revealed that JSU’s pretty much instituted a hir- fice in Jackson to sign up. The qualifying cash reserves had plum- ing freeze, we must exam deadline is March 3. meted nearly 90 percent in everything.” Longtime Ward 7 resident Virgi Lindsay the last five years, going Examining everything is the first person to publicly announce her from an estimated $37 mil- includes looking at JSU’s intent to seek the office of councilperson lion to $4.2 million for the Madison and downtown for Ward 7. 2016 fiscal year that ended campuses. When asked if Lindsay, a staple in the Belhaven com- in the fall. discussions about closing munity and former executive director of Paige, who was appoint- the Madison campus were the Greater Belhaven Foundation, hosted Paige ed by President George W. underway, in spite of recent an announcement party at her home last Bush to serve as the seventh but fixable. “I want to paint understand the magnitude out of this…and we will, record enrollment and the week. “I am running for this seat because U.S. Secretary of Education, a very clear picture, the hole of the problems until I got we will be a stronger more campus doing well, Paige says JSU’s financial trou- we find ourselves in today is here, but these problems are vibrant university than ever Lindsay bles are deep and perplexed deep, in fact, I really didn’t fixable and when we come before,” Paige said. Paige Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 Yes we did: Obama rallies all 2017 Aviation Industry Day set for next week Americans in farewell speech By Othor Cain Contributing Writer By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor Anyone who works in avia- Those were the words that Barack tion now or wants to expand their Hussein Obama ended his farewell business and get involved in the speech to America Tuesday, eight years world’s fastest growing economic after he won the presidency, campaign- sector, then the 2017 Aviation In- ing on the slogan, “Yes, we can!” dustry Day is a must attend event. For nearly an hour, the nation’s 44th The event takes place Jan. 17 at the Commander-In-Chief reminded every- Clyde Muse Center on the Rankin one that history will not only show him Campus of Hinds Community Col- to be the first – and perhaps only – black lege, 515 Country Place Parkway, president, but time will reveal just how Pearl, Miss. well a job Obama did after inheriting a Industry leaders say Mississip- nation at war, reeling in debt and cower- pi’s airports are a critical part of the ing in fear every time Homeland Secu- nation’s multi-billion dollar avia- tion industry and they want to help rity raised the threat level. Russell Passing the Commander-In-Chief ba- grow your business. If you’re an ar- chitect, engineer, construction pro- ton to Donald Trump has revealed that with other companies, how to gain President Barack Obama delivered his farewell address as the leader of the free world on fessional, attorney, real-estate pro- a large swath of Americans already miss business assistance, how to sustain Tuesday, January 10 in Chicago, Ill. This photo was taken during the 2011 State of the Union fessional, insurance professional, Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and your business for today and beyond Address. PETE SOUZA/WH/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS service provider, supplier, vendor, the First Family. as well as other viable information “It’s easy to lose sight of that in the story told not minute to minute, but shipper or broker, at the conference blizzard of our minute-to-minute Wash- generation to generation,” Obama told you will learn how joint ventures Obama work, the importance of partnering Aviation ington news cycles. But America is a the more nearly 18,000 spectators who Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 Twelve JPS Middle SFC makes record MLK Share this issue with a friend School students qualify breaking gift to Friends Events by mailing it to: as Duke TIP Scholars of Children’s Hospital Inside Page 6 Page 10 Page 19 LOCAL 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK JANUARY 12 - 18, 2017 www.mississippilink.com From the desk of Hinds County School LeRoy G. Walker Jr. District Weekly Update Terry senior selected Byram Middle The Mississippi Link Newswire and the United for Wendy’s Heisman Award “Night of the Arts!” Dear Fellow Jacksonians, States. How- This year, we will elect the next mayor of ever, Jackson’s Congratulations to Terry senior, Walker Shirley, for being We are so proud of our students and their the City of Jackson. However, this election future does selected as one of Mississippi’s Wendy’s Heisman performances at the “Night of the Arts”! Thank is no ordinary election. Mississippi’s Capitol not –and can- awardees. This award is given to high school seniors you to all of those who came out and helped make City is at a critical point in its history. Our not – rest on the who are dedicated to learning, leading and performing. it such a wonderful success. We believe the Arts city is rapidly declining. Our infrastructure shoulders of the Recipients must have at least a 3.0 and is a proven leader are an integral part in a student’s education and is crumbling. Our citizens don’t feel safe in mayor. Rather, and role model in their school and community. in the making of a well rounded individual. Thank their homes and communities. Our educa- Jackson’s fu- you parents for supporting this belief. tional system is in crisis. Meaningful and sig- ture will depend nificant economic development has almost on substantive halted completely in areas that need it most, relationships, making it difficult for hardworking Jackso- partnerships nians to find jobs that will enable them to and collabora- provide a better quality of life for themselves Walker tion between the and their families. mayor, the city council, state and county While many major cities across the coun- leaders as well as the business community, Pictured L-R: Gary Tabor, assistant principal; Senior try are experiencing similar issues, Jackson’s the philanthropic community, the faith-based Walker Shirley; Principal Roy Balentine. problems have been compounded by what community and other city stakeholders. Go- Dance many feel is ineffective city leadership that is ing forward, I hope to assume an expanded unwilling and unable to work with key stake- leadership role in the business and philan- Gary Road Intermediate School holders to address the city’s most pressing thropic communities’ efforts to help Jackson issues. Given Jackson’s current condition, surmount its obstacles and to meet the eco- Wide Reading Fair winners many have speculated on whether I will an- nomic, educational and social needs of the nounce my candidacy for Mayor of the City larger Jackson community. of Jackson in the upcoming election. In addition, I hope to help identify, train Over the past several months, I have been and develop a new cadre of young, bright, in deep prayer and intense consultation with principled and selfless leaders to sustain and my family, closest friends and advisers. Dur- continue the progress we will undoubtedly ing this time, as we studied Jackson’s issues make in the coming years. Choir and began to develop solutions and a path In closing, as we elect our next mayor and forward, one central and recurring question other city leaders, I urge Jacksonians to cut emerged: Would LeRoy Walker Jr.