Presidential Hills Neighbors Come out for a Day Of
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
www.mississippilink.com VOL. 22, NO. 46 SEPTEMBER 8 - 14, 2016 50¢ Alzheimer’s DA Smith calls Hood’s Mississippi plans actions ‘outrageous’ Saturday walk Mississippi Link Newswire Alzheimer’s Mississippi Walk4ALZ will take place at 10 a.m. Sept. 10, at the Mississippi Museum of Art. Walk4ALZ is a celebration of life and memories where attendees walk for family, friends, future and fun. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Nearly 100 people from the metro area are expected at this year’s event to raise awareness and funds to stop Alzheimer’s disease and support family caregiv- ers. Walk4ALZ participants will walk and will learn about Alzheimer’s disease, advocacy and support programs and services in Mississippi. They will also join in a meaningful tribute for those affected by Al- zheimer’s disease. “The support we receive from you stays in Missis- sippi – for programs, services and research advocacy,” said Patty Dunn, executive director of Alzheimer’s Smith Hood Mississippi. “We have been committed to creating a world without Alzheimer’s disease for more than 25 Alzheimer’s By Shanderia K. Posey geous, and he should not hold of- and Stanley Alexander. This started vise, counsel or defend” a person Continued on page 3 Editor fice. The conduct is something some time ago, and it’s just pure ha- charged with a crime. If convicted Hinds County District Attorney every citizen should be concerned tred. The evidence is filled with the of that charge, Smith faces removal Robert Shuler Smith is calling the about.” cooperation of like-minded individ- from office and a fine of up to $500. actions of Mississippi Attorney Hinds County Assistant District uals that know that these charges In a press release statement, General Jim Hood “outrageous” Attorney Jamie K. McBride was are retaliatory.” Alexander is the Hood said, “As a former district Water bill payment following Smith’s arrest and indict- also indicted and arrested Sept. 7, director of the Public Integrity Di- attorney, I have the utmost respect ment on Sept. 7. according to Smith. McBride faces vision of the AG’s office. for the work our district attorneys After learning about Hood’s plan charges of conspiring to commit On Sept. 6, Hood filed papers to do every day to make Mississippi a plan offered for to have him arrested on Sept. 7, the crime of hindering prosecution, dismiss six misdemeanor charges safer place to live. They are my col- Smith went to the Hinds County conviction and punishment of a against Smith in which he was ac- leagues in the fight against crime,” eligible customers Circuit Court to be served and turn criminal defendant. cused of violating state law by Hood said. “So it brings me no himself in. The defendant is Christopher advising, counseling, consulting pleasure to prosecute one of our Mississippi Link Newswire The arrest came one day after six Butler. or defending criminals. All along, own. But a Hinds County grand On Sept. 6, the city of Jackson announced a tem- misdemeanor charges brought by Smith described McBride’s ca- Smith’s stance was that he was jury has indicted Mr. Smith for seri- porary payment plan program for customers of the the AG’s office against him were reer reputation as “stellar” and said never formally indicted and his ous violations of the law that ham- city’s water system. The program’s aim is to assist dropped. Smith has now been in- his colleague’s arrest was retalia- case should have been brought to a per the ability of our criminal jus- customers whose bills have accumulated over the dicted by a Hinds County grand tion for McBride giving an affidavit grand jury. tice system to do its job. My hope is months due to nonpayment. jury on two felony charges accus- in Smith’s favor. Smith, 45, of Jackson, is charged that this case is resolved fairly and When the city of Jackson initiated a comprehen- ing him of conspiring with an assis- “The numerous investigations with two counts of conspiring to expeditiously for the sake of the sive water billing system upgrade in August 2015, tant DA to hinder prosecution of a I’ve been conducting for citizens hinder prosecution in the first de- citizens of Hinds County.” a number of issues occurred during the implementa- criminal defendant. have been race neutral,” said Smith, gree, felony charges punishable by The three-count indictment al- tion. Among those issues was delayed or infrequent In an exclusive interview with noting that not all individuals in up to five years in prison and a fine leges that Smith conspired with billing. The system is part of the Siemens contract The Mississippi Link, Smith said elected positions appreciate that of up to $5,000 on each count. former Assistant DA Ivon Johnson approved in 2012. what’s taking place is “traditional type of work. Additionally, the grand jury in- and with unnamed co-conspirators Though the city has addressed those issues, city Mississippi politics in the criminal As for the indictment and mov- dicted Smith on a misdemeanor to hinder the prosecution of But- officials recognize some customers have had diffi- justice system. ing forward, Smith said the plan is count of violating Mississippi ler in four different Hinds County culty paying bills they’ve received that are an ac- “This has been happening. The “to continue to get the truth out and Code Section 97-11-3, which states misconduct of Jim Hood is outra- expose the behavior of Jim Hood that a DA shall not “consult, ad- SmithContinued on page 3 Water bill Continued on page 3 Presidential Hills neighbors Timed passes available for come out for a day of fun African-American museum By Stephanie R. Jones Trice Edney Newswire Contributing Writer The dedication of the Smithsonian’s FESTIVAL PLANNED Presidential Hills-Natchez National Museum of African-American WASHINGTON – A festival featuring workshops, storytelling Trace Community Develop- History and Culture will take place Sept. and performances including concerts with bands such as ment Association celebrated its 24, on the National Mall. Public Enemy and The Roots will celebrate the opening of annual Family and Community Following the dedication ceremony, the the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American Day Aug. 27, to bring positive museum will be open to the public from History and Culture this month. awareness to the neighborhood 1-6 p.m. Sept. 24, and from 10 a.m. to The Smithsonian announced Sept. 7, that the three-day and the families who call “The midnight Sept. 25. festival, “Freedom Sounds: A Community Celebration,” on Hills” home. Due to the size, nature and high level the Washington Monument grounds kicks off Sept. 23. The theme of the event was of interest in the dedication ceremony, There will be music and dance performances, spoken word, “Family-Community Spirit the museum is distributing timed-entry oral-history activities and two evening concerts. The festival Day 2016: Catch the Spirit!” passes to serve as many visitors as pos- will highlight music traditions such as jazz, R&B, gospel, sible while maintaining a smooth flow of Neighborhood kids were all Powell Middle School drummers “Petey” and Cashon participate in folk, classical, New Orleans brass band, Afro-Latin jazz and people into the museum. hip-hop. in the spirit with their bags to the parade. PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE R. JONES Timed passes are required for entrance grab candy they knew would The lineup for the Sept. 24 concert includes Living Colour, be tossed during the parade. onto Lyndon B. Johnson Drive west Jackson Middle School, into the museum and will continue indefi- Public Enemy and The Roots. On Sept. 25, the lineup The parade, which started on to Flag Chapel Road, featured Powell Middle School and nitely. The passes are available through includes singer-songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello and Presidential Drive and headed bands from schools neighbor- Provine High School. Washington, D.C.-based go-go band Experience Unlimited. Museum down John F. Kennedy Drive hood children attend – North- Also lined up in the parade ASSOCIATED PRESS Continued on page 3 Book signing JPS educators WhereU helps users Share this issue with a friend planned for Hollis recognized as shop black with by mailing it to: Watkins’ new work outstanding mere finger taps Inside business women Page 6 Page 8 Page 19 LOCAL 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK SEPTEMBER 8 - 14, 2016 www.mississippilink.com Atmos Energy Foster parent planning session customers offered to be held Sept. 9 in Jackson assistance to pay bills Mississippi Link Newswire Four orientations are scheduled be- sippi. ner with our affiliates to work towards Mississippi Link Newswire Leaders of an effort to recruit more fore the training so that people con- Justice Beam, chair of the Missis- licensing even more foster parents so Atmos Energy in partnership with Hinds foster parents to take care of abused sidering becoming licensed foster sippi Commission on Children’s Jus- that we can better serve the children County Human Resource Agency recently and neglected children will hold a parents can learn the requirements. tice, is spearheading organization of of Central Mississippi.” held a Fueling Our Communities Day at Me- planning meeting at 10 a.m. Sept. 9 Anyone interested in attending the Rescue 100 programs to train foster Every foster home must be licensed. trocenter Mall’s event center on the lower lev- at the Gartin Justice Building at 450 weekend training must first attend parents. “We have a tremendous need Completing the licensing process used el to assist those disconnected or struggling to High St. in Jackson.