JSU's Interim President Rod Paige Delivers Solid Message at Forum
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www.mississippilink.com VOL. 23, NO. 7 DECEMBER 8 - 14, 2016 50¢ Lumumba: “Jackson is pregnant with possibilities” Mayoral candidate found themselves earlier this viewing information relative to the with the popular website design- that we are doing is strong enough week involved with fake websites mayoral campaigns of State Sena- er GoDaddy.com and were pur- to stand on its on merit and we responds to fake websites or what is being billed as ‘cyber tor John Horhn or Hinds County chased anonymously. would never stoop to this level.” By Othor Cain deception.’ Supervisor Robert Graham, they The action Lumumba’s team shortly after Contributing Writer The deception were automatically routed to the Lumumba quickly separated the telephone interview released The 2017 Jackson mayoral When visitors clicked on the campaign website for Attorney himself from the deception. In a a statement on Facebook that said election season is officially un- web addresses www.johnhorhn- Choke Antar Lumumba, who is telephone interview, he said, “I derway and the campaign trick- formayor.com and www.robert- also seeking the city’s top job. am a man of principle and believe Lumumba ery has begun. Some candidates grahamformayor.com in hopes of Both domains are registered that our campaign and the work Continued on page 3 Lumumba Gray’s exit JSU’s Interim President Rod Paige from JPS cost taxpayers delivers solid message at forum $195K By Othor Cain Contributing Writer ‘JSU must improve its image’ Based on district records, Jackson Public Schools paid former Superintendent Cedrick Gray $195,000 at the time he resigned. An itemized list of ac- counts payable claims provided by the district showed Gray was paid $195,000 between Oct. 22 and Nov. 4. The school board approved the document at its Nov. 15 meeting. The Mississippi Link received a copy of Gray’s last contract. It was effective July 1, 2015 and was set to expire Gray June 30, 2019. In this contract, Gray earned $205,000 per year with the option of an annual increase of $5,000 based on meeting basic requirements set forth by the board. Additional perks of the contract: Gray was reimbursed up to $1,500 monthly for travel and the dis- trict covered his professional membership with educational JSU Interim President Rod Paige speaks to guests at coffee forum, Dec. 2. PHOTOS BY KEVIN BRADLEY organizations up to $10,000 with the American Association By Othor Cain [his vision] only temporary. way we will get a good leader reserves had plummeted by 89 was terminated under her lead- of School Administrators and Contributing Writer Paige shared his belief that and good faculty members… percent in the last five years, ership and the large number the Mississippi Association of With a standing room only JSU must get beyond the fi- we must fix our image.” landing at $4.2 million for the of lawsuits leveled against the School Administrators. crowd at Koinonia Coffeehouse nancial controversy it finds it- Paige began his tenure as 2016 fiscal year that ended in university, particularly those Under Gray’s leadership the in Jackson last Friday, Jackson self in and position itself to at- president of JSU in November, the fall. that included Vivian Fuller, a Jackson Public Schools Dis- State University’s interim pres- tract a top quality leader. “We after the resignation of Carolyn Meyers’ time at JSU has been close friend of hers and former trict received an “F” grade and ident and former U.S. Secretary must improve the image of our Meyers in late October amid riddled with compliments and athletic director. was placed on probation after of Education under President university and I believe that alleged unauthorized spending complaints. To the criticism To the accolades during Mey- an audit conducted by the state George W. Bush, Rod Paige, we can do that, Paige told the and other budgetary concerns. end, Meyers had been ques- ers time at JSU, the university found JPS in violation of sev- took to the mic to explain his crowd. “We must put this finan- At the time of her resignation, tioned heavily about the num- vision for JSU, even though its cial issue to bed, that’s the only it was revealed that JSU’s cash ber of people who resigned or JSU Gray Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 Prosecutor: Killer at black church had cold, hateful heart By Bruce Smith and Jeffrey Collins trial will move to the penalty Roof, wearing a gray striped Associated Press phase, where Roof plans to act prison jumpsuit, stared down CHARLESTON, S.C. – as his own lawyer to apparently at the table in front of him. Dylann Roof had a “cold and fight for his life. Defense attorney David Bruck hateful heart” when he pulled a Three people survived the said the facts of the case are pistol from his fanny pack dur- shooting, including Polly Shep- largely undisputed and that he ing a Bible study last year and pard. As Roof approached her, would likely ask few questions killed nine black church mem- he said “he would leave her of the government witnesses. bers as they closed their eyes alive to tell his story,” Richard- He may not call any witnesses for a final prayer, a prosecutor son said. of his own. said Wednesday. Jurors will hear Roof’s con- The defense has said repeat- As the 22-year-old white fession and a manifesto in edly in both federal court and man’s death penalty trial be- which he urged a race war, state court – where Roof faces gan, his lawyer conceded that the prosecutor said. He hurled another death penalty trial next Roof committed the slayings. racial insults during the mas- year – that Roof is willing to But the defense suggested that sacre, telling the parishioners plead guilty if capital punish- he should be spared the death Roof Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church he was killing them because he ment is taken off the table. penalty. wanted a war between whites Prosecutors have refused. Prosecutors said Roof sat in othe victims, the Rev. Clem- that night. More than 60 times what a cold and hateful heart he and blacks because blacks were Bruck urged jurors to pay at- the church basement for about enta Pinckney, who was also he hit parishioners,” Assistant had,” Richardson said. raping white women and taking tention to the little things and a half-hour with 12 parishio- a state senator at the time, had U.S. Attorney Jay Richardson Roof faces 33 federal counts, over the country. use their common sense to try ners of the Emmanuel African handed Roof a Bible to study told jurors during his opening including hate crimes, in the Roof’s “racism, his violence, and figure out what made Roof Methodist Episcopal Church during their session. statement. June 17, 2015 slayings. After his assault on a house of wor- before opening fire in an at- “He pulled the trigger on that “He seemed to them to be the racially mixed jury deter- ship won’t prevail in this court- Killer tempt to start a race war. One Glock .45 more than 70 times harmless. Little did they know mines Roof’s guilt, the federal room,” the prosecutor said. Continued on page 3 Employees honored Three-time JSU alum Grambling’s second Share this issue with a friend for service at lands $2.8 million grant half comeback tops by mailing it to: Mississippi State for South Louisiana Alcorn 27-20 in SWAC Inside Hospital Community College Championship Page 7 Page 9 Page 16 LOCAL 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK DECEMBER 8 - 14, 2016 www.mississippilink.com Congressman Bennie Thompson to Santa Day at Mississippi State Hospital, Dec. 21 participate in Bolton Christmas parade Santa Day, one of the most exciting events of care items, fruit and clothing. the year at Mississippi State Hospital, arrives This year, more than 1,800 volunteers visited BOLTON, MS – Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02) will participate in Wednesday, Dec. 21. The activities begin at the campus in November and December and the Town of Bolton Christmas parade, themed “Christmas Around the World.” Building 71 at 9 a.m. provided approximately 90 Christmas parties for the 784 patients and residents served at WHO: Congressman Bennie G. Thompson Santa Day was started by James “Jimmy” MSH. Some groups do caroling on campus, Stubbs, who was MSH director from 1975- and others bring donations that are used as WHAT: Town of Bolton Christmas Parade 88. gifts. Santa Day is the culmination of all of those holiday activities. WHEN: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 10, 2016 On Santa Day, volunteers, elected officials and MSH employees dressed as Santa Claus MSH, a program of the Mississippi WHERE: Downtown Bolton visit each and every patient and resident Department of Mental Health, was founded building on the campus to personally deliver in 1855 and helps the individuals it serves holiday gifts. achieve mental wellness by encouraging hope, promoting safety and supporting Who: New Jerusalem Church Each MSH patient and Jaquith Nursing Home recovery. The hospital is accredited by the residents receive a gift bag with personal Joint Commission. What: Annual Christmas Production – “He Has Come” When: Sunday, December 18, 2016; 7 p.m. Where: New Jerusalem Church Dr. Dwayne K. Pickett Sr., pastor 5708 Old Canton Road Jackson, MS 39211 Admission: Free Event Description: New Jerusalem Church is excited to present their annual Christmas production. This year’s event is titled, He Has Come! Come and share the majesty of the ‘greatest story ever told.’ Witness this dynamic cast of actors, singers, dancers and musicians present a brilliant display and sight and sound.