www.mississippilink.com Vol. 22, No. 2 NoVember 5 - 11, 2015 50¢ H o n o r I n g A l l W H o S e r v e D o n Mason ready to lead Hinds Co. Sheriff’s Department Pastors unite for conversation on racial unity By Ayesha K. Mustafaa Editor Over 22 pastors from across the U.S. converged on Jackson, and participated in an open pan- el discussion “summit” called Victor Mason (c) and supporters flash “V for victory” sign at his campaign watch party tuesday night. on by Mission Mississippi and its president Neddie Winters By Shanderia K. Posey Investigation, Hinds County jail/Detention Center in Ray- Wednesday. Editor Sheriff’s Department, Jackson mond where a riot broke out The lofty goal was to hold a All of Victor Mason’s hard Police Department, and the in March 2014 leaving one “Conversation on Racial Unity work paid off Tuesday when Mississippi Bureau of Narcot- inmate dead and where four in America.” Although “benign he was elected the next sheriff ics. inmates escaped in July of this sounding,” the pastors threw of Hinds County. As for leadership, Mason year. “When you see problems some heavy punches in response With 72 percent of the votes, said, “There’s no way we could in a system ... you gotta fix to some weighty questions from Mason overwhelmingly de- go four more years like this.” those problems,” said Mason, the audience. feated Les Tannehill who Apparently, the majority of who plans to get an assess- Launching the program and snagged 17 percent of votes, voters shared those sentiments. ment of the jail and seek assis- working to draw large numbers, winters Bryant followed by Charlette Oswalt Pastor Sandra Vaughn- tance from the Department of Jay Richardson, senior pas- and Reginald Thompson with Rucker, who has led Vision Justice, including Special As- tor, Highland Colony Baptist 9 percent and 2 percent, re- Outreach Church and Ministry sistant Valerie Gupta and her Church, was called upon to com- spectively. in Jackson since 2012, voted staff, along with other agen- ment. Mason, who has years of for Mason. “I’m a praying cies. “This is a heaven-sent oppor- experience in criminal justice, woman. I believe that it’s just Mason plans to implement a tunity for us to speak to the na- said it was his training along time for some changes. I feel strategy of investigation, inter- tion about racial reconciliation with the need of new leader- like he will be a great asset and vention, and prevention to im- from, of all places, Mississippi. ship that spurred him to seek a fair person. There’s no doubt prove all issues of the sheriff’s Only God could have orchestrat- the sheriff’s position. he can do the job,” Vaughn- office. He wants to move the ed this,” said Richardson. “If it’s in your blood, it’s in Rucker said. enforcement division, current- About Mission Mississippi, your blood. I always wanted to At his watch party Tuesday ly at the Metro Center, back to David Gates, president of Atmos do this (run for sheriff or police night, two of his opponents – Raymond. Other plans include Energy said, “We have had doz- chief),” Mason said. “Why not Oswalt and Thompson – came reevaluating and retraining the ens of employees attend Mission Ford young put it (training) to good use.” by to congratulate him. department’s investigative unit Mississippi events across our That training includes work His primary concern as state. They leave these events and the role our business plays at the Attorney General’s of- sheriff is to address issues Mason inspired and with a positive out- in that future. Race fice, the Federal Bureau of concerning the Hinds County Continued on page 3 look for the future of our state “Becoming involved with Continued on page 4 It was ‘fear Review: A ‘Farish Street rebirth…’ mongering’ that Johnny T’s Bistro and Blues killed Initiative 42 emerges in the heart of Jackson By Stephanie R. Jones sippi Association of Educa- By Chinyere Brown Contributing Writer tors (MAE). “We’re so proud Special to The Mississippi Link Mississippians went to that across the state our edu- the polls and voted Tuesday cators worked with parents, Here in the against full funding for pub- clergy, business and commu- heart of Jack- lic schools to educate its chil- nity leaders to pass Initiative son, the capi- dren. 42 because we all knew that tal city, a res- The majority of Mississippi it would provide the money taurant that voters said no to Initiative to fund the books, computers, opened this 42, a measure to change the and other resources that our summer is now state constitution to require students need to succeed and emerging as the destination lo- the state to fully fund public thrive.” cation for social life. Serving schools. “The fight for our students the grown and sexy, this place The vote on the initiative is far from over,” Helmick is Johnny T’s Bistro and Blues. was 48 percent in favor and 52 said. The new restaurant has percent against. Campaigning The campaigns for and brought life back to historic on both sides had been heavy, against the measure took on Farish Street. From local poets with many Republicans stand- racial undertones. Opponents and singers to famous blues art- ing firmly against it. of the measure said it would ists, Johnny T’s is rapidly be- “Mississippi educators will put control of school funding coming a haven for the Jackson continue to lead this fight for our students,” said Joyce Hel- Initiative 42 Johnny T’s mick, president of the Missis- Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 PhotoS By ChinyeRe BRown Key election A female U.S. College Hill marks 67th women’s day Share this issue with a friend results president could by mailing it to: change America Inside Page 2 Page 13 Page 5 2 • the mississippi link november 5 - 11, 2015 www.mississippilink.com Mississippi voters KEY ELECTION RESULTS Governor state house of rep. Dist. 70 re-elect all eight 1,797 of 1,811 precincts - 99 percent 94 percent of precincts Phil Bryant, GOP (i) 472,197 - 67 percent Kathy Sykes, Dem – 4,221 – 85 percent Robert Gray, Dem 227,400 - 32 percent James Perry, GOP – 740 – 15 percent statewide incumbents Shawn O’Hara, RP 9,835 - 1 percent madison County sheriff By Emily Wagster Pettus standing ban on gubernatorial has used since 1894. He said lieutenant Governor 100 percent reporting Associated Press succession in the late 1980s. if a redesign is going to be 1,797 of 1,811 precincts - 99 percent Randy Tucker, GOP – 19,257 – 73 percent Mississippi voters on Tues- Republican Kirk Fordice was considered, it should be done Tate Reeves, GOP (i) 426,119 - 61 percent Renarldo Manning, Dem – 6,981 – 27 day re-elected Republican elected in 1991 and 1995, in another statewide election, Tim Johnson, Dem 251,045 - 36 percent percent Gov. Phil Bryant, Democratic and Republican Haley Bar- not by legislators. Ron Williams, Lib 16,065 - 2 percent Attorney General Jim Hood bour was elected in 2003 Idetra Berry, who voted at Rosa Williams, RP 9,318 - 1 percent hinds County supervisor Dist. 5 and six other statewide offi- and 2007. During the years New Hope Baptist Church 96 percent reporting cials. It was the first time all Fordice and Barbour were re- in Jackson, said she voted Bobby McGowan, Dem - 6,706 - 79 percent eight statewide officials have elected, some other statewide against Bryant, in part be- secretary of state 1,797 of 1,811 precincts - 99 percent Al Stubblefield, (Ind) - 1,758 – 21 percent been reelected in the same offices changed hands. cause he opposed Initia- year. In the attorney general’s tive 42, a citizen-sponsored Delbert Hosemann, GOP (i) 433,288 - 62 Bryant won a second term. race, Hood was challenged school funding proposal. percent hinds County Constable Dist. 2 Hood won a fourth term and by Mike Hurst, a former fed- “I’m not very happy with Charles Graham, Dem 248,481 - 35 percent 96 percent reporting remains the only Democrat eral prosecutor. Hood told the governor, honestly,” Randy Walker, RP 20,886 - 3 percent John Brown, Dem - 9,876 – 84 percent elected to statewide office in cheering supporters at his Berry said. “He’s made some Leon Jones, Ind - 1,840 – 16 percent Mississippi, and one of only a victory party in Jackson that comments and done some Attorney General few in the South. his mother, who died Aug. things that I don’t think re- 1,797 of 1,811 precincts - 99 percent In addition to Bryant, hinds County Constable Dist. 3 25, had encouraged him to flect the entire state.” Jim Hood, Dem (i) 389,105 - 55 percent the Republicans re-elected seek a fourth term. Election officials said voter 96 percent reporting Mike Hurst, GOP 317,748 - 45 percent statewide are Lt. Gov. Tate “She wanted me to run this turnout Tuesday was steady. Lawrence Funchess, Dem - 7,518 – 92 Reeves for a second term; race,” Hood said. “So, mom, Problems arose in the Delta, percent Secretary of State Delbert we did it again.” where Secretary of State Del- Auditor Jason Wells, GOP – 672 – 8 percent Hosemann for a third term; Voters on Tuesday were bert Hosemann said more 1,797 of 1,811 precincts - 99 percent Auditor Stacey Pickering for also filling regional offices than 2,100 people in Bolivar Stacey Pickering, GOP (i) 449,405 - 64 hinds County election a third term; Treasurer Lynn and all 174 legislative seats.