Sunday, December 5, 2010

Update on Hinds E-911

Have more information for you on the status of the upgrade of Hinds County's 911 system to include enhanced 911 services. Enhanced 911 allows responders to find your location on your cellphone if you call 911 but for some reason, you are unable to tell them where you are. Hinds County does not offer E-911 service while Madison, Rankin, and Warren Counties do. I've spoken to several Hinds County officials in the last few days and found out a few items of interest on this subject.

Much progress has been made on the upgrade. The Board of Supervisors approved AT&T to upgrade the system. AT&T has done its part in terms of upgrading the technology and hardware. There are two steps that need to take place before the switch can be "flipped". Hinds County is in the process of updating its map data. Once its updated, the data is uploaded into the new system. The current map data is fifteen years old and requires 60,000-70,000 corrections according to Hinds County officials.

There is also a separate contract that needs to be approved so another company can assist the county in completing this work. The Board is going to discuss the contract (there are two competing proposals) tomorrow at its regular meeting. The E-911 Board is trying to schedule a special meeting this month so it can approve said contract soooo the Board of Supervisors can approve it at the second regular December meeting. Sources also informed JJ Hinds County paid AT&T nearly $200,000 up front and is paying roughly $30,000 to $40,000 (sorry for not having the exact number) each month on a five-year contract. Sources have also informed JJ there is much pressure going on behind the scenes to make sure this contract is awarded this month so work can begin immediately. The same sources credited the media with forcing the issue.

The Northside Sun also stated in a story on the E-911 system in the current issue "reports claiming that Hinds County misspent millions of dollars in funding set aside for upgrading its 911 system are untrue according to Supervisor Robert Graham." There are no reports claiming the money was "misspent". WLBT questioned Mr. Graham and County officials why there was no E-911 system despite the tax levied on phone bills every month for the service. Neither Mr. Graham nor the officials offered any explanations and at times, blamed each other. This website went one step further and documented the fact that Board has borrowed against the E-911 funds to the tune of several million dollars every year for the last ten years. It is logical to ask if one reason there is no service is due to the fact the fund is used to pay county bills on a regular basis. WLBT and this site both reported the money is paid back and with interest. State Auditor Stacy Pickering stated in the WLBT story the interfund borrowing was legal and that he had tried to stop such borrowing until a county was phase-II compliant but the legislature resisted such efforts.

Mr. Graham nor the Board was accused of misspending or misappropriating anything. However, there is no question Hinds County is suffering from severe financial problems right now and has taken some actions such as using bond funds to make payroll, canceling audits, and buying white elephantine buildings. The taxpayers have a right to know how their E-911 taxes are used when Hinds County does not have E-911 and their leaders can't offer a straight answer. What is troubling is when questioned by WLBT, Mr. Graham, who owns a 911-training company, said he did not know why Hinds County did not have the system and blamed unnamed staff. He later told the Sun it was Hinds County Emergency Operations Center Director Jimmy Lewis's responsibility and blamed him. Mr. Lewis, who fired Mr. Graham's brother, disputed Mr. Graham's allegations and said he was never put in charge of the project. Regardless of who is at fault, it is entirely appropriate to ask where the money is going and why no enhanced system is in place when there is a great need for it in the capital city.

2 comments:

Ironghost said...

It's cute to see the Sun try their hand at reporting. About totally useless.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Kingfish, for staying on top of this one. I am convinced that the only way to even hope for accountability by our lousy elected officials is to stay on top of them and smoke them out.

But I am not even sure that will work. Look at the City of Jackson. Do you think Stokes and Lamumba want to deal with the issues that they are responsible for? Do you think they feel accountable to the citizens of Jackson for the water supply, the horrible street maintenance, or police? No, they would rather bitch and moan about racial issues and draw attention to themselves (i.e., the Pledge of Allegiance).

Keep up the great reporting!



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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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