Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Just one question

Remember this little press conference by Margaret Barrett-Simon announcing her candidacy for Mayor?




Here is what the city code has to say:

Sec. 2-2. Procedure for use of facilities in city hall.
(a) The conference room, council chamber and other facilities of the city hall shall be used exclusively by the mayor and members of the city council for the transaction of public business and may be used by department heads when so authorized by the mayor.

Is engaging in personal political campaigns the "public business"?  Honest question.  Can't find an AG opinion that settles this issue. 

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good question.

Most politicians would probably argue elections are public business.

If this had been a fund raiser or some campaign party, I'd object, but an announcement to me falls under " much ado about nothing" especially since she has no chance.

Anonymous said...

I agree about the "much ado about nothing"....if you had found evidence that this was not ok then you would have not posted this. Clearly, there is no real answer to your question from the AG office or the city legal department or the city clerk. If all three did not have a law to reference saying that it was not ok then it is ok.

I have much more of an issue with Chokwe's chief of staff (a city employee....paid by the taxpayers) not only campaigning for the son but representing him on forums when he is absent. This is a CLEAR violation of city law. The city has stated in multiple citywide emails that immediate termination is the result if a city employee campaigns for a candidate.

Anonymous said...

elections are public business - but campaigns are not elections.

This was a campaign event, plain and simple. So I would opine that this was a violation of the council rules. But, considering how many other illegal things have been done by our city government, we can't really get to excited about this 'error'.

Frankly, I'm glad Margaret could find the Council Chambers - from her attendance record the past few years I was afraid that she had forgotten where the City Hall was located.

Anonymous said...

The AG's office, the Legal Department for the City (James Anderson) and the City Clerk were consulted before the announcement was moved inside. As with what you found, there was nothing to state that this was not legal and the go ahead to move it inside was given.

Anonymous said...

9:37 - how do you access a council person's attendance record?

Kingfish said...

The AG's office interprets local ordinances? I thought they only offered advice on the application of state laws.

Anonymous said...

How do you get a council person' attendance record?

Anonymous said...

MBS daughter has just been catapulted into business by the Commissioner of Agriculture. Having been granted a state contract without meeting any of the required RFP's. Good Job!

Anonymous said...

JFP endorses Chuckie Jr. ROFLMAO The kiss of death for the least experienced candidate.

Anonymous said...

Republican Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith has awarded a contract to Democrat City Councilwoman's Barrett-Simon's daughter. Her daughter owns Uncorked Catering in Jackson. According to the State Health Department, Uncorked Catering is not licensed with them. According to the ABC division of the Department of Revenue, Kathryn Barrett does hold a liquor license, but only as the manager of The Mermaid at Lake Caroline. The Mermaid is ownded by Nick Apostle. If she is serving wine and liquor in her catering business, where is the license? People - you need to call your legislators at the Capitol @ 601-359-3770 and ask them why and how Hyde-Smith did this?

Anonymous said...

MBS isn't pulling out of the race. Get over it.

Anonymous said...

9:37 am I expect a politician would say that campaigns are part of the election process.

The point I was trying to get across is this is a non-starter for anyone who isn't politically obsessive compulsive.

Voters won't give a rat's behind and most of the time think those who do are making mountains out of molehills.

Anonymous said...

1:43, a "politician" would probably say that - but as Justice Dickenson said in a MSSC opinion in 2006, if the legislature decided to create a law against political candidates telling lies, it would overload the court system as it currently exists.

State statutes define elections, and define campaigns and set rules and requirements for each. The election process is one that determines the success or failure of a campaign.

However, I agree with your point about this being a non-starter, and most voters won't care. They either support MBS, or they don't, and nothing she does or doesn't do will change their minds.

Frankly, the same is true about most of the other "significant" candidates in this election.



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This is definitely a Beaver production.


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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.

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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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