Jackson Should Learn From the Past

Now that the dust has settled on primary elections we have a clearer view of what to look forward to in two weeks.  On May 19th, voters in Jackson will go back to the polls to cast their ballots in the runoff between Marshand Crisler and Harvey Johnson.  Final tallies are not in yet, but at this point Johnson has a slight lead over Crisler.  The race now turns to the showdown in two weeks and I think we can expect a pretty close runoff.

Crisler should not have much trouble going after Johnson and his 8 failed years already as mayor of Jackson.  I’m sure Johnson will continue to campaign on his stance of other people taking credit for all the “good” work he did as mayor.  If I’m a Jackson voter this is a no brainer for me.  You have one guy who has already had two shots to do the job and failed miserably and then you have another guy who seems vibrant and energetic and ready to tackle Jackson’s problems head on.  Who knows what kind of mayor Crisler would be and how his 4 years may turn out, but I think the guy deserves the chance and it is time for Harvey to just go away.

Lost in all this is the result that Frank Melton will not get a second term as mayor, but more importantly is very ill at St. Dominic’s in Jackson.  Having met Mr. Melton on a couple occasions I can tell you that the guy has a great heart and really and truly means well.  I think his undoing as mayor can be attributed to his lack of political savvy and not playing the game like most career politicians know how to do.  Mr. Melton will be in our prayers as he continues to battle his heart ailments.