Re: Those “Republicans in Northeast Jackson”

There was something else that I wanted to touch upon from the Clarion-Ledger story that I referenced a few minutes ago, and that is one comment made by Walter Zinn, campaign manager for Harvey Johnson.

Zinn made a point of saying that Marshand Crisler’s donors included “Republicans in northeast Jackson.”

First, this is a good indication of what we can expect from Harvey Johnson over the next four years.

However, I find is ironic- although not surprising in the least bit- that Johnson and his team will take cheap shots at Northeast Jackson. Why is it ironic? Because Johnson needs their taxes to subsidize the rest of Jackson. Of course this is happening now and has been happening for sometime, and will continue to happen for the forcible future as I don’t see too many other middle and upper classes areas springing up inside the Jackson city limits.

So essentially, residents of Northeast Jackson have a mayor who looks down upon them- largely because they are white. However, I would venture to say that a large proportion of the tax base comes from Ward 1, which Johnson uses to spread around on government programs and other entitlements Ward 1 residents will never see.

And what do Northeast Jackson residents get in return? Bad public schools (above the elementary level), higher taxes than the surrounding counties, higher car tag prices than the surrounding counties, and high and increasing crime.

I would say Rankin and Madison counties are extremely happy with the mayoral election. A mayor Johnson ensures the flight out of Jackson will continue, and probably increase at a faster rate in the coming years.