Melton
Now that I'm in Mississippi, I'm paying closer attention to the political landscape. Since Yazoo City (or County) isn't really a hotbed of activity, my attention has turned to Jackson. It is, after all, the place where a grew up and the city where I'll be attending law school.
Recently, Frank Melton became Jackson's new mayor. Although it's impossible to know his true motives, it is not hard to see that most of his actions are designed to increase his public exposure and improve his image.
It began with Melton (who is a sheriff in another county) heading out with local police officers to make drug arrests. Of course, the cameras came along. This is all fine and good, but one probably loses the element of surprise when you have a news van following you around. But it made for good TV, and sent the message to Melton's constituents that he was tough on crime.
Next, the news reported that someone had broken into a liquor store and scrawled a crude warming to Melton. The news went so far as to even show the phrase "uck Milton" on camera. Not withstanding the burglar's lack of spelling, it's not difficult to finish the phrase. When asked about the incident, Melton replied that he could not comment on the issue, since it was a matter of security.
Huh? Then why show the message, or tip off the news agency? I seriously doubt that the local news has the time or resources to cover every break-in that occurs in the Jackson area. Secondly, since it's a crime scene, it's well within the police's right to seal off the area, take pictures, collect evidence, and then leave. So why let the news know and then not comment? He wants to send the message that he's not scared or intimidated by Jackson's crime.
Next, he announced plans to tear down an apartment complex for safety and health reasons. The residents complained and the next day he was on camera claiming that he had changed his mind and that he wanted to work with the owner to renovate the apartments. The residents were smiling around him. Does anyone buy this? I refuse to believe that Melton is so dumb that he didn't know exactly how this little scenario would play out. At first he announced the tear-down (showing his toughness) and then he announced the renovation (showing his compassion and willingness to work with the people). It was WAY too calculated, but no one seemed to notice.
So now I've begun playing a game- what will Melton do next to get on TV? Here's my hunch- yesterday a guy was hit by a car while playing basketball in the street. The police fined the owner of the basketball goal two hundred dollars and confiscated the goal. The homeowners say that playing basketball allows the young teenagers to put their energy into a safe outlet, as opposed to stealing cars or breaking into houses. (I can't tell you how many times I've stolen something just because I had too much energy.)
My guess is that within the next twenty-four hours, Melton will announce that the city is going to build a basketball court in the guy's neighborhood, complete with security lights. At least, if he's half the politician I think he is, he will. Melton was once in the news business, so he knows how to frame the story to suit his needs. The Jackson media has unknowingly become a puppet that dances anytime Melton pulls the strings. I salute his brilliance.
I don't care how much he manipulates the media, as long as he makes Jackson a better place to learn and live.
Recently, Frank Melton became Jackson's new mayor. Although it's impossible to know his true motives, it is not hard to see that most of his actions are designed to increase his public exposure and improve his image.
It began with Melton (who is a sheriff in another county) heading out with local police officers to make drug arrests. Of course, the cameras came along. This is all fine and good, but one probably loses the element of surprise when you have a news van following you around. But it made for good TV, and sent the message to Melton's constituents that he was tough on crime.
Next, the news reported that someone had broken into a liquor store and scrawled a crude warming to Melton. The news went so far as to even show the phrase "uck Milton" on camera. Not withstanding the burglar's lack of spelling, it's not difficult to finish the phrase. When asked about the incident, Melton replied that he could not comment on the issue, since it was a matter of security.
Huh? Then why show the message, or tip off the news agency? I seriously doubt that the local news has the time or resources to cover every break-in that occurs in the Jackson area. Secondly, since it's a crime scene, it's well within the police's right to seal off the area, take pictures, collect evidence, and then leave. So why let the news know and then not comment? He wants to send the message that he's not scared or intimidated by Jackson's crime.
Next, he announced plans to tear down an apartment complex for safety and health reasons. The residents complained and the next day he was on camera claiming that he had changed his mind and that he wanted to work with the owner to renovate the apartments. The residents were smiling around him. Does anyone buy this? I refuse to believe that Melton is so dumb that he didn't know exactly how this little scenario would play out. At first he announced the tear-down (showing his toughness) and then he announced the renovation (showing his compassion and willingness to work with the people). It was WAY too calculated, but no one seemed to notice.
So now I've begun playing a game- what will Melton do next to get on TV? Here's my hunch- yesterday a guy was hit by a car while playing basketball in the street. The police fined the owner of the basketball goal two hundred dollars and confiscated the goal. The homeowners say that playing basketball allows the young teenagers to put their energy into a safe outlet, as opposed to stealing cars or breaking into houses. (I can't tell you how many times I've stolen something just because I had too much energy.)
My guess is that within the next twenty-four hours, Melton will announce that the city is going to build a basketball court in the guy's neighborhood, complete with security lights. At least, if he's half the politician I think he is, he will. Melton was once in the news business, so he knows how to frame the story to suit his needs. The Jackson media has unknowingly become a puppet that dances anytime Melton pulls the strings. I salute his brilliance.
I don't care how much he manipulates the media, as long as he makes Jackson a better place to learn and live.
posted by Yorick at 4:30 AM
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