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October 22, 2007
Another "Worst Mayor"
We've heard before of Frank Melton, the now-legendary mayor of Jackson, Mississippi. His relationship with the Clarion-Ledger was the topic then. (Aside: the reporter he banned, Kathleen Baydala, moved to that paper from the Chattanooga Times Free Press.)
Now there's an article in Reason that delves a little deeper into this colorful official's past — and mentions his current legal troubles. (HT: Agitator) The piece is penned by alt-weekly editor Donna Ladd, who helms the Jackson Free Press. The JFP maintains a full-on blog about Mayor Melton.
We here in the Scenic City have access to a blog about our own mayor. It's not maintained by an alt-weekly, but rather by a pseudonymous, seeming insider. "Worst Mayor Ever: Ron Littlefield" has chronicled many of the mayoral missteps made since April 2005. (During this writing, I happened to notice a new, rather infuriating post that broke the news (to me) about Littlefield adding Marti Rutherford back to the payroll for three days, so that the former Council member can qualify for group health benefits — which clearly violates the rules.)
But, even with this latest, it surely feels that Jackson's chief executive takes the prize, if one is to be handed out. Ron Littlefield has a strong grip on the silver, though.
Honorable mention as a "Worst Mayor" also goes to Fort Oglethorpe, GA mayor Judd Burkhart.
See other bloggers' reactions to the Rutherford re-hire: 10,000 Monkeys; Irresponsible Journalism; mkelley let out a tweet about it, too.
[Post edited for accuracy and layout.]
Government | By joe lance | 10:35 PM