Latest news with #ChokweAntarLumumba
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Thalia Mara closed last year. Lumumba said it reopened; Horhn says it hasn't. What to know
Thalia Mara Hall has officially been closed for a year — and while former Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba declared it reopened on his last day in office, current Mayor John Horhn said that's not the case. "On the final days of the previous administration, it was announced that Thalia Mara was opened for business," Horhn said. "Unfortunately, that's not the case. There's still some things that have to be done to get us there. We're expecting in the next 30 to 60 days we'll have the improvements that are needed to get it fully opened." The improvements include bringing the historic theater into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by certifying its elevator — something that still hasn't been completed, Horhn said Friday, Aug. 1. The issue with the current elevator is that it is too small to meet ADA standards. Horhn added that the mold, which initially prompted the hall's closure, is no longer an issue, and that asbestos discovered in January has also been addressed. The remaining 'major issue,' he said, is the installation of a new fire curtain, which has been ordered and should be installed 'fairly soon.' The mayor noted that Thalia Mara still faces longer-term maintenance challenges, which he attributed to the building's age. The venue first opened in 1968. "The exterior probably needs a face lift. There's some things we need to do to make the space more usable on the inside," Hohrn said. "When we put together the opening, we'll enunciate the longer term issues that have to be addressed at some point." Horhn also said officials at the Mississippi Museum of Art have expressed interest in a 'whole makeover' of the surrounding cultural corridor — including Thalia Mara Hall, the museum itself, the Mississippi Arts Center, and the currently under-construction Planetarium. All four venues sit neighbor to each other along Pascagoula Street and West Street in Downtown Jackson. Despite the setbacks, Horhn said representatives from Broadway in Jackson have already been in discussion to book shows for the 2026 season. When the theater first shut down, several Broadway performances were canceled or moved to the Mississippi Coliseum. "We are working on a series of shows to return to Thalia Mara Hall in the future," said Joe Kosin, Broadway in Jackson's head of programming. Kosin said it's been an 'uphill battle' following a year of canceled shows and shifting venues — but efforts are underway to bring performances back. Since the closure, Jackson has spent nearly $3 million on repairs, according to records obtained by the Clarion Ledger through a public records request. The bulk of that — nearly $2.5 million — has gone to Guarantee Restoration Services for mold remediation, HVAC cleaning, and encapsulation of the theater. The venue was originally scheduled to reopen in January, but a string of delays — including failed air quality tests, asbestos discovery and a failed state fire marshal inspection — have continued to push the timeline back. The city has not announced a reopening date, but officials hope to complete repairs in the coming weeks. Charlie Drape is the Jackson beat reporter. You can contact him at cdrape@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Horhn says Thalia Mara Hall is not open despite Lumumba's claim Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Who's helping Horhn run Jackson? Mayor's new appointees mix fresh faces with familiar names
Jackson Mayor John Horhn unveiled his first wave of administrative appointments, naming several new department directors and keeping key figures from the previous administration on board. Most of the appointments Horhn announced last week must be confirmed by the Jackson City Council. Under state law, each city department is led by a director, who is appointed by the mayor and approved by the council. Interim directors may serve for up to 90 days, after which the council must vote to approve or reject them. The mayor also has the authority to remove department directors. While new faces are starting to clock in at City Hall, a few department heads from former Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba's administration are staying on under Horhn for now. Those include Chief of the Jackson Police Department Joseph Wade, City Attorney Drew Martin, Municipal Clerk Angela Harris, Director of Human Resources Toya Martin and Chief Financial Officer Fidelis Malembeka. But there is still a major question mark remaining over Jackson's Department of Public Works, which has gone without a permanent director since 2023. Chronic understaffing led Lumumba to contract with Al-Turk Planning for support. In July 2024, the council approved a one-year, $700,000 contract with the firm, which ends in August. Since then, Emad Al-Turk has served as the city's de facto public works director It's unclear whether the firm will continue in that role once the contract expires. In May, Horhn told the Clarion Ledger he was "confident" he could find a permanent director. The last person tapped for the job, Khalid Woods, resigned twice in 2023 before ever being confirmed by the council. The director of public works earns $164,000 a year, making it the highest-paid position in city government. Parchman: Inside a Mississippi execution: Clarion Ledger reporter recounts what it was like Here's a look at Horhn's new appointments, their titles and who they're replacing: Horhn's campaign manager, Willie Bozeman, has landed the job of interim chief of staff, which is essentially the mayor's right-hand-man. Bozeman is a former member of the Mississippi House of Representatives. He succeeds Safiya Omari, who served as Chief of Staff under Mayor Lumumba and was known for staunchly defending the former mayor's initiatives — sometimes sparking contentious exchanges with members of the council. According to the city's 2023 salary list, Omari made just over $103,000 annually. Horhn also named Jamal Sibley as interim special assistant to the mayor. Von Anderson, who served as interim spokesman on Horhn's transition team, has been named interim director of Jackson's Department of Planning and Development. Anderson replaces Jhai Keeton, who was confirmed to lead the department in June 2024. The department oversees zoning, building permits, code enforcement and land use planning to help guide how the city grows and develops. Among the many projects overseen by the department is 'The Pulse at Farish,' a downtown development announced in January by Keeton and Lumumba. The project, planned for a site across from the Jackson Convention Complex, includes a skate park, pavilion and event space. But the property is more widely known as the focal point of a federal bribery investigation that led to indictments of Lumumba, former Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks and Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens — allegedly for accepting bribes from undercover FBI agents posing as developers who said they wanted to build a convention center hotel. It's unclear if Anderson and Horhn's new administration are planning on moving forward with the project. According to a 2023 city employee salary list obtained by the Clarion Ledger through a public records request, the department director earns nearly $89,000 a year. Pieter Teeuwissen will take over as the city's chief administrative officer, a role previously held by Louis Wright. The CAO serves as the mayor's chief aide, overseeing the city's daily operations. Teeuwissen is a former Hinds County judge and an attorney for Simon & Teeuwissen. Gov. Tate Reeves appointed Teeuwissen as a county court judge for Hinds County in 2023, according to a release from the Mississippi Supreme Court. Teeuwissen was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of Judge LaRita Cooper-Stokes, the late wife of Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes. Wright also oversaw the city's public works department while it was without a director, but it's unclear whether Teeuwissen will take on the same role. Jackson's CAO makes roughly $114,000 per year, according to the city's 2023 salary list. Mayoral elections: How NYC mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani is tied to Mississippi Veteran firefighter RaSean Thomas has been named interim chief of the Jackson Fire Department, replacing Chief Willie Owens following his retirement. He's been a vocal advocate for pay raises and better conditions at fire stations, often clashing with leadership. In 2023, he and Owens went head-to-head during the department's push for higher salaries, culminating in a "sick-out" protest led by Thomas where nearly 60 firefighters didn't show up for work. Jackson's fire chief earns nearly $89,000 a year, according to the city's 2023 salary list. Grace Fisher is the new Interim Director of Jackson's Department of Communications. She replaces Melissa Payne. Fisher previously served as communications director for the Mississippi Department of Corrections and was also an editor at the Clarion Ledger. She will be charged with overseeing how the city communicates with the public, the media and internal departments. According to the city's 2023 salary list, the communications director makes $92,000 annually. Pearlean Campbell, who worked as the victim services director at MDOC, has been tapped to lead Jackson' s Department of Constituent Services. The department basically serves as the city's customer service team, helping residents navigate and resolve issues with city services. Chris Gray served as the previous constituent services manager. According to the city's 2023 salary list, he made nearly $61,000 per year. Horhn named Nathan Slater as interim director of the IT Department. According to Slater's LinkedIn profile, he has held positions with C-Spire and his own consulting company. Slater replaces former director Muriel Reid. According to the city's 2023 salary list, Reid made just under $89,000 annually as director. Contact Charlie Drape at cdrape@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: John Horhn shakes up Jackson, MS, City Hall: Who will have top jobs
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lumumba signs off as mayor, announces reopening of Thalia Mara Hall before exiting office
On his last day in office, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba announced Thalia Mara Hall has officially reopened. Standing in front of Thalia Mara Hall's front doors, Lumumba stepped up to the podium for one final Monday press conference — a tradition he's held, on and off, since taking office. "We stand here excited, here at the conclusion of our administration, to reopen Thalia Mara Hall," Lumumba said. "Today marks what we view as a full circle moment, rejoicing in the iconic space where community has come together for decades in the City of Jackson. Thalia Mara has always been more than a venue, it has been a gathering place for people in the City of Jackson." The downtown venue closed in August 2024 after a malfunctioning HVAC system caused mold. Since then, it has faced a series of setbacks and complications — including potential asbestos, issues with the fire curtain, vandalism by unhoused individuals and a failed Mississippi State Fire Marshal inspection — all of which have delayed its reopening. Nearly $3 million has been spent on repairs since the closure, according to a March "Clarion Ledger" report, though that number may have increased since. Now, almost 10 months to the day since its closure, Lumumba announced the venue has passed all necessary inspections. Reporters were invited inside to see the progress. No leaks, vandalism or visible mold remained. Only two repairs still need to be made, but Lumumba and Amad Al-Turk, the city's de facto public works director, said they won't prevent the venue from reopening or hosting events. MS execution: Execution completed by lethal injection for Mississippi murderer Richard Jordan at Parchman The first repair involves reinstalling the fire curtain, which requires remediating the beam it hangs from due to the presence of asbestos. Al-Turk said that work should take about a week. The second is the installation of a second air-conditioning chiller, which is expected to be completed in fall 2026. Al-Turk said it will take 14 to 16 weeks for the unit to arrive, contributing to the delay. Lumumba's announcement follows a June 3 follow-up inspection by the State Fire Marshal's Office, which determined that Thalia Mara meets the standards to reopen, according to State Fire Marshal and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney. "We are hopeful for the future of this auditorium that it may be able to provide a more up-to-date experience for residents, inviting shows that people are able to see across the world, bringing them to Jackson," Lumumba said. It's unclear whether any events have been scheduled at Thalia Mara. None are currently listed on the venue's website. After speaking about Thalia Mara, Lumumba invited his wife, Ebony, to stand beside him and opened the floor to questions — most of which focused on his time as mayor, what he was proud of and his plans for the future. "Because this is my last press conference, I just want to end it with an expression of gratitude," Lumumba said. "I'm grateful for the residents of Jackson for giving me the professional honor of serving you. I have enjoyed the service, not necessarily every moment has been an easy one, but grateful for the opportunity to try to build our city into a better place. Moving to Jackson in 1988 was the best decision my parents ever made. We not only found a home, we found community. I have spent more time with the residents of Jackson than my own blood relatives." Mississippi Masala: How NYC mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani is tied to Mississippi Lumumba thanked his wife, his executive administration and the residents for the past eight years he served in office. Mayor-elect John Horhn, who defeated Lumumba in the April 22 Democratic run-off, is set to take office Tuesday, July 1. Lumumba announced he will not be in attendance during the inauguration due to a prior engagement. Lumumba said he will be returning to practicing law, as well as consultancy work. He said he has no plans to run for mayor again. "I love Jackson, I will always love Jackson, and, again, I'm grateful the opportunity to serve the city," Lumumba said. Contributor: Mary Boyte, Clarion Ledger Contact Charlie Drape at cdrape@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Thalia Mara Hall reopens as Lumumba ends his time as Jackson MS mayor
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mayor Lumumba addresses council's hiring freeze, says recent hires were about serving residents
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba defended two recent hires made during the final weeks of his second term — decisions that prompted the Jackson City Council to pass an ordinance implementing a hiring freeze on most city positions through the end of June. Lumumba recently appointed Tariq Abdul-Tawwab as deputy director of the Public Works Department and former Hinds County Supervisor David Archie as a staff assistant in the mayor's office. Abdul-Tawwab previously served as 'chief experience officer' at JXN Water in 2023 but left later that year. His wife, Candace Abdul-Tawwab, is a director at the People's Advocacy Institute, a nonprofit founded by the mayor's sister, Rukia Lumumba. Archie, who ran against Lumumba in the April 1 primary, endorsed the mayor ahead of the April 22 runoff, according to a Facebook post shared by Lumumba on April 18. Council President and Ward 7 Councilwoman Virgi Lindsay, who introduced the hiring freeze ordinance on May 20, previously confirmed the two appointments influenced her decision to bring the legislation forward. Speaking after the council's Tuesday meeting, Lumumba initially declined to comment, saying, 'I don't have any thoughts,' when asked about the council's hiring freeze. But he later defended the hires, saying both positions were vacant and essential to city operations. "Both of those positions were vacant and they both serve the community and our responsibility is to serve the community until the end," Lumumba said. "One vacancy deals directly with constituent complaints every day, so if people are in need of water at senior centers, if people need somebody to come check out their pothole — I would imagine that the residents don't want me to leave them with 60 days of not responding to those issues." Lumumba also pushed back on criticism that the hires were politically motivated. "It's not a political thing. It's a responding thing. So both of those positions are about responding to residents needs," Lumumba said. Before Lumumba addressed the hiring freeze, the council approved an amendment to the original ordinance during its regular meeting to allow for additional hires. The original ordinance, obtained by the Clarion Ledger, freezes all vacant positions — and those expected to become vacant — within the executive branch, except for roles specifically assigned to the Jackson Police Department and Jackson Fire Department. Lindsay introduced the amendment to allow JPD to hire critical positions, such as 911 dispatchers. It also permits the hiring of seasonal workers in the Department of Parks and Recreation, including an educational specialist and three zookeepers at the Jackson Zoo, two lifeguards and park maintenance staff. The amendment further allows the city to hire CDL drivers for the Division of Solid Waste and two employees in the Department of Finance and Administration, positions Chief Financial Officer Fidelis Malembeka said he is prepared to fill. The council passed the amended ordinance in a 6-0 vote. Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes was not in attendance when the vote was called. The hiring freeze remains until June 30. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS mayor Lumumba defends hires as council tweaks city hiring freeze
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jackson, MS, election results for June 3 general election for mayor, city council races
Jackson voters returned to the polls Tuesday, June 3, to vote in the general election to decide the mayor of Jackson as well as five Jackson City Council races. One thing is certain: Jackson will have a new mayor. Two-term Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba was defeated by Democratic Sen. John Horhn in the April 22 primary runoff. Horhn is facing Republican challenger Kenneth Gee and four independents: Rodney DePriest, Zach Servis, Lillie Stewart-Robinson and Kim Wade. Wade announced in mid-May that he is endorsing DePriest and is urging his supporters to vote for him. His name still appeared on the June 3 ballot because he did not withdraw from the race in time. For the Jackson City Council, five seats are up grabs: Wards 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7. Unlike the earlier rounds, there will be no runoff. The candidate with the most votes wins and assumes office starting July 1. Below is a look at the results for the Jackson mayor and city council races: Incumbent Ward 4 Councilman Brian Grizzell retained his seat after the Democratic April 1 primary, defeating challenger Malcolm May. Grizzell is running unopposed in the general election, therefore winning the seat. It will be his second term on the council. Democrat Lashia Brown-Thomas won the April 22 primary runoff election, defeating Emon Thompson. Brown-Thomas will be the Ward 6 representative on the Jackson City Council as she is running unopposed in the general election. She replaces current Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks, who decided not to run for reelection. Council President Virgi Lindsay announced in January that she would not seek reelection. Three candidates are vying to replace her to represent Ward 7. Contact Charlie Drape at cdrape@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson, MS, election results for June 3, 2025 for mayor, city council
