Latest news with #JohnHorhn
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Civil Service Commission returns in Jackson to bring accountability to city employment
Jackson Mayor John Horhn has revived the city's long-dormant Civil Service Commission, a body tasked with ensuring fair hiring, promotion and discipline practices for city employees. What is civil service? "The Civil Service Commission safeguards an orderly, merit-driven system for city employees, providing every qualified citizen with a fair chance at public service and strengthening the quality of municipal departments," the press release states. "The Commission oversees recruiting, evaluating, and promoting employees strictly on the basis of performance and qualifications, while upholding a comprehensive Code of Rules and Regulations in line with the Civil Service Acts." Under state law — specifically, Miss. Code Ann. § 21-31-1 — a city's Civil Service Commission helps oversee personnel policies and employment-related disputes for municipal workers. The commission will meet on the second Thursday each month at the Andrew Jackson conference room in the Hood Building on 200 South President Street. All meetings are open to the public. It's unclear when the commission stopped meeting. Jackson's communications director Nic Lott said the commission stopped meeting under former Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba's administration, and he was unsure why. More members also might be added to the commission in the future. 'This is another example of our commitment to improving governance,' Horhn said in the release. 'These commissioners bring integrity, knowledge, and experience to the job.' The press release states that the commission has one current member, Onetta Starling Whitley. She works in the general counsel division for Jackson State University and "serves as the University's lead in‐house attorney," according to her biography on JSU's website. 'Our main goal is to ensure all hiring and promotions in Jackson's city government are based solely on merit and ability. We stand ready to help increase the effectiveness and morale of our entire city workforce," Whitley said in the press release. Who is on the civil service board? Additionally, Horhn has nominated Peyton Prospere and Ronald K. Moore to serve on the board. Both will need to be confirmed by the Jackson City Council, which is expected to be voted on at their next meeting on Aug. 12, according to Lott. Prospere is an attorney with local Jackson firm Watkins and Eager and has practiced public law and finance for 45 years, according to the firm's website. Prospere was chief counsel for former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove and later director of Jackson's Administration Department under Mayor Frank Melton. He also served as interim state treasurer in 2003, before current Republican Gov. Tate Reeves took over the role in 2004. 'We're committed to listening to employees and residents alike as the commission moves forward,' Prospere said in the press release. 'Our focus will be on creating lasting positive change that benefits both city workers and the people of Jackson.' Moore is the founder and serves as the senior pastor of Stronger Hope Church, which is located off Beasley Road in North Jackson. The church was established in 1993, according to its website. An Army veteran, Moore transitioned from the military to ministry and studied at various schools across the South before opening his church. 'Being nominated to serve on the Civil Service Commission is both an honor and a responsibility. The work we will do shapes a culture of excellence and fairness that every city employee and resident deserves," Moore said in the press release. Horhn's administration said reactivating the board will bring Jackson back into compliance with civil service standards and provide a check on hiring decisions. Charlie Drape is the Jackson beat reporter. You can contact him at cdrape@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS Mayor Horhn announces return of Civil Service Commission Solve the daily Crossword
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 joining Horhn's A-team? Jackson mayor-elect expands transition roster, sets early agenda
Just weeks away from his July 1 swearing-in, Mayor-elect John Horhn is continuing to build out the leadership team that will help usher Jackson into a new era, announcing Wednesday a slate of additions to his "mayoral transition team." The latest appointments signal a continued emphasis on community engagement and institutional experience — a mix Horhn says is necessary to tackle Jackson's urgent challenges and restore public trust in city government. Two new co-chairs and eight at-large members have joined the team, which was initially unveiled June 6. The expanded leadership group will play a central role in shaping personnel decisions, evaluating city operations and drafting the incoming administration's policy roadmap. The two co-chairs include Beverly Hogan, a retired president of Tougaloo College, and Carol Palmer, an entrepreneur and longtime arts advocate. For the eight at-large members, Horhn has tapped a mix of state lawmakers, local business leaders and community activists. The members include: Zakiya Summers, Democratic state representative for District 68. Sollie Norwood, Democratic state senator for District 28. Johnnie Patton, former National Democratic Committeewoman. Surinder Singh, entrepreneur. Patricia Reese, entrepreneur. Gabriel Prado, entrepreneur. Warren Herring, healthcare executive and current chairman of the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority. Brenda Scott, labor advocate. "I am honored to have such accomplished leaders join our transition team," Horhn said in a press release. "Carol Palmer and Dr. Beverly Hogan bring invaluable experience and community credibility to our efforts. Our At-Large members represent diverse perspectives from business, healthcare, labor, and government that will ensure we build a comprehensive foundation for Jackson's future." The additional members will work in coordination with previously announced members of Horhn's transition leadership team, including former Jackson mayor Kane Ditto, attorney Robert Gibbs, Bishop Ronnie Crudup Sr, interim chief of staff Willie Bozeman and interim media spokesman Von Anderson. Horhn's team outlined their top priorities for his administration's first 30 days. Those priorities include identifying personnel changes, assessing departmental budgets, engaging with city department heads, evaluating current infrastructure and public safety and hosting community input sessions. The transition team will also: Review how the city is currently operating and handling its finances Meet with department leaders and key staff Set policy goals and plan the city's next budget Build relationships with partners at the state, federal and regional levels Make sure essential city services continue without interruption "This transition is about more than changing administrations – it's about transforming how city government works for every resident of Jackson," Horhn said. "Our expanded team reflects the collaborative approach we will bring to city leadership." Horhn inherits a city with deep, well-documented struggles — a crumbling water system under federal oversight, strained relations between City Hall and the state and widespread frustration over issues like crime, potholes and blight. The previous administration, led by Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, faced persistent political infighting and public criticism at the end of his second term, culminating in Horhn's defeat of Lumumba in the April 22 Democratic runoff. That said, Horhn's transition team also aims to address: Water and sewer infrastructure modernization. Street repair, replacement and maintenance. Public safety and crime reduction. Economic development and job creation. Fiscal management and budget stabilization County, state and federal partnership. The transition period — typically 30 to 60 days — allows a mayor-elect and their team to evaluate city departments, finalize appointments and begin shaping policy. Horhn's team said the work done during the transition will directly inform his administration's "action plan and longer-term strategic initiatives." "Jackson's best days are ahead of us," Horhn said. 'This transition team represents the depth of talent and commitment that will drive our city forward.' Contact Charlie Drape at cdrape@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: More join Jackson MS Mayor-elect John Horhn transition team
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
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jackson Mayor-elect John Horhn names additional transition team members
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Jackson Mayor-elect John Horhn announced new members to his mayoral transition team. According to Horhn, Carol Palmer and Dr. Beverly Hogan were named as additional co-chairs of the transition team. He also announced the selection of eight At-Large Transition Team Members: Zakiya Summers – Mississippi State Representative, District 68 Sollie Norwood – Mississippi State Senator, District 28 Johnnie Patton – Former National Democratic Committeewoman Surinder Singh – Entrepreneur Patricia Reese – Entrepreneur Gabriel Prado – Entrepreneur Warren Herring – Healthcare Entrepreneur Brenda Scott – Labor Advocate Jackson Mayor-elect John Horhn names transition leadership team Horhn said the expanded team will focus on several areas during the transition period, including personnel reviews, key appointments, budget analysis, infrastructure and public safety evaluations and community input sessions. They also plan to address water and sewer infrastructure modernization, street repairs, public safety, job creation and county, state and federal partnership development. 'This transition is about more than changing administrations – it's about transforming how citygovernment works for every resident of Jackson. Our expanded team reflects the collaborativeapproach we will bring to city leadership,' said Horhn. The transition will begin with Horhn's inauguration on July 1, 2025. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
