Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 3, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wonder why 600 of the overall voters failed to vote for or against the tax? Are you guys sure you counted those votes right?

Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on June 3, 2008 at 8:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

EnK- Well, COMMENTS?

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 3, 2008 at 8:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

But congratulations on your defeat of good sense. I will be applying for a grant to host the Las Vegas Casino Workers Union annual convention. Tourism workers, be sure to donate when the accout is set up.

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 3, 2008 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, the 601 people who failed to vote yes or no represent 28% of the total yes vote, more than enough to change the decision if some votes were miscounted or not counted. I demand a recount!

Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 3, 2008 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

EnK...maybe some people just didn't have an opinion on the tax issue...maybe they just failed to see the proposition at the bottom of the ballot...maybe they voted by exercizing their right to abstain...LOL.

I hope this helps Natchez market Natchez, if and when this gets shanghaied I'll be right there with you raising H#$@!

Posted by BHillyer (Ben Hillyer) on June 3, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The numbers have been updated from the city clerk's office. They do not include affidavit or absentee ballots.

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 3, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You may be right Sam. Still, that is one out of six of all voters. That is awfully high.

Posted by ThomasR09 (anonymous) on June 3, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm personally glad it passed.

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 3, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The city didn't follow the rules the first time Sam, and this is just an amendment to the same darn bill. All the things I said about how that gifts clause can be used are absolutely true. That is why it is in there. When I get home I will show you some stuff. You'll see why I was so opposed.

Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on June 3, 2008 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

EnK- It's coming back to "Haunt" us!

Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on June 3, 2008 at 9:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe not voting was their way of saying none of the above.

Posted by tiny_tim (anonymous) on June 3, 2008 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bad news for the citizens of Natchez.

Now they can sneak extra taxes in on food, drinks, etc. because that won't require a popular vote. Now instead of tourists paying these taxes, the citizens will be squeezed just a little more.

On the flip side, maybe now the CVB can start paying their bills in full and on time.

Posted by niderbip (anonymous) on June 3, 2008 at 9:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

why should they? the last tax was diverted and nobody did a thing.

Posted by Username (anonymous) on June 3, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Step 2 - Bring on the hurricanes!!
Now that this tax has been voted in let's hope it's a destructive hurricane season in the gulf so them evacuees can get to Natchez pay the tax and boost the local economy.

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 3, 2008 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tourism Workers of the World Unite!

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 3, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh yeah, tourism workers, it is illegal for an employer to harrass you because of any connection you may have to efforts to organize.

Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 3, 2008 at 10:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

EnK...I'm shocked, shocked...encouraging unionism is anti-libertarian isn't it?

Username...whoever you are...the sarcasm wasn't funny, to wish hurricanes on people is just sick.

Posted by truthseeker (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 12:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Enk It because of people like you that makes me happy that my husband got out of the NEGETIVE Libertarian.

Posted by truthseeker (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 12:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I live outof town,but I have family in that area.When I come to BEAUTIFUL Natchez.As long as My hotel is CLEAN,SAFE,AND REASONABLE I will gladly pay that sm extra amout!

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 12:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, i'm not a libertarian. I never said I was. I've been called a libertarian, a communist, and a conservative dinosaur by people on here.

I am issue oriented. I am against corporate welfare, so in order to achieve social equity I will be supporting the growing union movement amony tourism workers in Natchez.

Tourism Workers of the World UNITE!

Posted by frogprincenessntz (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 12:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

They should make sure the advisory board is not made up of any of the "old" tourism group who have already shown that they cannot market Natchez. Tipton said, "it's critical for us to get this", but he now works for a hotel group. Make them ante up their own money for their marketing and keep his hands out of this money.

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 12:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Its too late for that froggy. There should be some fun catfights to watch though, so all is not gloomy though. The old tourism group is way outvoted on how this money will be spent...on what publications in what markets it will be spent. And watch, this is not going to have much result, so more will soon be needed.

Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 1:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, I guess the 'free' catfish dinner give-a-way from last week can be paid for now.

Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 4:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i feel sure that this money will be channeled into the general fund like everything else has.

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 6:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just got to check the news (since I'm out of town) and this is very good. I feel like we are moving in the right direction. Thanks for so many people voting YES for this.

Posted by beamreach (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

NtzMom...catfish dinner was paid for by the new hotel...had you been there you'd have known that.

Posted by beamreach (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

did any of you attend one of the five meetings that took place to discuss the parameters of the legislation before it was written? And EnKi...what is your problem? You need to back off and give this thing a chance. The politicos that abused the initial tax are out of the picture and the new city officials want this money to be used to market Natchez. And froggy...none of the "old tourism" board can serve on the new board because that would cause a conflict of interest. Enough already!

Posted by beamreach (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Look at it this way instead of as a tax if it will make you feel better...Here's a different headline for you. ALL NATCHEZ HOTELS & BnB'S ELECT TO RAISE ROOM RATES BY $2...MONEY WILL BE DONATED TO CVB FOR MARKETING BUDGET INCREASE! LOCAL CITIZENS WON'T BE TAXED FOR FUNDS!

Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Who this will hurt is the smaller hotels whose main occupants are people who can not afford an expensive room at the new hotels or the b&b. The family who has to visit for a funeral or any reason. Let's look at it as it stood before this. The "tax" was just that a tax. Mississippi State sales tax is 7%. Lodging tax in Natchez 3% for a total of 10% lodging tax. Now on a $50.00 room that is only $5.00, but on a $200.00 room on a "tourist hotel" that would be $20.00, so the "tourist pays more because he is paying for a more expensive room. O.k. that's fine?????Now not only the 10% lodging tax, but another (not percent based on the room rate) $2.00. So this $50.00 room just went to $57.00, too bad it is just not the "tourist " who will be paying this flat $2.00, but the "common man, family" that just happens to be passing through our lovely town. Good going Natchezians....

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I work beamy, I don't priss arounnd town in JC Penney Dockers pretending I'm a Republican, preening and oohing and ahhing at art and architecture and trying to figure out ways to get other people to pay my bills. So no, I didn't attend those meetings, didn't know about them, and it wouldn't have mattered if I had, because i see the result.

My problem is my dad worked himself silly at Armstrong supporting our family, like many other men who worked in plants around town. I remember so clearly the frustration he felt attending council meettings in the seventies where it was made very clear Natchez didn't want and didn't need smokestack industries, and union people were seen as subhumans making obscene wages. The tourism people won that battle and have their poverty stricken town to supply them with willing, eager minimum wage servants to preserve the illusion of class and privilege Natchez wishes to impress itself with...it doesn't impress anyone else.

So, you got rid of the unions, you are going to help yourselves to tax money to advertise your own businesses, and you have set the way for a new era of union organization in Natchez.

Tourism Workers of the World Unite!

Posted by destiny (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Did the MDATD have valid reason to pull their support? Why was this not known sooner before voting day? As far as I can see even the state of Mississippi does not want to endorse Natchez, with matching funds. That leaves a BIG why in my book.

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Their reason, destiny, is that they feel like spending money on tourism this year is not a good use of money due to travel cost concerns, and due to the fact that Mississippi, like Natchez, is broke due to overspending.

Posted by Kaintuck (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This was a no-brainer: Natchez needed this. Jobs are evaporating from the United States like dew in the desert at high-noon. Thousands of struggling communities across this once great land would give anything to have the tourism theme that Natchez now, almost uniquely, has.

Those hoping for Wal*Mart, General Electric, Fruit of the Loom, Ford, GM or IBM to create jobs are deluded, unless they plan on moving to Mexico, India, Bangladesh or China. Fight the Hysterical Society and Natchez Tourism and watch what happens: Natchez will sadly begin to resemble the towns in the Delta. Oh Boy!

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Natchez has been supporting the tourism business for a long time. It is high time those individual businesses started supporting themselves. Let them pay what they expect others to pay on their behalf.

Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Enkikur, we all know you were against the tax, but the voters have voted this in. You keep talking about what should of happend or what could of been done. Well why don't you step up to the plate and run for office. You seem educated on your convictions, so put you money where your mouth (or text) is.

Posted by humorme (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

you know the old saying, those who can't, sit at their computer all day typing long winded yet incredibly informed blogs about the world that is happening around them.

Posted by Username (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sammohan-
My comment is not meant to be sickning. It's the TRUTH!
PLEASE tell me what else fills hotels in Natchez besides hurricane evacuees???
PLEASE TELL ME,so that I can get this 'sick' thought out of my head considering it's hurricane season again.

Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Username - Construction worker have been filling the hotels, people at conventions fill the hotels, tourists fill hotels. There are alot of people that fill hotels,

Posted by Username (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mike- THE ONLY TIME YOU CAN'T FIND A ROOM IN NATCHEZ IS DURING A HURRICANE EVACUATION AND THAT WAS BEFORE THE NEW MOTELS WERE BUILT JUST WAIT AND WATCH.

Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Username - Wrong, you ever tried to get a room balloon race weekend? DOES IT HELP WITH ALL CAPS?

Posted by Username (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why would I need to rent a room for a balloon race I can see out my window???
but NO my friends that come to Natchez every year for the balloon race have never had a problem getting a room in Natchez.
The ONLY thing that fills hotel/motel rooms in Natchez is Hurricane evacuees.This is FACT not some "glass half full half empty" theory.

Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Username - Why would you need a hotel in Natchez if you lived in Ntz? I can respond with a stupid questions too! This past year the workers where I work couldnt find a hotel on balloon race weekend and the days prior to the weekend. Thats a fact, and I know it b/c I was making the reservations.

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mike, the reason we have a democratic republic instead of a democracy is that the founders felt people were generally too ignorant to vote intelligently and that left to their own devices the people would vote for gifts for themselves whenever possible. Voting in this tax proves them right on both counts. Natchez will never have so golden an opportunity to make corporations pay back just a teeny little nickel per ten dollars that Natchez voters have squandered away. Natchez does not mind appearing desperate and begging; no, it is the vogue around here.

Posted by Bobaloo (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

up until this year with new hotel rooms, Balloon Race books up every year. Hopefully, that will remain the same but with more rooms filled.

Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mike and Bobaloo,
O. k. guys, listen to what you just said....Workers..Construction workers...They now will have to pay not only 10% lodging tax on a room, does not matter, cheap room, expensive room. The more expensive the more they pay because it is based on a percent. This new law is just straight across the board $2.00. Did you read my post earlier. The construction workers, the family here for a funeral, a class reunion, a wedding for a family member will now be forced to advertise for our city.....The balloon race is sold out to close visitors like....Jackson, McComb, Baton Rouge, who come here once a year, like it is coming home to them, well it's those guys who will pay the $$2.00.
Probably not more rooms booked....just the same people come every year, less locals. no new people, like I said, it is people coming home for the balloon race.

Posted by Username (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mike didn't you once tell me that you were working at the new prison?
If you want to argue I could say,why are all these people from Tenn. working the jobs that the locals could be doing?
But i'm not trying to cause conflict i'm just saying that NOTHING...no construction job or balloon race or music festival fills the rooms like the hurricane evacuees do.
Will this tax be waived for emergency puorposes or will F.E.M.A.(you the forced taxpayer) just cover the costs in the end??

Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

User - How many local contractors are there that specialize in correctional facilities? I mean come on, we have a few locals here, but this is a specialty trade. You can't expect a local contractor to know how to compete in this complex type of construction.

Whatabout it - I am with you all the way. I was against the flat rate 2$ tax b/c it hurts the little man more than anyone. If it would of been a 1% tax I could of gone along with it.

Posted by Username (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So you say building concentration camps with steel reinforced concrete walls is a "speciality trade" that needs other contractors that Mississippi simply cannot supply?
What is so complex about reading the plans/blueprints,that it takes out of state contractors to read them?
If that's the case we are in worse shape that I thought.

Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks Mike I am glad to see someone agrees with me and can see the sense or non-sense of this $2.00. The average man or woman that visits Natchez..... this Will affect them in and not in a positive way. Is there anything they can do now but just pay? No. But please come build our hotels, hospitals and prisons. Come greive your lost one so other rich tourist will come and make everyone here happy. We need jobs too you know.

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Isn't CCA a Tennessee company?

Posted by Username (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yes CCA is a private Tenn company and that is where the "complex" building plans were drawn up.
EnKiKur did you know that CCA prisions display the daily stock quote as you walk in the front entrance of the prisions?
They are selling a product and that is why I have a BIG problem with Jake Middleton wanting to "parternership" with CCA.

Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

it has always seemed funny how our local contractors go to other towns to build while other towns come here to build. Always seemed to have been that way. Or maybe just maybe some people are willing to go and do a job rather than letting the govt. pay their way in life. It really does not matter as long as the job gets done. Maybe it has something to do with bids. Now I am one for buying local, but sometimes the local contractors bids are just too high. So they will go out of town, pay for a room in some other town. That is just the way it is. But username you already new that didn't you.?

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have the very same problem with that Username. CCA has a long and sordid history. And these public/private partnerships are just a bad idea in themselves.

Natchez schools are set up to produce a good supply of both prisoners and prison guards. Is it any wonder CCA chose to locate here?

And think about this. We are getting ready to spend big money on the Forks of the Road site to promote heritage tourism. Part of the heritage tourism crowd in this country are a type of person traditionally thought to be dangerous to white values...the Highly Aware and Very Intelligent black person who is going to drive into town seeing gangs of young black and hispanic men in prison garb doing cleanup work. These same visitors are going to know that our mass incarceration policies have put an inordinate number of blacks and hispanics into prisons; do you think these new visitors are going to feel welcomed by that sight?

Posted by Username (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

whataboutit- when the prison industrial complex are the ones supplying the jobs isn't that the govt. paying the way??? the govt. makes the laws that puts people into private prisions and send the stocks to record high prices the govt.workers (lawmakers)are some of the stock holders in these private prisions.

Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

EKK, you just look for the bad in everything. Have you a positive bone or thought? I think there are "blacks" and "hispanics in every town in the south. Your point is exactly what? Never mind. This is about the $2.00 fee passing anyway. Sometime though people just have to get out of bed and just say "it is going to be a good day, and I will only think positive thoughts" Sound korny????You really should try it. We may see a difference in your post!

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What in the heck are you talking about whataboutit? What is your reading comprehension level? Its clear you did not understand what I said at all. Start over; get Hooked on Phonics and then work your way up. Pay special attention to what the writer is saying instead of paying special attention to what you have decided beforehand the writer is saying.

Take this short passage for example:
We looked! Then we saw him step in on the mat!
We looked! And we saw him! The Cat in the Hat!

In this passage, the writer is saying that someone (we) watched a cat in a hat step on a mat.

The writer is not condemning the cat, the hat, or the mat.

With a little practice you can develop this same high level of comprehension, but it will take a little work. As you read, just ask yourself "what does this sentence say?"

Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I will only make one other post on this topic and I quote form you "And think about this. We are getting ready to spend big money on the Forks of the Road site to promote heritage tourism. Part of the heritage tourism crowd in this country are a type of person traditionally thought to be dangerous to white values...the Highly Aware and Very Intelligent black person who is going to drive into town seeing gangs of young black and hispanic men in prison garb doing cleanup work. These same visitors are going to know that our mass incarceration policies have put an inordinate number of blacks and hispanics into prisons; do you think these new visitors are going to feel welcomed by that sight?"

What does that sentence say...please tell me....I have no level of comprehension..you ja

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The whole paragraph says heritage tourists are not going to be happy seeing members of their ethnic group doing forced labor in a southern town knowing that social policies favor incarcerating their ethnic group at a much higher per capita rate than other groups.

Posted by Username (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

whataboutit- will you please answer my question to you in my comment above at 4:23pm since you said that some people would rather do a job than let the government pay their way in life.

Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I meant the govt. paying for people to sit on their asses. Is it a private company that is building the prison or the govt.
My original comment was just meant to say that at least those people are trying to do real labor and that the contractors around here usually bid higher than out of towners. Then EKK come up with this crap about heritage tourist which absoulutley had nothing to do with what I was talking about. But it has recently been brought to my attention that I am the one who needs to start over with getting hooked on phonics. So why are you so concerned with my comment on that, you were not concerned with my other comments Username. Since you know it all you may consider changing your "username" to knowitall.

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is a combination of private company and government building the prison whataboutit. That is because CCA gets tax incentives taken from the people to help fund its operations.

Posted by Username (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

lol...knowitall
it is a private/government partnership
and now you have let EnKiKur get you upset with a little "truth hurts" and you can't even answer a simple question with logic.
and also i'm so concerned with your comment on that (and not others)because you were talking to me,you addressed my "username" in your comment that I refered to.

Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Any way who gives a ----if the heritage tourist is happy.. or not? Are you really worried about any tourist?Are tourist every happy? What about our White History? Will it make the Sons of Confederate happy when he comes to town that has turned its' back on them? Just because his great great great grandfater was a owner of a farm and heck maybe didnt even have any slaves. And besides they have $2.00 too. Any town, city, or country there will be prisons, prisoners of all colors.

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The Sons of the Confederacy, who used to hold cross burnings out at the ballfield at the end of the road in Duncan Park and on the steps of city hall have been unhappy for a long time. They've gotten used to it.

Unfortunately for the social order you advocate whataboutit, these heritage tourists have money to spend that speaks louder than lost wars.

Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks EKK I really did not understand that this company was that way.

Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

But is it not funny that to hear them they have nothing, nothing, nothing, no money, no houses (but they got cars)

Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Username - How many companies are their in Natchez that custom make security electronic cabinets and interfaces? How many pre-cast concrete fabricators are their in Natchez? We have about 200 electricians on site here, which is more than any electrical contractor has here in town. You know any non-lethal stun fence fabricators and installers in Natchez - Didn't think so.
I know you don't have any idea what goes into "concentration camps" as you call them. So let me tell you they are very complicated and have very sophisticated electronics in them. And there is no display of stock quotes here anywhere, you are spreading rumors that have no truth.

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 5:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe not here yet mike, but there are at other working CCA prisons.

How many local tradesmen were hired by out of town contractors mike? That is the point. We do have people capable of building forms, stringing wire and fence, digging ditches, etc.

How many jobs for the local community did CCA create in this construction?

Posted by Username (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mike-why all the tech stuff for such ignorant people?
sounds like overkill if you look at it like that.
and wait till the doors open you'll see that stock quote
and also you better get to work and work hard and extra hours before some inmate gets your job.

Posted by humorme (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

go outside and take a breath of fresh air.

Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Edgin, Premo Stallone, Jordan Kaiser, Redd Pest Control, Blain Paving and Dozer Incs are the ones I can think of off hand. I am not including the local construction supply stores.

Posted by Username (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

oh yeah,without the overkill you would not have this job.

Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Username I hate to bust your bubble, but I am from Natchez and have worked for local (Natchez) and national contractors. The majority of this work could not be done by local contractors. You don't believe me call them yourself. Tell me one local contractor that could work here that isn't - seriously.

Posted by Username (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 6:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mike-you didn't bust a bubble here I knew you are from Natchez you have told me that in the past.
but you're right when a company designs something that can "only" be built by the designers who does that leave to build it? the designers.It's a circle a select circle of planners,designers and construction companies.

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am glad to hear some local people are getting some work out of it. I am really surprised to hear that they are.

Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

User - I'm not following your last post. How about this for a comparision. Somebody gets diagnosed with skin cancer, who do they go to - a specialist. Why, b/c he specializes in that work. You wouldn't go to a peditrician b/c not all doctors treat all problems.
The same is with contractors, some specialize in specific trades. We have a contractor from Pennsylvania that makes our cells, there are only a few of these contractors in the U.S. Its a very detailed trade that if not done correctly is VERY expensive and time consuming. I know you have probably never put alot of thought into what goes into a prison, but your average contractor simply has no experience with this.
And would you admit that you CCA does not post stock values at the entrance to their prisons? Thats completely untrue.

Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Enk don't let me mislead you, the majority of the work is done by out of town people, but a good bit of the common work items is being done locally. There are just too many specialty contractors required for this job.

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey mike, I've seen the photos on the web and on news reports on tv.

Here is what private prisons are about:

"Weapons manufacturers see both public and private prisons as a new outlet for "defense" technology, such as electronic bracelets and stun guns. Private transport companies have lucrative contracts to move prisoners within and across state lines; health care companies supply jails with doctors and nurses; food service firms provide prisoners with meals. High-tech firms are also moving into the field; the Que-Tel Corp. hopes for vigorous sales of its new system whereby prisoners are bar coded and guards carry scanners to monitor their movements. Phone companies such as AT&T chase after the enormously lucrative prison business."

Bar codes on prisoners? Who had that idea before? Private prisons are about making money off of storing people. CCA has a very ugly history, both of prisoner abuse and of buying influence, as in Honey Alexanders' five thousand dollar investment that returned one hundred thirty thousand dollars. CCA is not a good neighbor, one of their favorite tricks is reclassifying medium security prisoners as minimum so they can be held in minimum security facilities.

Of course, none of that will matter here. What matters here is the dollar, the dollar, the dollar. Praise be the dollar.

Posted by Username (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 6:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This reminds me of that company that makes the satellite shooting missiles.They are the same company that makes satellites that the missiles shoot.
and NO I will not say that CCA does not display the daily stock quote at the front entrance because they do CXW and GEO display daily stock quotes on prison grounds. just because you have not seen it don't doubt it please.
I know people that have worked for CCA and I know people that have built CCA prisions and I know people that own stock in CXW and I have talked with people that have done time in CCA prisions.
I know that you don't want to accept the fact that you work for/with one of the most evil companies in the country today.
do you a little google research about Tulia,TX that was a small town that CCA took over in the late 90's and NOTHING good has come out of it except the acceptance of corruption.
And how about this for comparision if a tree falls in the woods and nobody is around to hear it does it make a sound?that's what i compare your special intrest doctor theroy to.

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

EnKiKur, you said "Private prisons are about making money off of storing people" and "What matters here is the dollar, the dollar, the dollar."

There. See, we can agree once in a while. You often write some good points. And I worry about outsourced prisons as well as outsourced armies.

But you let your emotion get away with you on this particular tax issue. The public voted properly on it. My most humble opinion, of course.

Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't speak for CCA, but I can speak out for Mike...he's right...Natchez just doesn't have enough specialty contractors and subcontractors with experience in the detention field of construction...I've done detention work as an architect and it is very highly specialized and requires specialization of the contractors in many cases.

I find it hard to believe that stock quotes are displayed in the entrance of any prison facility...in the COO's office, maybe, to remind him to look at the bottom line, but who else is really gonna want to know or be able to see it?...you don't just walk into the entry foyer of a medium security prison...oh, and by the way...Mike has seen the plans, duh!

Which brings up another point...the prisoners at CCA will not be working in Natchez picking up trash, cutting grass, etc...they are too much of a risk...they are the state prisoners who were just able to avoid Parchman, but weren't considered low-risk...low-risk prisoners are housed in local county prisons...they are the one's who do the community service work...Jake is wrong on the partnership deal, it can't happen legally.

Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

EnK...et al...I will agree that the tax should have been a percentage based tax to make it more fair, but we needed to take what we could get in order to do the best we could for Natchez in this case...no law or tax is perfect.

Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 8:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well Enk, you are against CCA, you are against Rentech. Is their any company out there that gets a passing grade and can work here in Natchez? Why don't we just tell Rentech to go to China, they would take them with arms open. Lets build no more prisons or let the fed take care of it. Drive over to Pollock, La and look at the Federal facility there. The new addition has been completed for 14 months and it still has no prisoners. Why? The Federal govt says no funding. Why are you so against getting new jobs in Natchez?

Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Seems like mistakes are possibly being made already from what I hear?

Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mike...where is Pollock LA?...I pass what looks like a finished prison, except for the fencing and concertina, I think it's near Slidell, or maybe Hammond.

Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok User, I may have an idea where you are spinning this story from about the display of stock quotes. Are you refering to the fact that the prison has Television and it displays the stock market? If that is what you mean, there are televisions in prison, and depending on the facility they may have cable. And if the warden may lets them watch the stock exchange where CCA is traded, then they can see CCA stock if they know what it is. But there is NO display at any exterior of ANY building that shows ANY of CCA stocks. PERIOD. And No I don't work for CCA, I work for a contractor here in Natchez along with about 500 other people.

Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)

rushinghjr...give it a chance to work before you flame it...I made a statement, please don't use it to try to sink the marketing campaign before it starts...just 'cause I said something don't make it a mistake...or maybe I'm presumptuous thinking it was my statement you were talking about...if that's the case, never mind...LOL.

Posted by sparky018 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How about yall getting into a chatroom? The $2 passed and that is that. What makes me mad is the fact that it will not help out the county where alot of tourists seem to go also. I live in the county and there are alot of old homes out this way as well.

Posted by Username (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mike please take time to watch this video.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yXOHtlvO9jI

Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 9:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sam, Pollock is North of Alexandria. Its a Federal Prison that had an addition complete about 14 months ago that added about 50% more capacity. The new addition is still not in use today.

Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 9:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sparky...the county will benefit by the influx of people to see Natchez...they won't all go to the same places...if you want to grouse about being left out in the county, move into the City...you're trying to have your cake and eat it too...maybe the county should do something similar...talk to your supervisor.

Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mike...it's a federal prison and not a CCA or otherwise privately owned correctional facility?

Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yes sam

Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

User - 2 problems with that video:
1. The opening line Danny Glover explains how the courts were handing down too hard of sentences. How can you say judges are handing down too hard of a sentence? They broke the law they serve the time.

2. I kept hearing the people being interviewed saying the privte prisons were regulating how people were treated. They follow the same rules and regulations that federal & State prisons follow.

If you have a moral issue with prisons I do understand. But you are attacking the private prison which is doing what the govt can't do - supplying prisons for the growing prison population. America has a much larger prison population b/c people aren't scared to go. Think about a prison in Mexico vs America. We treat our prisoners very good, thus they aren't scared to go.

Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 10:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Look at the prison in Woodville, it has provided many jobs for an almost dead town

Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Very well stated Mike.

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 5, 2008 at 3:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mike, just where do you think the money for keeping prisoners comes from? It comes from the taxpayers! The federal government is supporting private prisons because so many legislators have money invested in them!

The private prisons are parasites paid for by taxpayers. That same money could, and has been in the past used to by government to build and run prisons.

Also, for some time CCA operated as a REIT, with big tax breaks for doing so. CCA is just more flimflammery on the public so corrupt politicians and thier friends can benefit. That is the definitive word on it. It is irrefutable.

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 5, 2008 at 3:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mike, on Rentech. Rentech is a product of artificial price controls and in the long run cannot stand. It is a product of a specualtive bubble. The real value of oil per barrel is about fifteen to twenty dollars. Synthetic fuel costs about twenty five dollars per barrel. In the long run it will not work.

I know this statement will bring vast protest about how we are running out of oil, how it costs so much because of the environmentalists and scarcity and all that horsehockey.

But, if all of you will recall, when the Bush held his energy policy meetings all the heads of the oil companies attended, and the policy was never made public. If one assumes that the heads of the oil companies know anything about oil and can predict demand and supply for an eight year period, then one must assume that the high oil prices we see today are the result of that plan. The only other thing to assume is that the vast research resources of energy companies are shooting in the dark.

One of the energy plan attendees was Enron. Enron was operating an artificial economy, a structure based on fraud and specualtion many major banks and investment houses took part in. Rentech is based on an artificial economy with a structure of speculation based on environmental fraud. If Rentech is viable, why aren't Exxon and Shell money pouring into it? Why isn't the plant up and running already?

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 5, 2008 at 3:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

From GO Zone money to other tax incentives, to heavy investment of public funds, CCA is taxpayer supported to the benefit of its shareholders. It is not saving anyone any money, but diverting public money into private hands:

"WASHINGTON (AFP) — Financiers, real-estate agents and car salesmen might be suffering from America's economic malaise, but bulging jails have triggered a profit boom for corrections companies.

The United States leads the world in the number of people it incarcerates and government figures show the country's prison population grew by three percent to a record 2.3 million inmates in 2006.

Harsher sentencing policies have put more criminals behind bars and prison management firms such as the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and The GEO Group are racing to build new jails or expand existing facilities to house more convicted felons."

"CCA Prison Realty received notice that underwriters have exercised the entire over-allotment option of 2,775,000 additional common shares, selling a total of 21.3 million shares at $21 per share. Managing underwriters for the offering were J.C. Bradford & Co.; A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.; Legg Mason Wood Walker, Inc.; Lehman Brothers, Inc.; Paine Webber, Inc.; and Stephens Inc."

"Pension funds California Public Employees' Retirement System, New York State Common Retirement Fund and New York City Pension Fund System say they will vote against Corrections Corp of America's planned $2 billion merger with sister company, CCA Prison Realty Trust; move comes about week after AFL-CIO urged investors to vote against merger; investors argue merger favors executives, led by Doctor Crants, chairman of both companies, over shareholders"

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 5, 2008 at 4:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Man, you guys are amazing. The collateral for the money CCA borrows is people...the prisoners. Because so many are making so much money off the prisoners there is a lot of incentive to make more prisoners.

Just like the slaves of the old south were bound to the land and served as collateral, the prisoners are bound to the prisons and serve as collateral.

The social system of the old south ran the plantation economy, the social system of the US runs the private prison economy.

What happens when CCA goes bankrupt? What happened in the south after the war and the economy was destroyed?

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 5, 2008 at 4:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And Sam, the stock quotes are posted at the gates to the prisons because employees are encouraged to keep an eye on the bottom line. Such as three rolls of toilet paper per two weeks. Such as reusing clothing from one prisoner to another. And many other such cost cutting measures...in one CCA prisoners 250 prisoners were assigned as dormitory monitors to save the cost of putting them into rehabilitation programs.

I know about the posting of stock quotes because I have seen the photographs and I have seen them on television documentaries about CCA.