Latest news with #Horhn
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jackson Mayor John Horhn scraps Lumumba-era park plan at property linked to bribery case
A vacant stretch of concrete in Downtown Jackson once earmarked for a skate park, pickleball and volleyball courts, a community stage and other public amenities will no longer be developed as "The Pulse at Farish Street." Instead, Mayor John Horhn plans to tear up and improve the site — now a crumbling, weed-filled, make-shift parking lot across from the Jackson Convention Complex — and convert it to a functional, upgraded parking area for visitors to the convention center. "We think there's a better use for that property," Horhn said in a phone interview Monday. "So our plans are to convert the funds that have been dedicated to The Pulse to the demolition, which is underway. Then we'll come back with a parking opportunity for folks that are patronizing the convention center." The move represents a sharp pivot from a proposal made just months ago under former Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and then-Planning and Development Director Jhai Keeton. That plan, unveiled in January, envisioned a three-phase development on the 7.75-acre site including a vendor park, pavilions, food truck space, and a leisure district with open-container alcohol rules. It came on the heels of a major federal bribery indictment tied to the site involving Lumumba, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and former Councilman Aaron Banks — all of whom pleaded not guilty to a combined 17 felony charges. A trial is set for July 13, 2026. At the heart of the charges was a proposed convention center hotel that undercover FBI agents claimed they were interested in developing at the site. Federal prosecutors allege the three officials accepted illicit payments, favors and political contributions in exchange for helping advance the agents' bogus real estate company and sway decisions at City Hall. What happened to the Siemens settlement: Federal judge seeks answers on where funds in Jackson, MS, $89.8M Siemens settlement went The site — bordered by Pearl and Pascagoula streets — has sat largely unused since the Jackson Convention Complex opened in 2009. Since the Convention Complex's debut, the lot has bounced from one development dream to another — first a hotel, then a leisure park, and now, a more modest facelift. The latest decision follows visible movement on the site in recent weeks, including a large pile of torn-up cement that suggested imminent construction. The repaving project will require approval from the Jackson City Council, but Horhn said he's confident he'll have the votes needed. "We're going to have to get the City Council to agree to an amendment because they approved the Pulse project prior to us coming into office," Horhn said. "But we don't think it will be that difficult to achieve." The council had already approved $1.5 million for The Pulse, with an additional $600,000 slated from community development block grant funds. Originally, Lumumba and Keeton said the Pulse could generate $800,000 in its first year. Dale Partners Architects PA, the firm originally hired to design The Pulse after council approval in February, may now have an uncertain future. The firm was under contract to develop plans for the project, but with Horhn's decision to scrap The Pulse, it's unclear what will happen next for Dale Partners and their involvement in future development. Keeton, who led the project rollout under the Lumumba administration, is no longer the city's planning director. Horhn recently announced that Von Anderson, who served as interim spokesman on Horhn's transition team, has been named interim director of the planning department. As of this week, it's unclear whether Keeton remains employed by the City of Jackson. Contact Charlie Drape at cdrape@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS Mayor Horhn scraps park project tied to Lumumba bribery case
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.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State lawmakers support John Horhn as next Jackson mayor
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – State lawmakers are backing Mayor-elect John Horhn to lead the City of Jackson. House leadership expressed interest in working with a new mayor before Horhn was elected. Horhn served more than 30 years in the State Senate, which has given him the opportunity to build relationships with lawmakers. The mayor-elect said he will use his connections to hopefully bring improvements to the City of Jackson. Mayor-elect John Horhn discusses plans for capital city 'I believe there will be a strong renew partnership between the City of Jackson leadership and state leaders. I believe that many of the partnerships that we have seen, that seem to have eroded over the last few years. I think that all of those relationships will be rebuilt and maintained under the leadership of Mayor Horhn,' said Senate Minority Leader Derrick T. Simmons (D-District 12). 'We're excited about new leadership for the City of Jackson and what that may afford, a relationship with the state that is more positive and better for all Mississippians,' House Speaker Jason White (R-Miss.). Simmons attributed Horhn's experience working in the legislature and solving problems for cities and towns will make him a great mayor. 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.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mayor-elect John Horhn discusses plans for capital city
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Mayor-elect John Horhn outlined his top priorities for the City of Jackson. At the top of the list is the city's budget. Horhn is also focused on restoring trust with residents, as well as building relationships with the county, state and federal government. 'I think we will begin to address those kinds of restorations by putting a good team of people together,' he said. Horhn said each of those relationships has been fractured, but he wants to restore them on his first day as mayor. Mississippians turn out for 2025 municipal elections 'The county has had a an interlocal agreement sitting on the mayor's desk for several years that the mayor (Chokwe A. Lumumba) would not sign, for whatever reason. It would allow the county to come in and bring more resources to pave streets, to repair. And so, we're going to sign that that interlocal agreement on day one,' Horhn stated. He believes the relationship between the city and the state needs the most attention. House Speaker Jason White recently said the state wants to be a willing partner with the city. 'We're excited about new leadership for the City of Jackson and what that may afford a relationship with the state that is more positive and better for all Mississippians,' White said. According to Horhn, he's had good conversations with leadership in the legislature, saying they want to help. 'We've had very productive conversations with the leadership of the Senate, leadership of the House, and even a call from the governor saying, 'We want to try to help the City of Jackson become the city that we all want it to be,'' Horhn said. He wants to leverage those relationships to try and get some work done. 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.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
When will special election for John Horhn's Senate seat take place?
Mayor-Elect John Horhn will be moving his office furniture and other belongings into Jackson's City Hall on July 1, but he also will be leaving a seat unfilled in the Mississippi Senate. On Tuesday, June 3, Horhn earned a decisive mayoral victory in this year's Jackson municipal election. Overall, he beat out opponents, including incumbent Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, three times before finally being the last one standing. That means the state's 26th Senate District will have a special election later this year. Horhn's Senate district includes areas in both North Jackson and portions of Madison County, reaching as far north as just outside of Flora. It also extends west to Bolton and Edwards. Horhn wins: State Sen. John Horhn is Jackson's next mayor, with dominating win Gov. Tate Reeves will have 30 days after Horhn leaves his Senate position to call the special election, and counties where the election will take place must be given 60-days' notice before the election. Reeves had already called for other legislative seats to be filled earlier this year. Those were former Sen. Jenifer Branning, who was elected to the Mississippi Supreme Court in 2024, and for two House members who died last year. As for when the Senate District 26 special election would be, if Reeves was to wait the full 30 days to announce it, it would put the election around early September. He could also set it for November, when other special legislative elections are slated to take place. Live election coverage: John Horhn dominates Jackson, MS mayor's race. Ward 1 too close to call. Follow live updates It is a bit early for candidates to be jumping in the water and going after Horhn's Senate seat, but there are a few hopefuls within the state Democratic Party. Democratic Party Chairman Cheikh Taylor said a handful of people are potentially interested in running for Horhn's Senate seat, including local attorneys, activists and a former lawmaker. Taylor declined to say specifically who he had in mind. As for a Republican challenger to the seat, the district itself could prove a hard nut to crack. Horhn, and by extension the Democrats, have held onto the Senate district for at least the past two decades since Horhn first entered the office. Hinds County Republican Party Executive Committee member and former Director Pete Perry said it would be a hard task to find a GOP candidate to duke it out with a strong Democratic candidate, but the party would still look to ID people to compete. "It would be very difficult to (run as a Republican) in that district," Perry said, noting that the legislative district, much like others, is drawn based on voting population demographics. District 26, is a majority Black district. Perry also said that while he hasn't heard of any concrete bids for the Senate seat, candidates will soon be coming out of the woodwork. Grant McLaughlin covers the Legislature and state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@ or 972-571-2335 This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: When is special election for John Horhn's Senate District 26 seat?
