Jackson to face possible DEQ fine

The Clarion-Ledger, 9/16/7

The city of Jackson could be fined as a result of Mayor Frank Melton ordering four vacant homes to be burned down last year without permission from the state.

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has been in discussions with Melton and City Attorney Sarah O’Reilly-Evans over issues related to the houses on Congo Street near Lanier High School the mayor burned in August 2006.

DEQ had only authorized Jackson to tear down the houses. But Melton at the time said burning the blighted properties was cheaper. Tearing them down would have cost up to $3,500 apiece.