The Jackson Free Press Editorial, 1/9/8
Mayor Frank Melton’s fainting session at Monday’s county inaugural event was the latest warning he needs to heed: It is time for him to retire as mayor of Jackson. It would also be a good idea for him to return to Tyler, Texas, where his wife is an esteemed physician—pediatrician, but still—who can look after him and help him do what he needs to do—and stop doing what he shouldn’t—in order to improve his health.
A long-time heavy drinker and smoker, the mayor is dangerous to himself, other police officers and the citizens of Jackson—whether he is leading his dog, Abby, into the middle of traffic to randomly search vehicles in West Jackson (while police scramble to get there to back him up); imbibing too much liquor before strapping on guns or getting behind the wheel of his car; rushing into private homes in the middle of the night without a warrant because a neighbor said the residents sell pot; stopping a school bus on a busy interstate to get him some hugs; destroying a schizophrenic’s home, confident that his enablers can help him get around anything he does; or constantly creating the stress of potential arrest or indictment by ignoring laws.
Magnolia Tribune
