Pubdate: Fri, 09 Jan 2004
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
Copyright: 2004 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html
Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805
Author: Andy Kanengiser

MELTON EXPECTED TO BE OUT AS MBN CHIEF

Lawmakers say they expect Gov.-elect Haley Barbour to name a replacement 
for Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director Frank Melton.

Barbour has scheduled a 9:30 a.m. news conference today to announce more 
appointments. He will make three more appointments, said George Schloegel, 
who co-chairs Barbour's transition team. Schloegel would not say if 
director of the MBN will be among them.

Melton, chief of MBN since December 2002, would not confirm Thursday that 
he is being replaced or that he had submitted his resignation, as Barbour 
has required of all at-will-and -pleasure employees.

"Out of respect for the voters of the state of Mississippi and out of 
respect for the office of governor, I won't have any other comment to make 
until (Barbour) makes his announcement," Melton said.

Lawmakers said former U.S. Attorney George Phillips was the leading 
candidate for MBN. Phillips could not be reached.

State Auditor Phil Bryant remembers the work Phillips did in the U.S. 
attorney's office and believes he would perform well if named MBN director.

"(Phillips) is a great guy and a man of integrity," Bryant said.

Sen. Bunky Huggins, R-Greenwood, said he has heard Phillips is being 
considered and believes Phillips has the skills the office needs.

"Phillips brings a lot of experience as a U.S. attorney," Huggins said. As 
chief of the Bureau of Narcotics he will have to work with federal 
narcotics people in New Orleans and other places, and he's familiar with 
them, Huggins said. "He's got a good shot at it."

Phillips, who has been working with Barbour's transition team, is best 
known for prosecuting dozens of county supervisors charged in a kickback 
scheme dubbed Operation Pretense.

When Phillips was in office he praised Melton, who has spent many of his 
years in Jackson dealing with troubled youths, for Melton's involvement in 
the war on drugs.

Melton, longtime WLBT-Channel 3 chief executive officer known for his 
Bottom Line broadcasts, has come under criticism by some for his unorthodox 
approach as narcotics chief, such as participating in roadblocks outside 
the Capitol to check driver's licenses while a helicopter provided 
surveillance overhead.

Others say his tough stance on crime and what they said were successful 
efforts to go after Jackson street gangs merit praise.

Several lawmakers say they're sorry to hear talk that Melton may be leaving 
the agency.

"Frank Melton did an exceptional job for the state," said Rep. George 
Flaggs Jr., D-Vicksburg. "It's (Barbour's) call. If he makes a change, I 
will live with it."

Melton deserves to stay for a job well done, said Rep. Jim Evans, 
D-Jackson. "Frank made neighborhoods safe," Evans said. "Our No. 1 problem 
in Mississippi is narcotics. I thought Frank Melton did a No. 1 job."

Also, a number of lawmakers are predicting Barbour will tap J.K. "Hoopy" 
Stringer Jr. to lead the department of finance and administration; and Don 
Taylor, former director of the state Department of Human Services, to 
return to the DHS post he held under former Republican Gov. Kirk Fordice.

Stringer is an excellent choice to be state fiscal officer because "he 
knows the budget, and the biggest expense is personnel," Huggins said.

Taylor, a Crystal Springs resident, has said he wanted Barbour to consider 
him for the DHS post.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman