 |
Frank Melton | |
|---|---|
 Melton at a Democratic political rally in Jackson | |
| Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi | |
| In office July 4, 2005 – May 7, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Harvey Johnson Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Leslie B. McLemore (interim) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 19, 1949 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | May 7, 2009 (aged 60) Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Ellen Melton |
Frank Ervin Melton (March 19, 1949 – May 7, 2009)[1] was the mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, United States, from 4 July 2005 until his death on 7 May 2009. Melton, an African American, defeated the city's first black mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr. Melton won 63 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary against Johnson, who had served two terms. Melton quickly swept into action to rid Jackson of drug-related crime, improve economic development, and improve city infrastructure. Since Melton became mayor, he touted economic-development projects totaling over $1.6 billion, creating at least 4,500 jobs in the city. Others pointed out that many of those projects were in the works when he started in office. He was embroiled in several controversies during his tenure, including questionable power breaches and criminal misdemeanor activity.
- ^ Mohr, Holbrook (May 7, 2009). "Jackson, Miss., mayor dies after losing primary". Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 17, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2009.