JFP sez "Two Lakes" dev. working the Rankin political scene

From Jackson Free Press: Jackson, Mississippi - Noise - City/County - Politics - Two Lakes Supporters Helped Finance Defeat of Pearl Mayor:

Fans of a controversial plan to develop the Pearl River had better luck installing a pro-"Two Lakes" mayor in the little town of Pearl than in the state's capital city this month. The Jackson Free Press today discovered that oilman and "Two Lakes" developer John McGowan's company, as well as several engineers who have worked with McGowan Working Partners, gave thousands of dollars to the campaign of Republican Alderman Brad Rogers, who defeated Mayor Jimmy Foster in the May 5 primary. Foster was on record as an opponent to McGowan's ambitious development project that the developer says will provide the best flood control for the Pearl River.

Rogers' campaign-finance report, requested Thursday by the Jackson Free Press and faxed today by the Pearl city clerk's office, shows that at least $5,500 came from McGowan and associates, and reveals that several of Rogers' donors also gave money in April to the Better Jackson PAC, which did not file any campaign reports prior to the mayoral runoff election in Jackson, as revealed last week by the Jackson Free Press. Voters learned three hours before the polls closed, through the Jackson Free Press, that McGowan had given $6,000 to the secretive Better Jackson PAC, and his "dear friends" in the Pruett Oil family had given several thousand more. He told the JFP later that he regretted donating to the PAC.

Next, I'll check out who else is actually working on this story, to the degree that the FreeP has. This is some very interesting, money-folo journalism here. Here's the developers' own site re: Two Lakes.

And the CL is busy on the McGowan front, too -- from Residents wary of development | clarionledger.com | The Clarion-Ledger:

Northeast Jackson residents say the city’s resolve to limit risky development in the Pearl River flood plain is facing one of its biggest tests.

Oil man John McGowan, already turned down once in his attempts to develop 140 acres at the east end of Meadowbrook Road, is seeking approval again.

Wow, I have a lot to read this weekend! ;)