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.