The day belonged to Dr. Melvin Wright when the Jackson City Council held its April meeting Tuesday at City Hall.

“He is just a foundation of our city … a stabilizing force,” Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist said. “He has always been an advocate, and he has never said ‘no’ when he has been asked to serve.”

Gist and Jimmy Harris, the mayor of Madison County, proclaimed April 4, “Dr. Melvin Wright Day,” because of Dr. Wright’s 50 years of service as a physician, community leader, city council member and educator.

“This community has allowed me to do the things I have always dreamed of as being a part of this community,” Dr. Wright said. “They have accepted me in all phases of this community. I have enjoyed it especially when I was president of Rotary, president of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce on the board of BancorpSouth.”

Dr. Wright also served with other organizations that included Goals for Jackson, the Jackson Symphony Association, Tennessee State Board of Education, United Way and the Board of Trustees of the Western Mental Health Institute.

“This has just been a lovely community, and I have had a very nice time and enjoyed practicing dentistry,” Dr. Wright said. “I thought I had quit … If my health will allow – another year and I’ll call it quits.”

“I’m trying to move the office into a new location and get a young person to come in to take it over.”

Proclamations also included Public Safety Communications Week; Sexual Assault Awareness Month; Equal Pay Day and Library Week.

The City Council also approved the Surplus Property Sale of 241 E. Deaderick St., to REB Holdings for $30,000.
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