Optimism from 2017 carried over into 2018 when Jerry Gist, mayor of the City of Jackson, and Jimmy Harris, the mayor of Madison County addressed the First Friday Forum at First United Methodist Church, Friday.

Sponsored by the Jackson Downtown Development Corporation, Gist said the event is one of his highlights as Mayor of Jackson.

“Each year this city continues to grow and prosper,” Gist said. “Good things – like sales tax revenue, our economy and jobs – continue to grow.
“Bad things – like major crimes – continue to decline.”

Sales tax revenues increased 4.1 percent – $2.9 million for the last fiscal year, with $2.1 million of the extra funds being allocated to local schools.

“Over the last three years, we have seen our crime rate decrease 11 percent,” Gist said. “Homicides are in steady decline … 13 in 2012, nine in 2015, seven homicides in 2016 and 2017.”

Robberies continue to decline – 226 in 2012, to 85 in 2016, and 79 in 2017.

“We attribute this decline to 200 vigilant police officers who follow community policing to connect with our residents, 35 high-profile surveillance cameras across the city (and) citizens who cooperate with police to solve crimes.”

Gist said the Jackson Fire Department answered 4,330 fire, hazard, medical and rescue calls in 2017 – an average of 12 per day.

“Investments in our in infrastructure, transportation, education and quality of life are critical to our economic development growth,” Gist said. “In 2017, local industry added nearly 1,000 jobs (and) local industry (Stanley Black and Decker, Toyota Bokoshu Tennessee, Metal Technologies and Toyota Bodine) announced $202 million in investments.”

The unemployment rate – 3.5 percent for Madison County – is down, and tourism – a four percent growth in 2017 – is up.

Gist said transportation is an important part of improving the city’s infrastructure continues with the improvement of Jackson’s streets and highways.

Improvement includes work at the U.S. Highway 45 Bypass, Casey Jones Lane and Carriage House Drive.

“TDOT (Tennessee Department of Transportation) also started to widen Interstate 40 through Jackson from four to six lanes,” Gist said. “The first phase will go west of Exit 79 to Exit 85.”

Included are revisions to the interchanges at the Bypass and North Highland Avenue.

Gist also added construction at the Roundabout and North Highland Avenue and Deaderick Streets began in October 2017, and should be completed in late fall of 2018, and Dr. F. E. Wright Drive will be widened from two to four lanes.

Former school buildings and First Responders were among the subjects Jimmy Harris discussed.

“If you remember, when the school system implemented the Vision 20/20 plan, four County school buildings were abandoned, and one City school building,” Harris said. “The challenge for our community was what to do with these abandoned buildings.”

Harris said West Elementary is being utilized as the main office for the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, Nova Elementary is a Pre-K program, a portion of Beech Bluff Elementary is now a community center, Lane College is utilizing a portion of the former Jackson Central-Merry campus.

Harris said a plans for the former Malesus Elementary School building have not developed.
“I always want to talk a little about our Madison County Volunteer Fire Department,” Harris said. “We have 17 fire stations across the county, all of which were built and paid for by the people who live in those communities.

“Please remember, whenever you see a Madison County Fireman or a Madison County Medical First Responder on a call, they have left their home, family, work or church to give aid or assist someone in our community without receiving any pay.”

Bullet points Harris used to sum up his address were –
Dr. Eric Jones, superintendent of the Jackson-Madison County School System “Is a proven leader – the right man in the right place at the right time.”

Good, steady job growth and existing industry is healthy and growing with several expansions in process.

A Healthcare industry that continues to grow and improve.

A commercial and residential base that continues to expand.

Sales taxes and hotel motel tax remain very strong.

A tourism industry that continues to grow and thrive.

“I believe the state of our County, and our community, is on sound footing with a bright future ahead,” Harris said. “I believe we live in one of the best communities in the United States, and I appreciate you allowing me to serve as Madison County Mayor.”

(PHOTO: Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist talks with Erica Coleman following First Friday Forum)

David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
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