Standing up for JACKSON!

From the CLARION LEDGER-Gov. Haley Barbour is pushing for the Department of Revenue to relocate from Clinton to the Landmark Center in downtown Jackson.

In a letter sent to lawmakers recently, Barbour said the location would save money and help support the capital city.

"Recent statistics show that Jackson's vacancy rate is approximately 27 percent - a figure too large to ignore," he wrote. "Leasing the Landmark Center will be an economic boost to Jackson by keeping the building on the city's tax rolls, as well as supporting growth in downtown business activities."

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. supports the relocation, which could bring hundreds of state employees to downtown. As a former member of the agency once called the state Tax Commission, he said, "I know how important it is to have DOR services in the downtown area."

Now when I first read this, I thought to myself, how awkward. Furthermore I read the fact that really was beyond my reach. 27% vacant. WOW! I mean how is the BOLD, NEW, CITY surviving this. I cannot understand. But, through hell or high water, we are still a city that is on the rebound. There is still much to be done, but we are far from where we used to be. For those of us who chose to stay the course of this war to save our city, it has been a long one. Filled with empty promises, bad politics, evil politicians, and even an arrogant city council that felt it was ok to issue a $50 reconnect fee for water. Sidebar-I'm still rather PISSED about that one. 

For the most part, we have been making strides. Downtown is thriving again. Businesses are returning on both the corporate and the business side. Facelifts are being initiated for a lot of the infrastructure, and even the museums are throwing on a little paint and spicing up the decour. Our city, which was down on its last leg at one point with a vacating citizen count and businesses to match, has seen its worst day. Boarded up businesses that vacate an area several months after opening, dilapidated housing that stretched on for blocks and blocks; these are the grounds of abandonment that the city faced. Due mostly to rising taxes, high crime rate and poor job opportunities. When it comes to the story of those who have been there, and done that, our city has a HUGE trophy for playing an award winning role. I urge those who have been here and moved on to the outskirt counties of Madison and Rankin, to always look back and do not be afraid to come and pay us a visit sometime. If you see fit, maybe even come shop here and spend a little of your hard earned money. Lol! 

Although we have a rather stripped down shopping and entertainment complex, we still make strides with what is left standing. Those keystones alone are enough, in my opinion, to rebuild our once great city back to its former light. Keep this in mind always. What once was great, will be great once again. HISTORY PROVES THIS!