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Jackson leaders differ on making mayor full-time During a work session Aug. 3, members of the Jackson City Council discussed the possibility of a full-time mayor's position for the city. Three council members are in favor of going to a full-time mayor, while Mayor Richard Long and three other council members are opposed to it. Favoring the change are councilmen Robert Marks, Daron Bolen and Eddie Huggins. Voicing opposition were councilmen Paul South, Eldridge Jackson Jr. and Anthony Jackson. During Tuesday's regular council meeting, Marks issued the following statement: "I have received numerous inquiries about the city of Jackson going to a full-time mayor for the next municipal election cycle in 2008. In order to do that the city council would have to pass a resolution, which would allow the citizens of Jackson to vote on whether or not they would like a full-time mayor. With the full-time mayor there may no longer be a need for a city administrator since the mayor would take on those duties. I would like the citizens to contact me by either e-mail or regular mail and let me know what your opinion is concerning this issue, or you can present a petition to the council." Marks can be reachd at: robertmarks@boisepaper.com or by regular mail: Robert Marks, P.O. Box 1154, Jackson, AL 36545. Councilman Bolen said he would also welcome comments from citizens concerning the issue. After the meeting, Councilman Paul South explained that he and the others that oppose the move to a full-time mayoral position are in favor of hiring an economic development advisor for the city.
"The citizens have to decide whether or not they want to pay a mayor a full-time salary," he said. "With Mayor Long not seeking re-election, the person coming into the mayor's position would have to devote most of his or her time to learning the job. An economic developer who specializes in that area makes more sense."
Mayor's report Mayor Long gave his report to the council stating that site work had begun on the Industrial Road railroad overpass. "I encourage all wood trucks traveling to Boise to use the Highway 177 exit at the water treatment plant rather than the Industrial Road exit on U.S. Highway 43 at the Exxon station," he said. "Trucks traveling through town to Boise are violating a city ordinance and drivers will be issued a citation. Eighteen-wheel trucks are not allowed in the city unless they are delivering goods or purchasing fuel." "Peebles and Pizza Pro have opened for business," Long announced during his comments to the council. "The strip mall across from Merchants Bank is progressing and work is continuing on the Chinese restaurant next to Dirt Cheap."
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