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Jackson mayor runs for third term
"I have enjoyed serving the citizens of Jackson and working with the council, staff, employees, and municipal, county, and state organizations to bring new industries, retail businesses, and improved infrastructure to Jackson. If re-elected, I will have the opportunity to serve fulltime as mayor to improve our city." Long, employed by Boise, is planning to retire by the end of the year. "I had the privilege of representing District 2 and District 3 while serving under Mayor James Arrington and Mayor Norma Beard as they prepared the city of Jackson for the growth it is now experiencing. While serving District 2, I was assigned to the municipal airport and Police Department and worked very close with Chief Bill Taylor. While serving two terms in District 3, I served as chairman of the Water Board, the Port Authority, the finance committee, and was appointed mayor pro-tem after the death of my friend Bill Stewart. "During my first term as mayor, I was the driving force for a stateof the-art, $6 million water treatment system for Jackson and the surrounding area and received more than $1.5 million in federal funding. I have served on the Clarke Mobile Counties Gas Board for the past eight years with the mayors of Grove Hill and Thomasville and currently serve as chairman of the board. I have served on the Executive Committee of the Alabama League of Municipalities for the past five years. During my 20 years as councilman and mayor, I have gained extensive knowledge into the workings of our municipal government and the revenue stream on which the city operates. The city of Jackson is in an outstanding financial condition and the city's revenue continues to grow each year. "I am particularly proud to have served with council people, staff, employees, boards, and citizens who have supported economic growth, improvement of education systems, youth and senior citizen programs, and continuous improvement of our community's quality of life. I have excellent relationships with the other mayors in the county, county and state officials, and especially Congressman Jo Bonner and Senator Jeff Sessions. This is tremendously important as we continue to request county, state, and federal funds and move into regional partnerships to recruit industry to Southwest Alabama. "When I announced my intention to run for mayor in 2000, I promised that we would increase industrial development by developing Jackson as a quality city and improving the infrastructure. I believe our record shows this has been done and progress will continue if elected. During my second term we have succeeded in getting or having an announcement for a $1 million New-Era expansion, $118 million Dixie Green Pellets plant, $8 million Hampton Inn, $500,000 Evergreen Transportation Terminal, and a $300,000 ERGON Trucking Terminal, and the fourth converting system at Boise Converting Plant. These industrial companies will bring over 350 jobs for our citizens. Gulf Lumber Company purchased and reopened the Boise sawmill and 75 employees started back to work. "The council has worked diligently on recruiting retail and the efforts have paid off as Walgreens, Hibbett's Sporting Goods, Sonic, Casa Grande, and many other retail stores and businesses have opened and now provide jobs for our citizens. We will continue to recruit retail businesses and services to Jackson and I will continue to pursue a third grocery store for the city. "The council improved the infrastructure by completing the Jackson Police Complex, Municipal Courthouse, Industrial Road overpass, JHS Legion Field Ticket Complex, JHS Tennis Complex, William E. Stewart Airport improvements, gulley projects and many other projects at a cost exceeding $10 million. The city of Jackson received over $8 million in state and federal grants. The city purchased the property for the HW-177 Industrial Park and the Dixie Green Pellet Plant will be located there. We will continue to upgrade the municipal assets and build new facilities when needed. If reelected I will pursue funding for a new Senior Citizen Center, downtown Fire Station, and expansion of the HW 177 Recreation Center and the White Smith Library. "The city continues to support the Jackson schools with an annual contribution exceeding $250,000 and have committed $200,000 for the JHS athletic complex. The city's recreational programs continue to grow and are excellent. The council purchased a new fire truck, 12 police cars, Public Works equipment, and other resources to allow the city employees to perform their jobs safely and effectively. The employees have received pay increases every year as well as improved medical, life, and disability insurance." Long is married to the former Susan Bolen and they have lived in Jackson since 1979. They have a daughter, Lee, and a son, John, his wife, Laura, and a grandson, Jack. The Longs are members of the First United Methodist Church where he has served as Chairman of the Administrative Board, President of the Wesley Sunday School Class, and currently serving on the Finance Committee. Long is a native of Hattiesburg, Miss. and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a BS degree in Mathematics. He served in the United States Navy and the Cuban Blockade and is a life member of VFW Post 5355. Long spent 13 years as a systems engineer and sales executive in the computer industry before moving to Jackson where he has been employed at Boise. Since moving to Jackson, Long has served as a member of the Jackson Volunteer Fire Department, Rotary Club President, Chamber of Commerce Board, Allied Credit Union Board, Downtown Revitalization Committee, Planning Commission, Clarke County Development Foundation Board, and was Chairman of the Clarke County United Way from 2004 - 2007. Long concluded, "It is hard to believe I have been allowed to serve the citizens of Jackson for 20 years but I must tell you that I am more excited today than I have ever been concerning the future of Jackson. We have a tremendous opportunity ahead of us and I believe we can grow the city in a way that will maintain our quality of life, provide jobs for our children and citizens, provide excellent municipal facilities and services, and maintain a safe and protected community. "I want to be your mayor again and I intend to knock on every door in the city to ask for your comments and your vote as I seek to serve the city of Jackson for four more years. God bless each of you and God Bless America."
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