Monday, July 19, 2010
Jackson Seeks Re-election As 2nd District Commissioner
Submitted by the candidate
Chris D. Jackson has filled the necessary paperwork to seek re-election as county commissioner in the 2nd District on August 5th.
A lifelong resident of Loretto, Chris is the son of Roger and Judy Jackson. He attended Loretto High School and will graduate from the University of North Alabama in December with a degree in political science and government and a minor in criminal justice. He has been selected for membership to the Delta Epsilon Iota, Alpha Beta Rho and Alpha Phi Sigma academic honor societies.
Jackson is an active member and past vice president of the Loretto Lions Club. He is currently secretary of the Loretto Lions Club Retirement Home Board. He is also a member of the Lawrence County Public Records Commission, the Lawrence County Resource Conservation and Development Board as well as the Young Elected Officials Network. On the county commission he serves as Chairman of the Technology Committee and the Energy Efficiency Committee.
He works full time at the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department as the Administrative Clerk, where he does payroll and accounting for the department. Jackson also serves as a Tennessee Notary Public.
Elected to the county commission in 2006, Jackson became the youngest person ever to hold office in Lawrence County. Since that time he has worked hard to improve the lives of all the citizens of the 2nd District and Lawrence County as a whole by responsibly addressing the problems that have faced our county during the past four years and progressively investing in areas that are vital to our county's future success.
Recognizing that jobs are the top priority for county government right now, Jackson has supported aggressive job creation and recruitment efforts that have helped some our hometown businesses to expand and new industries to relocate to Lawrence County. In order to secure long term prosperity for our county, Jackson believes we must have the best education system possible. That is why he has supported numerous investments and improvements to our education system including the addition of new technology to our children’s classrooms, the virtual enterprise class and welding program at Loretto High School and removal of harmful mold-filled portable classrooms at South Lawrence Elementary that are currently being replaced by new safe and learning-conducive permanent classrooms.
Jackson has also been a leader on keeping property taxes low for the citizens of the 2nd District. Since taking office, he has twice authored legislation that would have lowered the county’s unfair property tax and made the tax code fairer. Just last month he voted to lower the property tax rate approximately 30 cents from the state reassessed rate, allowing citizens to keep more of their hard earned money. He also supported the state initiative that would freeze property taxes for senior citizens.
Cutting out wasteful spending in county government has also been a top priority for Jackson. During each years' budget negotiations, he has urged all county departments to go line by line in their budgets to weed out all wasteful and unnecessary spending. He also voted in favor of implementing a spending freeze that was designed to keep discretionary spending in check during these uncertain economic times. Two years ago, Jackson publicly urged all commissioners to give up their yearly salary to improve the county’s financial state and ensure our volunteer fire departments’ funding would not be cut.
As commissioner, Jackson believes it is important to support measures that improve the everyday quality of life for the citizens of the 2nd District. He has done so by supporting miles of rural water line extensions to areas that need water, supporting efforts to maintain and improve our county roadways and investing in our volunteer firefighters, police and first responders to ensure safety for all citizens.
"I was born and raised and have lived my entire life in Lawrence County and the 2nd District. Lawrence County is my home and it is where I want to live and raise my family one day. So for me this campaign is not about politics or anything else, it's about my family and yours and what kind of future we can build together," Jackson says of why he is running.
He adds, "We have to keep fighting for opportunity and a better livelihood for all Lawrence Countians. We cannot settle for being a “retirement community” as some advocate. Like you I know Lawrence County is still a place where we can produce things and where we can live and raise our families. That is why I am so passionate about wanting to continue to serve and work to improve our district and county. We have a moral obligation to leave our children and grandchildren a stronger and more prosperous Lawrence County than we have.
Over the past few months, I have tried to go door to door to every home in the 2nd District. Along the way, I have met some great people and had some wonderful conversations about our county and the issues that face it. I want to thank everyone for their hospitality and generosity along the way. You have made this campaign an experience I will never forget and for that I am grateful.
On August 5th, I respectfully ask you to join me and send a message to the “good ole boys” system that has held up progress in Lawrence County for so long by voting for a New Generation of Leadership that puts people first, produces real results and looks to move our county forward, not backwards.
I would be humbled to continue to work for you and fight for a better Lawrence County.”
As always, if you need help with a problem or would like to express your cares and concerns about our county, please do not hesitate to contact Chris at one of the following:
Cell: 931-629-5627 Email: chris@chrisdjackson.com Website: www.chrisdjackson.com
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