Jackson Free Press

Jackson's Debt Rating Boosted to an "A" by Standard and Poor's. Standard and Poor's announced that they were raising it's rating on Jackson's water and sewer system revenue bonds and revenue refunding bonds from an "A-" to an "A" . Standard and Poor's stated that they raised the rating based on improved financial position, coupled with a timely rate increase.

In a press release, Standard and Poor's said, "The rating also reflects the [water] system's stable economic and customer base and significant capital needs related to an aging system."
The City's Water/Sewer Master Plan was also noted in the release as a plan that will address the system's capital needs in a timely manner. The water and sewer system serves a population of nearly $250,000 in Jackson and Hinds County through 70,000 water connections and 57,000 sewer connections. Standard & Poors is the world's foremost provider of independent credit ratings, indices, risk evaluation, investment research, data, and valuations.

First Recipient of Jackson Public Schools' Employer-Assisted Housing Initiative

Helen Persons and her two sons were noticeably thrilled recently when a crowd gathered outside their new home on Woodville Street to welcome them to the neighborhood. Mayor Johnson, representatives from Jackson Public Schools, Trustmark Bank, Fannie Mae and others came together to recognize Ms. Persons as the first recipient to qualify for the JPS Employer-Assisted Housing Initiative.

This program provides JPS teachers who qualify for the program and are first-time homebuyers up to $6,000 down payment and closing cost assistance and free pre-purchasing counseling. The down payment assistance is provided via a forgivable loan that is forgiven over a 5-year period, as long as the teacher remains with JPS and stays in his or her home.

This program is possible as a result of a collaboration between Trustmark Mortgage Services, the City of Jackson, and Fannie Mae. If you'd like to learn more about this program, please call 960-1156.

JPD Seeking Accreditation from the Mississippi Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission

The Jackson Police Department has applied for accreditation through the Mississippi Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. Chief Moore currently sits on the Commission and contends that the accreditation will carry with it many benefits for the Jackson Police Department.

Some of the benefits to law enforcement agencies who are accredited are: a reduction of the agencies' risk to lawsuits; improvement of law enforcement community relations and an increase in employee input and interaction in the agency to promote the idea of quality performance by all personnel.

The community benefits because one of the most important components of accreditation is the creation of a forum between citizens and police where they work together to solve crime and where law enforcement receives a clear direction from the community about its expectations. Additionally, police officers benefit because accreditation assures officers that the agency is following pre-established professional standards and that the system is fair and equitable.

Check out these Programs or Events!

Now through October 31st
Yellowstone (MEGA-HD Large Format Film)
Russell C. Davis Planetarium
(For more information, call 960-1550.)

Now through November 23
Free Charm Clinics for high school aged young ladies
Grove Park Community Center
(For more information, call 960-1807.)

October 29th
Harvest Carnival
Jackson Medical Mall
6-9 p.m.
(For more information, call 960-0471.)