Jackson Free Press

Dear Jacksonians,

Over the past months our city has gone through some drastic changes, from the death of our beloved and sometimes hated mayor Frank Melton to the inauguration of our new but old mayor Harvey Johnson. With Harvey Johnson being sworn into office, many citizens feel as if Jackson will get right back on track to greatness. But can Harvey Johnson bring greatness back to the city of Jackson?

Citizens I feel that Harvey Johnson can't bring greatness back to Jackson. This statement may sound controversial but it is true. Greatness can only be brought back to the city unless the citizens themselves want greatness.

This thought can be traced back to the Revolutionary War when the Americans were fed up with the injustices that the British served them. Ok maybe that's not a good example or maybe it is. As citizens of Jackson we can't just rely on the Mayor, City Counsel, or the Police to make our city a better place. We have to accomplish this goal ourselves.

The way to do this is to become citizens who are proud of their city. We have to take pride in our schools, workplaces, and the places that we spend our leisure time in. We have to protect our own streets by creating Neighborhood Crime Watches in our neighborhoods. This takes me back to a conversation that a police officer had with my mother at a trade event. The police officer told my mother that people who use violence are only using it to instill fear. So instead of residents in Jackson being afraid of crime why don't we stand up to it? And no, I'm not asking for vigilantes to run the city, sorry Batman, but instead for citizens to come together and patrol the streets together to send out a message far more powerful that a gun.

In order for Jackson to become a city of greatness, then it will take all of us working together to make it a better place.

Sincerely,
Gerard D. Manogin

P.S.: Leave comments :)

Previous Comments

ID

149568

Comment

I agree its gonna take all hands on deck.

Author

NewJackson

Date

2009-07-12T14:21:27-06:00

ID

149579

Comment

Thanks for the letter, Gerald. I agree in total that it is going to take "all hands on deck" as stated by NewJackson, to make this a reality. We all have a responsibility to do what we can, wtih what we have and from where we are.

Author

justjess

Date

2009-07-13T10:19:01-06:00

ID

149614

Comment

well said!

Author

dd39203

Date

2009-07-14T10:45:26-06:00