Jackson Free Press

This is not the first time Harrison Michael II has run for City Council. The last time he ran in 2009, he only faced two other opponents, Albert Wilson and the incumbent at the time, Kenneth Stokes. Now that Stokes has vacated his City Council seat to become a Hinds County supervisor, Michael is trying again to represent Ward 3. This time, however, he faces 10 others in the Feb. 14 special election.

When he ran in 2009, Michael said the city needed new personnel who were optimistic, enthusiastic, open-minded and compromising. He said he would attend all council meetings and be accessible to all constituents. "The people of Ward 3 have not had effective representation," he said then.

"We deserve better than what we've been getting. The ward has been in a constant state of regression since 1997, and it is time for a change."

Michael, 35, is a teacher and football coach at Peeples Middle School. For the past three years, he's been president of the Hanging Moss East Neighborhood Association.

Why do you want to be on City Council?
One of my goals is to provide equal and adequate representation to all 15 voting precincts in Ward 3. This is my second time running. In 2009, I ran with a new vision. Now, I plan to move forward with short-term and long-term goals.

Can you give us an example of a short-term goal?
Expand the youth division of the Parks and Recreation Department. What the city has now is good, but there's an opportunity for more volunteers. Also, we could be working with Youth Corps. I want to start a program for school youth who find themselves in the justice system, a program to transition them back into the community.

Other candidates are talking about crime in Ward 3.
You can't eliminate crime. You can reduce it. You do that with quality-of-life officers who work with a community and show them how to set up a neighborhood association or a block watch. The first step is to get residents involved. They need to know how to report crime, but also they can report suspicious activity to each other.

I've been president of Hanging Moss East for three years. It's time for strong, energetic members on the council. We should take a load off the elderly.

What does Jackson need to do about its infrastructure?
Infrastructure goes hand in hand with economic development. We have to look for all types of resources, federal on down to local. We need to make sure the money comes in.

We have to fix what's under the street before we fix what's over the street. Progress takes time. People need to know that. If they understand that, they won't complain about the 1-percent tax.

How would you prioritize the city's spending?
When it comes to money, you have to be fluid. The mayor is going to set that budget, and the council approves it. You have to listen to citizens.

I would want opportunities and incentives for business and larger incentives for companies to come into this area. Also, public safety would be near the top of the list. We have to make sure city workers are being paid on time.

Is there anything you would like to stress?
Jackson is at a critical stage right now. Everything else rises and falls with leadership. There can be good people we know, we love and respect, but they may not be right for the job.

See additional candidate coverage at http://www.jfppolitics.com.