A Few Minutes with the Mayor – by Paul Becker

This month brings us Thansgiving—A time to reflect on our reasons to be thankful—I would like to take this opportunity to offer my personal thanks to the following:

Thanks to:

Good Bean Coffee who has graciously provided coffee at all our Friday Night Movies

The First Presbyterian Church for providing a free breakfast to our first responders

The CERT team for their devotion and volunteer service on behalf of their fellow citizens

The Boosters who seem to always be in the forefront when our community is in need

Jacksonville Rotary who generously shared their grill for the July 4th picnic

Friends of the Jacksonville Cemetery who seem to be perpetually cleaning-up

“Meet the Pioneers” for another successfully mounted historical and entertaining evening

Mayor’s Advisory Board for their invaluable conceptual ideas involving city management

Jacksonville Woodlands volunteers that keep the Woodlands and Arboretum in beautiful shape

Forest Park volunteers who build and maintain trails along with securing grants

Beekman House tour groups that keep history alive in Jacksonville

Chamber and JOBA for promoting our town and sponsoring events that bring people out to visit us

First Presbyterian and Calvary Church for standing at the ready for any emergency that might befall our town

City Council for a faithful year of dedicated work with a harmonious spirit

Commissions and Committees who’s selfless volunteer effort helps steer our city operations

City Staff, including Administration, Police, Fire, Public Works, and Building Maintenance for their exemplary devotion to daily tasks

My patient, longsuffering, understanding, and sympathetic wife, Sharon

And finally to: This newspaper’s publisher who has allowed this writer freedom to express opinions without any censorship

Posted November 22, 2013