City Council Meeting 5/7/19—Mayor Becker opened the meeting with a moment of silence for Terri Gieg, a longtime member of the Jacksonville community who passed away in early May. Terri will be remembered fondly for creating the annual Victorian Christmas celebration and for decades of service with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. (Please see page 15 for information on celebration of life planned for Terri Gieg.)
Jackson County Sherriff Nathan Sickler and County Commissioner Rick Dyer were on hand to support Resolution #R2019-003—the proposed formation of a Jackson County taxing district to build a new county jail. After the presentation, the council voted unanimously to join the district and refer the matter to the voters. However, several days later, the Ashland and Talent city councils rejected the ballot measure, effectively killing the proposed project for the foreseeable future.
Firehouse Grant-—The Jacksonville Fire Department is proud to announce they were awarded a grant for a new extrication device from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. A new battery-powered Holmatro Combination Extrication Device will help fire crews quickly access and extricate patients from motor vehicle accidents and other situations where prying, clamping and cutting are needed. The tool is battery-powered, self-contained, and smaller than conventional extrication equipment, but just as powerful. It will help our firefighters gain access to begin delivering medical attention.
Jacksonville Fire Department Interim Chief Wayne Painter noted that the department would like to thank the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for their generous grant. In 2005, the Firehouse Subs founders established the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation with the mission of providing funding, lifesaving equipment, and educational opportunities to first responders and public safety organizations.