A Few Minutes with the Mayor – April 2023

People often ask me what I like and dislike about being Mayor. I find I love many aspects of being the Mayor of Jacksonville. I have the opportunity to meet and get to know many of the people who live here. The element that can be difficult is that you have a part in some of the difficult decision-making duties that can affect everyone who lives here. That’s very sobering, and making these decisions is not something I take lightly. I love learning new ideas. Being elected Mayor just two years ago means I have been on a learning curve this entire time… and I don’t expect that to change. I love interacting with people who walk into City Hall, showing folks around our historic building, and talking about our heritage. The photo gallery of historic pictures, curated and hung by City Councilor/Photographer Ken Gregg is always a talking point and I love it when people make repeat visits and find something new every time. I absolutely love my visits with the many schoolchildren from around Jackson County who pepper me with questions, remarks, and opinions. I am very pleased when the city can solve a problem for a citizen and I’m unhappy when I have to say “no” to someone. I love setting goals with your City Council and seeing those goals come to fruition. I really dislike it when projects take a long time to complete.

Jim Lewis

One mission I look forward to each year is giving recognition to a deserving person as “Citizen of the Year” and to another with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” for Jacksonville. I’m proud to name Linda Davis our Citizen of the Year for 2022 and posthumously name Councilman Jim Lewis the Lifetime Achievement Award winner for 2022.

Linda Davis is a quiet, resourceful leader in our community who deserves recognition for her work promoting fire safety. As a leader in the development of Firewise neighborhoods, Linda has helped increase our participating neighborhoods from 8 to 32 over the last 3 years. Over half of our residents belong to a Firewise Community now. Linda has demonstrated incredible dedication in contributing to ensuring fire safety in our town. She has educated us, assessed properties, provided training and support to residents, organized community events, and helped design two Firewise gardens. Linda is an effective liaison between the various agencies that work to keep Jacksonville safe. Linda’s impact on fire safety in the City cannot be overstated. Linda’s contributions to our City, the Jacksonville Fire Department, and our community, promoting fire safety and developing Firewise Communities, have made her an exceptional candidate for recognition as Jacksonville’s 2022 Citizen of the Year. Congratulations and many thanks to Linda.

Jim Lewis was the immediate name that came to mind when awarding the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award. Jim served almost 40 years in elected and appointed roles here in Jacksonville. Jim’s longtime service in Jacksonville government began in 1983 when he was appointed to the Jacksonville Budget Committee and the Historic and Architectural Review Commission. These experiences led Jim to an appointment to fill a vacancy on the City Council in 1986. Except for a brief hiatus from 2008-2010, Jim served in a position in city government, including 14 years as Mayor from 1994-2008. Jim most recently served as a City Councilor until his passing last August. I had the distinct pleasure of working with Jim while I served on the HARC, as a City Councilor, and as Mayor. To many of us, Jim embodied all that is “Jacksonville.” We miss his steadfastness, his wisdom, and that wry, dry sense of humor he exhibited. Councilor Mike McClain has a perfect quote from Jim that exemplifies Jacksonville, “In all my travels I have not found a more attractive town anywhere. I see amazing things in Jacksonville, almost daily, that I have not seen before. I believe the historic face of Jacksonville is what holds us together, and where else are you going to find a wonder like California Street?” Jim never lost his appreciation, and that sense of wonder, about Jacksonville and never stopped contributing to our city. I’m very proud to posthumously award Jim Lewis our Lifetime Achievement Award 2022.

I frequently hear the saying “Jacksonville runs on volunteers.” Linda Davis and Jim Lewis both made the choice to volunteer in our community and make a difference in our lives. Their efforts will continue to keep us safe and enrich the quality of life we enjoy for many years to come. I’m very proud to know Linda and to have known Jim.