A Few Minutes with the Mayor – July 2022

In this long period of uncertainty over the last few years, I often hear about the worry and anxiety people feel about the future. In today’s world, it can be hard to find hope. It is difficult to know how to find the resolve to make positive changes for the future. Folks worry about our country, and about the legacy we are leaving for our kids and grandkids. We fear more pandemics, climate change, fire and smoke danger, politics, school shootings, among other worries. As with previous generations, we try to prepare today’s young people for the future, which puts a lot of hope and expectation on their shoulders. I recently took stock of how I was feeling personally and was surprised to recognize that I felt optimistic. One reason is that the highlight of my day is any interaction I have with young people, either here in City Hall or when I am out and about. I see our future in these bright-eyed, curious, intelligent kids I have the pleasure of meeting. It warms my heart and gives me hope.

Town Historian, Larry Smith, and I regularly host students from around the county. We meet in my office or in Council Chambers in our upstairs assembly room. In addition to being our Town Historian, Larry is a retired schoolteacher with a particular interest in history. He prepares the students with background about events that happened in Jackson County and the city of Jacksonville. Anywhere from 20 to 50 students show up with their teachers and chaperones. As they enter the building, these young people suddenly switch from gawking and gossiping, to an attitude of awe as they take in our historic City Hall building. The baseball caps come off. They stand up straighter. They are very respectful. They are great listeners, and they are engaged. We aim to strike a balance in education between local history, and modern local government. My goal is to take away any fear, doubt, or apprehension kids can have about government.

We want to educate them about how they can participate in helping govern any place they live when they are older. We break the ice by talking about the history of events that occurred relating to our Courthouse when it was the county seat. Next, we talk about how our Jacksonville city government works. We then have a lengthy question and answer period. The first thing remarked on is that I am a, “Lady Mayor.” A question often asked is: “Are you sure a girl can be Mayor?” Yep, I’m sure! Other frequently asked questions are: How much do you get paid? Where are the jail cells? Where is the jail? What is the worst thing that someone came to trial for? Where are trials held now? What is a City Council? How exactly is a Council meeting run? Do we make mistakes? How can you fix or change something? I measure the success of these encounters by listening to the kids as they leave the building and it’s very interesting. They aren’t yawning, fooling around, or talking about lunch. They are talking amongst themselves about what they just learned, about the building, and how things are really different than they expected. Their imaginations soar as they relive incidents that occurred in the courthouse. What hope we find in these youngsters!

Another group of kids I regularly encounter is our local group of younger skateboarders. I often see this exuberant band of athletes when I’m out walking. I have stopped several times to sound out this lively group about the skate park, and other ideas they have about Jacksonville. The “Skateboard Boys,” as I call them, are often accompanied by an attentive adult. They assure me that the park has a different feel these days. The cameras and extra attention paid to the park make this a comfortable place where kids can burn off energy and hang together after they have outgrown swings and slides. This is another set of thinkers and philosophers. They can explain in great detail how they feel being outside with their friends, and feeling the freedom they have in Jacksonville. They also like school and learning. Their favorite subjects are math, science, and reading. They really enjoyed the idea of talking with someone involved in city government and have great ideas on improvements that were well worth listening to. One thing I really like is how respectful they are to one another while exchanging ideas. Another group of young people who will contribute, wherever they live as adults! I’m always happy when I see them.

An enlightening experience I enjoyed last fall was hosting local Jacksonville Cub Scout Pack 17, at City Hall. Pack 17 is sponsored by the Jacksonville/Applegate Rotary Club. I was a Cub Scout Den Mother years ago, and this visit sparked many fond memories. The Pack was fulfilling a requirement to meet with a local leader to discuss their job requirements, how they accomplish these requirements, and what major issues they encounter. I was happily surprised to see young ladies as active members of the pack! This engaging group of young people came in wearing the familiar blue uniform shirts and were here to listen, learn, and ask questions. We talked about being Mayor and the responsibilities that entailed. The conversation then developed into an engaging exchange about pledging allegiance to the flag and what that means. We dissected the meaning of the words in our pledge, discussed what a pledge is, and the meaning of some of the words: allegiance, republic, indivisible, liberty, and justice. We had pledged allegiance to the flag but decided to do it again, after discussing what the words actually meant. You have never heard such a heartfelt, wholeheartedly considered pledge that these kids gave. It was definitely louder too! Again, my respect for our local youth warmed my heart as I listened to these young people talk. More future leaders!

I also want to mention our local elementary school. Jacksonville Elementary School (JES) is an award-winning learning facility under the leadership of Principal Shelly Inman. JES serves children for seven learning years, kindergarten through sixth grade. JES students have had strong family and community relationships since the school was opened decades ago. Principal Inman tells me our local children were thrilled to be back in school this past year. They are involved in learning and being part of the community again. Many of our local students excel in academics, thanks to school leadership. This year staff is working on creating a seven-year experience, paying attention to what students K-6th are getting out of arts, theater, and outdoor experiences. The staff will then be able to create impactful projects for each grade level, based on their findings. I’ll give you more in-depth information on Jacksonville Elementary School later in the year.

Facing an unknown future makes one thing clear to me. As it has been for centuries, our children are our future. If you are looking for a way to make changes, start with kids you come in contact with. I have always found that kids respond well to positive interactions with adults. A one-on-one conversation with a child, where we ask questions that require more than one-word answers is a great way to start. Being genuinely curious about what they think and what they like is often illuminating for adults. I feel I have learned much more from the young people I have met this year than they have learned from visiting with me. I think our children deserve our best. We owe this to them-especially considering what we expect from them. I’m not talking about dumping all the problems of the past on them to fix, but rather giving our kids any tools they will need to move through an ever-evolving world. Tools to create their future. If you visit with only one child this week, I promise it will teach you something. You will be rewarded with a new outlook on our chaotic world, some fun, and possibly the hope and positivity I have experienced. I think each and every adult probably has at least one enlightening idea they can convey to our youth. I encourage and challenge you all to try.

Until August and please remember, school is out, so watch for our kids when you are driving through town.