Brittney Williams
MC Contributor/Staff Writer
City of Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber held a Chat and Chew session to discuss concerns of Jackson State University students and staff in a town-hall style meeting on Nov. 16 in the Student Center Ballroom.
“These chew and chats that we do… theses vision tours we take where we are going out on listening tours is our opportunity to hear from you after we’ve given just a brief overview of the kinds of things we would like to see happen in the city of Jackson,” Mayor Yarber said.
Yarber stated that these sessions can be used to talk about amicable solutions.
“We talk about innovation; we talk about you being a part of the solution and not part of the problem. We talk about how do we move, how we narrow the gap between what we say we are doing and what we are actually getting done,” said Yarber.
Charance Wright, a senior mass communication major from Atlanta, Ga., believes students should be concerned and involved in the issues faced by the city of Jackson.
“We are Jackson. As student leaders, we need to find ways to take interest of not only what is going on at Jackson State, but the city of Jackson,” said Wright.
Concerns like potholes and crime were quickly addressed. The mayor said these conversations are not new to the city.
“Potholes have been a problem for over 25 years and there have been 1100 less crimes [committed] this year than last year,” stated the Mayor.
The conversation shifted when the mayor mentioned that Jackson was given the opportunity to be a part of Bloomberg Philanthropy “What Works Cities,” an initiative former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg created which has committed almost $60 million dollars to the cities across the country to ensure better data access.
According to Yarber, What Works Cities will allow Jackson to become more efficient by creating a data portal that gives Jackson residents updates every 24 to 48 hours about work being done in city.
“Although we may think progress is not being done because we may not see it, doesn’t mean progress isn’t being made,” said Wright about the changes the city is making.
Yarber also discussed city infrastructure concerns at the meeting.
“Infrastructure is not just roads for us. Infrastructure has to do with our assets. It has to do with critical infrastructure that you cannot see,” said Yarber. “It has to do with the fact that when your water is brown, there is a reason for your water being brown and it did not just happen when it came out of your faucet.”
According to Yarber, it is estimated that $1.5 billion dollars of work is needed to repair current infrastructure problems. The city of Jackson currently has a $15 million dollar deficit and there is not enough money to put a real plan in place, resulting in deferred maintenance throughout Jackson.
“Our issues are more than just about comfort, it’s about more than insuring that you have a well balanced front end on your cars, it’s about our responsibility to the environment. It is to ensure that you are going to have safe drinking water and that we aren’t killing fish and other vegetation,” said Yarber.
To combat the issue, the city has created an infrastructure master plan with a funding source that is waiting to be approved by the City Council in December.
Economic development seemed to be the main dialogue between the mayor and attendees at the meeting, as many felt it was key to fixing the city’s budget and infrastructure issues.
Yarber told the crowd about new developments coming to the city that could bring in good revenue. Seraphim Solar Systems Company is coming from China to Jackson, bringing a $50 million dollar investment and creating about 400 new jobs. Around 60 new small businesses have also opened in Jackson communities, according to Yarber.
“My appeal to Jackson State University is how are you going to be a part of this solution?” asked Yarber. “How will people speak of you in 20 years? When people talk about Jackson, Mississippi experiencing its revival, how will they remember you?”
Derwin Stewart, a senior business management student from Chicago, Ill. said the city needs more attractions.
“Why can’t entrepreneurs and young people think about what we can bring to the city that can attract people to come out and have a good time,” said Stewart.
Mayor Yarber encouraged JSU students to be the next entrepreneurs in the city and think of innovations that can help improve the city.
