Like so many of my generation, my family grew up struggling a bit. I was born at 844 East College Street, near the old A&P store, just down from the Aeneas Center. My dad was in the service and retired as Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force. Back then, the people of Jackson took care of each other, cared for those who couldn’t care for themselves, and helped families stay together and self-reliant. There were government programs to help, but we relied more on ourselves and our neighbors. I believe we were better off for it.

An Introduction to #OurJacksonVote

In the last fifty-two years, the city of Jackson has had a total of three mayors. Robert Conger was mayor from 1967 to 1989. Charles Farmer succeeded him and served until 2007. That same year, Jerry Gist transitioned from county mayor to city mayor and will step down later this summer when Jackson elects a new mayor. There are a few possible reasons that only three men have held the most important position in the city over the course of half a century.

EssaysKatie HowertonMarch 22, 2019Jackson TN, Tennessee, Gabe Hart, #OurJacksonVote, politics, mayor, election, Robert Conger, Charles Farmer, Mayor Jerry Gist, Scott Conger, government, Jimmy Eldridge, Mark Johnstone, Vicky Foote, Dr. Jerry Woods