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Editor's Notes
This change has been needed for quite some time as evidenced by the number of wrecks that have occurred there in recent years. People seem to be in more of a hurry today. That, coupled with the increase in traffic, created the need for a turn lane in that area. The expansion at New Era Cap Company will cause an increase in the number of people working there, which is yet another good reason for a turn lane in that area. As I stated in a column earlier this year, I have been living and working in Jackson for nearly 4- 1/2 years and during that time have seen numerous automobile crashes in that area. It is a clear that with the speed limit increasing from 45 to 55, people are not going to be able to stop as quickly, therefore creating greater risk for those making left-hand turns in the area. Despite what people may think, we prefer not to have to report automobile crashes in The South Alabamian. It would not hurt my feelings to never cover another wreck or any other bad event for the rest of my career. Park is a chance for community to pull together During Tuesday's meeting of the Jackson City Council, a motion to designate nine acres adjacent to the New Era softball field for the construction of a city park was approved. Members of the Pine City Park Committee are urging the community to get involved with helping raise money for the project. I fully endorse their efforts and encourage all of you to find ways of helping raise funds for something many local residents will enjoy using. I have visited towns smaller than Jackson that have very nice city parks, some of which were funded by just such community efforts. That proves that it can be done if we put our minds to it. Not only will there be a playground for children, but eventually many areas for adults to utilize as well. Such a park encourages families to get out and do something together. It also provides a place for people who have limited or no outdoor space at their residence a place to go and enjoy the outdoors. Jackson certainly has a need for such a place and as a community we can make it happen. All it takes is a little brain power and willing volunteers coming together to see the project completed. Citizens should adhere to leash law Councilman Robert Marks made a good point during Tuesday's city council meeting when he brought up the city's leash law. He said citizens should abide by it and those who don't should be fined. I whole-heartedly agree with Mr. Marks. Whether you are the owner of a large or small dog, it is your responsibility to make sure it does not infringe on the rights of others. The best way to do that is to adhere to the city's leash law and not let your pets run free. Being a pet owner myself, know that this is not difficult, especially if you care about the well-being of your pet. My dog never goes out unless he is on a leash, even just for a moment. Larger dogs may be harder to handle, but that does not exclude them from the law. If a dog is kept outdoors, it is a good idea to have an enclosure of some sort that prevents it from getting out and terrorizing the neighborhood. A word of warning to those of you who don't adhere to the leash law, our new animal control officer Lee Hutto is serious about the job he does and good at it too. That is why the city's dog pound is so full right now. He recently told me that he has quite a few dogs there that would make good pets, so if you are thinking of adding a furry friend to your family, I highly suggest checking out potential adoptees at that facility. Just call city hall and they'll be glad to put you in touch with Mr. Hutto. Help us by taking our old photos As mentioned by Publisher Jim Cox recently, The South Alabamian will be moving and there are a lot of old photos free for the taking. I encourage all those interested to come by and look through the many we still have. A lot of people have already taken advantage of this and have discovered some real treasures from the past. This is a once in a lifetime event, because with digital technology we have very little cause to actually print out photos before they appear in newsprint. Darkrooms are quickly becoming a thing of the past, even for hard-nosed photographers. Many amateurs now have the power to transfer photos directly from the camera to the computer and then print them out. Newspapers now do the same, except the need to print the photos out before going to press is not needed, since most of the process is completely digital now as well. Jackson continues to grow Although I am not a liberty to reveal any specific details, it was announced during the last week that at least two more new businesses will be opening in Jackson. In case you haven't noticed there is currently an economic boom taking place in Jackson. There are new stores being built, old ones being remodeled to house new businesses and expansion of existing facilities to accommodate more employment opportunities. Next week I will showcase in detail the economic growth taking place here. We ought to all be excited about what is unfolding before our eyes.
I am proud to live in a city where our city leaders are working hard to foster this growth. I am also glad to see that there is an air of confidence in Jackson's economy that makes people want to expand existing businesses or open new ones. The consumers are the ones who benefit, as well as those looking for employment opportunities locally, rather than having to travel out of town. I believe we are on the right track.
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