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Shooter takes out Jackson airport beacon The city of Jackson is replacing a beacon at the W.E. Stewart Airport after it was shot out by someone using a high-powered rifle. Jackson Public Works Director Kevin Woodson informed the council of the incident during Tuesday's regular city council meeting, adding that the cost to replace the beacon would be between $1,500 and $2,000. "This is the second time in the past year this has happened," he said during his report to the council. "Someone might think it was a funny thing to do, but it costs quite a bit to have it replaced." The beacon helps guide pilots flying in the area at night and during foggy or rainy weather. Mayor Richard Long stated that many pilots have stated that the beacon has given them a comfort zone and helped them gain their bearings. Several of the council members asked if there was a way to install some type of bullet-proof glass cover over the beacon to prevent such an incident from occurring again. Woodson said he feared the installation of such a cover might cut down on the effectiveness of the beacon, which shines up to 40 miles. Mayor Long asked Woodson to check with the company that sells the beacons to see if there are any such covers that will not interfere with the effectiveness of the light. Woodson said he would and then would report back to the council with his findings. The mayor also asked Police Chief Charles Burge to have an officer patrol in the area on a regular basis and to ask residents who live near the airport if they recalled hearing any shots fired around the time that the incident occurred. The chief said he would do so. Bids opened for fire department air packs During Tuesday's meeting, the city opened four bids received for 25 new air packs for the Jackson Fire Department. Grant money received by the department will be used to purchase the needed equipment. The lowest bid of $85,700, submitted by EFCO was accepted, pending review by Fire Chief Neal Bradley. Mayor Long asked Bradley to review the bid to determine if it meets all of the department's specifications and report back to the council with his findings. He agreed to do so. If the specifications are not met, the next lowest bid of $98,550 will be considered. Meeting date changed Due to council members being out of town for the next regularly scheduled council meeting, Tuesday, May 22, the meeting date was changed to Thursday, May 24 at 6 p.m. A work session was also scheduled for May 17 at 5 p.m. In other business: *The council approved contracts with SRS of Tuscaloosa and Forestry Environmental of Birmingham to complete several gully projects as part of the Emergency Watershed Program. Cost of the projects total approximately $550,800 with the city matching 25 percent of the costs. *A motion was approved to have several street lights installed at the intersection of Highway 177 and Industrial Road, an area that has been determined to pose a problem for motorists turning onto Industrial Road at night. Mayor Long stated that the installation of the lights will not cost the city any money, but maintenance of the lights will run about $1,000 per year. *Barrior Fence Company was awarded a contract to install a fence at the W.E. Stewart Airport at the cost of $46,936. *A peddler's license was denied for FX Airbrush in a 4-1- 1 vote by the council. Councilman Eldridge Jackson Jr. voted against the measure to deny the license while Councilman Robert Marks abstained. *Chief Charles Burge reported that the installation of the communications tower for the new police department was scheduled to begin by May 21 and would take three to four days to complete. It was also reported that Sgt. Amos Jackson, who has been on active duty with the U.S. Military should return home in July. *Councilman Paul South said the generators at the water plant were ready to operate and would be tested in the next few days. He said they would be started on a regular basis to ensure they remained in working condition.
South also reported that the work to repair drainage problems on Cleveland Street was complete with new drainage boxes installed at several locations.
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