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Sonic Drive-In to build in Jackson During the regular meeting of the Jackson City Council, Thursday, May 24, Mayor Richard Long announced that Sonic Drive-In is expected to begin construction of one of its restaurants in Jackson during the month of July. Rumors of the restaurant chain's location to Jackson have been circulating for months. Thursday, Long indicated that Sonic plans to open its Jackson drive-in eatery in October. Unsuccessful attempts were made to reach Sonic's media relations representative for comment before Wednesday's press deadline. During his comments at Thursday's meeting, Long also talked about other construction projects under way in the city. Those include Walgreens, New Era, the Jackson Police Department and the Evergreen Transportation trucking terminal. The city council meeting had been rescheduled from Tuesday to Thursday because most of the council members were attending a national retail conference in Las Vegas, Nev. Long said the trip was very successful. "We received a call of interest from an investor concerning the Tombigbee marina," he said. "We also had many questions concerning infrastructure. We are in good shape, but there are a couple of questions I will get answers on. I will also get information on a traffic count study on Highway 43 and request council approval at the next meeting." Councilman Anthony Jackson complimented Clarke County Economic Development Director Debra Bolen for doing an "outstanding job" on getting Jackson and the rest of the county exposure at the conference. Councilman Eldridge Jackson Jr. said he felt the trip was very productive. He also mentioned the announcement that German steel makers ThyssenKrupp would locate in Calvert and urged the citizens of Jackson to be courteous to the expected out-of-town visitors when the construction of the company's plant begins this fall. Councilmen Daron Bolen and Robert Marks said the city received double the exposure at this year's convention and that the city is in good shape with its infrastructure. "We are putting Jackson on the map," said Marks. "I think we will experience tremendous population and economic growth." Police report Deputy Police Chief Mark Harrell reported to the council that the department's advertising and testing campaign for new police officers is under way. "We are using newspapers, television and radio to advertise and have contacted several area universities about placing announcements on their Web sites," he said. City audit Bob Hedrick of King & Associates presented the council with the annual audit report for the city. He said the city is in excellent financial condition, taking in more money than it spent last year. Revenues exceeded the city's budget by $300,000 according to Hedrick's report. Mayor Long thanked City Clerk Betty Powell, City Administrator Jesse Miller and the rest of the city's staff for their work in staying within the budget. In other business: +The council approved entering into an agreement with Larry Watts for $37,500 to develop a comprehensive plan using strategies developed during the local Alabama Cities of Excellence (ACE) meetings. "I would like to request an early plan first due to the location of the steel mill to the area," said Mayor Long. +The council approved purchasing a computer server for White Smith Memorial Library at a cost of $4,300. +The purchase of two new scoreboards for the New Era softball complex at a cost of $6,000 was approved. +Council members voted to authorize spending an additional $120,000 for the new radio tower, furniture, radio console and other items for the new Jackson Police Department complex. +The council approved paying the city's $11,340 portion of the Clarke County wireless Internet initiative currently being undertaken. +Mayor Long reported that the city would host the Alabama Math and Science Training Initiative (AMSTI) for teachers from across the state for the second year in a row. "We will have approximately 300 teachers in town," said Long. "Last year we (the city) received great reviews from those who attended the program."
+The council approved the purchase of 25 new air packs for the Jackson Fire Department, utilizing grant money received by the department. The air packs will be purchased from Bay Fire Products after the lower bidders failed to meet the required specifications.
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