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Governor plans to visit Jackson Feb. 11 Mayor Richard Long announced during Tuesday's Jackson City Council meeting that Gov. Bob Riley would make two stops during a visit to the city, Feb.11. Riley's first stop will be at 9 a.m., at Jackson High School. He will be the guest speaker at a program in the school's auditorium, during which he will discuss opportunities that the ThyssenKrupp steel plant will bring to the area. State Rep. Marc Keahey will host the meeting. The public is invited to attend. Riley's second stop will take place at Jackson City Hall Monday, Feb. 11, for the announcement of a major industrial project in the city. The event is expected to be the official announcement of the location of New Gas Concepts (NGC), Inc. in the city's newly-developed industrial park located off J.W. Andrews Highway. NGC will produce wood pellets that will be shipped overseas to be used as fuel by European industries. The company owns Dixie Pellets, LLC, recently built in Selma, which will combine wood by-products with chemicals to produce a long-burning product, similar to charcoal briquettes. The pellets will be barged down the Alabama River to the Port of Mobile and exported to European Union electrical utilities and feedstock for power generation. The plant to be built in Jackson will utilize the Tombigee River for transporting the pellets produced here to the Port of Mobile. Future business opportunities between Dixie Pellets and Boise, as well as other companies in the area that produce wood products, may be a possibility once the plant is up and running. "The public is invited to attend to support our city and thank the governor for his support as he makes this significant announcement," Mayor Long said. In other business: *The mayor and other council members encouraged parents and interested citizens to attend Parents Night at the Jackson High School auditorium tonight (Thursday) at 6:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by southwest Alabama industry to inform parents of the opportunities available from industry in the area. Bradley Byrne, chancellor of the state's two-year college system will be the guest speaker. The program will focus on industry jobs, scholarships, wages and qualifications. *The council voted to rezone a piece of property on East Pearl Street from R- 2 to R-3 to allow for the construction of a 48-unit apartment complex. The action was recommended by the city's planning commission. *A motion was approved to allow for (See COUNCIL on page 5-A) the hiring of a public works parks superintendent. According to Long, the move will also require hiring of additional public works employees. *The council approved a motion to replace some of the netting at the North Jackson Little League Park and to purchase blocks to enclose the visitors' dugout at the New Era softball field. Combined cost of both projects is estimated at less than $7,000. *Councilman Eddie Huggins reported that the Continuous School Improvement (CSI) program was at capacity with 100 students signed up and an average daily attendance of 80. He also said the Save the Children Foundation is interested in a cooperative effort with CSI and the HIPPY programs. "They are wanting to expand their program with the purpose of the advancement of literacy," he added. *Councilman Daron Bolen said he had received several complaints from citizens about speeding in local neighborhoods. Some of those mentioned included Magnolia Trace, West Cedar Street and Front Street. Inv. Richard Harvey, who was in attendance as the police department representative, said he would give that information to Chief Charles Burge. *Councilman Robert Marks reported that the build date for the new Pine City Park had been moved from April to September due to some engineering issues at the site. "We have the needed funds to do the project, but these engineering issues need to be addressed before we can move forward," he said. *During his report to the council, Inv. Harvey said the department's Student Police Academy kicked off Tuesday, with 12 students from several area schools attending.
The next meeting of the Jackson City Council is scheduled for Feb. 12 at 6 p.m.
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