A Plan To Keep Lawrence County Moving Forward In 2010

With the new year now upon us, it is once again time we renew our efforts to keep Lawrence County moving in the right direction.

In order to do that, we need to have a bold and progressive plan of action which outlines how we can ensure opportunity and prosperity for all Lawrence Countians.

With that being said, below are the five issues which I believe are most important and deserve the most attention from our county government in the upcoming year:

1) Jobs, Jobs, Jobs: There is no question that the single biggest issue in Lawrence County is the need for jobs. Four years ago Murray-Ohio shut their doors for good.

Since that time, we have taken the necessary steps to diversify and advance our workforce and have landed a number of new industries However, Lawrence County like everyone else has been adversely affected by the recent worldwide recession and finds itself with a workforce in need of employment.

Therefore, it is imperative that we continue to dedicate ourselves to doing all we can to invest in the existing businesses and industries in our county while aggressively recruiting new ones. While some may be content in letting Lawrence County become a “retirement community,”

I am not. We need to ensure opportunity and a future for everyone—including the younger generations of Lawrence Countians. This will happen by creating good paying jobs.

2) No Wasteful Spending; No New Taxes: In tough economic times it is common sense that we do like any good business and every family around our county and tighten our belt and live within our means.

A large number of families live on a set budget in Lawrence County. That means every cent that they have taken away from them results in less money
they have to spend on necessities for their family like medication, food and utilities.

Due to innovative budgeting (example: the recent A+ bond credit rating from Standard and Poor’s), cuts in wasteful spending and being fiscally responsible,

Lawrence County has been one of the few places that have not been forced to raise taxes during the
economic crisis. We need to make sure that trend continues so Lawrence Countians can keep more of the money they work hard for. Raising taxes must not be an option.

3) Invest in Education: In the past three years, there has been an unprecedented effort to improve education in Lawrence County.

These efforts include advancing the curriculum in our schools to better prepare students for college and/or the workforce, revamping technology, improving test scores and graduation rates and fighting for better classrooms for our children.

But we cannot rest until our children have the very best education possible because education is the key to our county’s future. The more educated workforce we have, the greater the chance good businesses and industries will invest in our county.

These two issues go hand and hand and we cannot take our eye off the ball on either one. Creating a better tomorrow starts today by investing in our children and their education.

4) Make Clean, Reliable Water Available to Everyone: In today’s time we tend to think that everyone has access to clean and reliable water—but they don’t. I know this first hand because a number of constituents in my district have a water situation so dire that theym have been forced to get water from a nearby creek or simply go without, which is unacceptable.

Currently, we are doing all we can to get these people and all others in need of water help by partnering
with local utility boards and municipalities and running water lines where they are needed . It has been and will continue to be our goal to make clean and reliable water available to anyone who needs it.

5) Work to Reduce Energy Costs: Two years ago our county government became a model for surrounding areas when it mandated that all new county buildings be equipped with energy efficient lighting.

Recently, at the county’s behest, an energy audit was conducted on all of county buildings which pinpointed problem areas and offered recommendations to fix these problems.

We need to follow through with these recommendations not only because it is the smart and environmentally responsible thing to do, but also because it will make our county more efficient and above all, save taxpayer dollars. It will be a win-win
for our county.

Our county has been through a lot over the past few years. But with the strong will and perseverance of our people, we have overcome the worst and have chartered a bright path for our future. But there is
still work to do.

I am both hopeful and confident that my colleagues on the commission as well as the people of Lawrence County will join together and work on these important issues that are so crucial to our future.

The power to shape our county’s future is in our hands.

It’s time we roll up our sleeves and get to work on behalf of the people of Lawrence County.

All the best in the new year,

Chris D. Jackson
County Commissioner, 2nd District, Loretto
cjackson@lawcotn.org