Commissioner Jackson Challenges Lawrence County Youth

Right now you are one of the hundreds of students from all over our county who are graduating from high school and entering the next chapter of life. Some of you will go to college. Some of you will go to technical school. Some of you will go straight into the workforce while some of you still find yourself undecided on exactly what you are going to do.

While the path that each of you chose may differ, each of you share a common concern over what you should do in your life. But my advice to you is simple: do something in your life that is greater than yourself.

Along the way many people will undoubtedly tell you to do something in life that makes a lot of money. While there is nothing wrong with that, I challenge you to do something different. Instead of solely focusing on accumulating money and material possessions, I urge you to step forward and be a leader in our community and to make a real difference in people's lives by offering your service.

Just like every other community in our nation, our county is struggling right now. Many people find themselves without a job and barely getting by. Many others lack the necessary health care they need to live healthy and productive lives. Our schools are overcrowded and deteriorating before our eyes. Crime continues to go up while our jail continues to stay overcrowded. These are just a few of the pressing problems we face in Lawrence County.

While government has a role in helping solve these big problems, it can't do it alone. These are issues that affect us all as a community. Therefore, in order to solve them, we have to address them as one people united in common cause. Put simply, it can't be done without our generation doing its part.

To be honest, I am often disappointed at the number of young people who are informed on the issues that confront our community as well as the number of young people who actually are willing to work towards bettering our community. This has to change if we are to move forward as a county. It is time we assume responsibility for ourselves and realize that the change we seek won’t happen unless we act.

From a young age, I have always taken great enjoyment and pride in helping others. That is why I ran for county commissioner and chose to serve in the local Lions Clubs. Even though elective office can be tough sometimes with the criticism that comes with the tough decisions that are made, I get no greater satisfaction than when I am able to help improve someone’s' life. The fulfillment of being able to help others far outweighs anything else. That is the message I want to pass on to members of my generation here in Lawrence County.

While public service is often hard work and in many cases doesn't pay as well as other fields, I can guarantee you that the benefits are many. Whereas money in today's society comes and goes, the brotherhood and goodwill that you establish by serving lasts a lifetime and will reward you tenfold.

You may be thinking to yourself that you are too young to make a difference. But you are not, just look at me. I got involved when I was 19 years old. Age is not the determining factor on the amount of good you can do within our community, determination is.

Getting involved and making a difference can be easy. One way to get involved is to join a local service club such as the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club or Rotary Club. Each club does great work within our community and always welcomes new faces and new ideas.

Another way you can make a difference in our community is by engaging in activities like volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, helping in after school activities in your area, becoming a tutor or mentor to children in need, helping take care of the sick at the hospital or nursing home or simply taking part in your church's community service programs.

Next, always let your voice be heard on the issues that face our community. Don't be afraid to talk to your elected representatives and let them know where you stand on the issues. Your input is valuable as it adds a fresh perspective to the formulation of public policy.

Finally, if you want to make a career out of serving the public you can become a policeman, firefighter, nurse, teacher, community organizer or a member of the military. All are among the most well respect professions in our society and well within your reach.

I love this county with all my heart as I know you do. But it is time for our generation to get serious about what's important. It is time we put down the X-Box and time we started offering a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in our community who are in need. It is time we stopped watching so much TV and time we started paying attention to the struggles in our community. It is time we act on behalf of our children and grandchildren and to make Lawrence County a great place for everyone to live for generations to come.

In the coming years of your life, there will be setbacks, that is guaranteed. Every person in our nation's history that has achieved great things in life has suffered setbacks. But it is how we react to those setbacks on how we will be judged. Don't ever give up and always keep your eye on the prize and your heart in the right place. It is our time to shine.

The future is in our hands. Let's make Lawrence County all it can be--together.

Congratulations and best of luck,

Chris D. Jackson
County Commissioner, District 2 Loretto

PS: Thank you to all of our veterans. Your service to our country is the best example anyone could ever set for our youth. God bless you all.