While the venue may be different this year, the State of the City Address continues to be a time when City residents can come together to reflect on the past year and look toward the future. That’s what Mayor Derek Dobies did in his fourth State of the City Address, which premiered on the City’s website, Facebook page, and YouTube page Wednesday night.
In the 11 minute prerecorded video message, Mayor Dobies spoke to Jackson residents from the Mayor’s Office in City Hall. In previous years, the address was held in different locations across the City depending on the event’s theme. Wanting to be mindful of COVID-19 safety, City officials decided to hold the 2021 address virtually.
In the first half of his speech, Mayor Dobies reflected on the community’s collaborative response to the pandemic and what City government was able to accomplish despite the health crisis. “One thing this pandemic reassured in me is that this City, our people, have true grit. We can weather any storm. We can take and shoulder an international pandemic in stride. We can adapt. We evolve. We persist,” Dobies said in the address.
The Mayor completed his address by laying out initiatives he plans to bring before the Jackson City Council this year, such as:
- Relaxing policies to encourage urban farming, like apiaries and chickens.
- Codifying a neighborhood association ordinance to strengthen neighborhoods.
- Combating poverty and promoting equity through a responsible contractor policy and a living wage ordinance.
- Dealing with financial and housing instability through a trauma-informed approach to homelessness and explore facilities that allow the City to join together in that collective work.
“We can do all of this, with your support. We take this work incredibly seriously. As serious as we take the public health and health of this City. And with your strength and resolve, we will get through this pandemic together,” Mayor Dobies said in the address.
Jackson residents can watch the 11 minute address on this page of the City website, along with the City’s Facebook page and YouTube page.