Jackson State University students stood front and center at the Jackson City Council meeting Tuesday held at the Mississippi e-Center at JSU.
Early on during the lengthy meeting that went on well into the night, JSU student interns to Council members were recognized by Council President DeKeither Stamps, who lauded their enthusiasm, hard work and importance to keeping the meetings going smoothly.
Dr. Patricia Murrain, coordinator of Speech Studies, addressed the Council, introducing the students to the packed ballroom at the e-Center. Receiving applause were Speech Communications and Theatre students Whitney Gibson, Randrika Henderson, Briana Davis, Political Science junior Justin Wills, and Speech Communications and Theatre junior Delbert Griffin.
Also singled out for her service as an intern by the Council was Terriannah Anderson. “I’m very honored to be here tonight,” said the freshman in Graphic Design from Jackson.
President Carolyn W. Meyers earlier in the meeting had welcomed the Council to the JSU campus, noting that JSU and the city are inextricably linked in the development of the city. “It’s important to us because if the city thrives, the university will thrive,” adding, “We’re all in this together.”
In that vein, between the many motions for authorizing contracts and paying bills, the Council heard from students about city issues that need to be addressed.
Mary Elizabeth Gilbert Manogin, a graduate student, told the Council that substantive urban and regional planning issues are in critical need. Citing the loss of the South Jackson Kroger store, she suggested the Council:
— Approve tax increment financing for the area around Kroger, to provide incentives for new businesses;
— Consider more public/private partnerships that produced such successes as e-Center that was converted from an abandoned building to a high-technology research facility, and the Jackson Medical Mall which is now a leader in health care and houses JSU’s School of Health Sciences, College of Public Service.
Mayor Tony Yarber welcomed Manogin’s suggestions and said the JSU Department of Urban and Regional Planning and its students have proven invaluable in helping shape innovation in the Capital City.
The Council also got an earful about potholes in and around the JSU campuses and the city where students reside.
Both Jordan Carter, a junior in Political Science, and Kiyadh Burt, a senior in Political Science, detailed road woes that have caused students, their parents, and local citizens astronomical auto repair costs for wheel alignments, broken suspensions, and flat tires.
“We didn’t get here overnight,” Yaber said about the deteriorating streets. They were a long time coming and will take some time to fix.
Yarber said that the city is working on an Infrastructure Master Plan that the Council is addressing.
Not only current students, but former students and their ties were prominent at the meeting. Yarber, a JSU grad, praised the university, as did Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth I. Stokes, who noted he was an alum as well as members of his family. That prompted Ward 5 Councilman Charles Tillman to remind the Council that JSU is in his district.
The invocation was given by JSU Pastor Elbert McGowan.
The Council also honored 81-year-old activist and retired school teacher Ineva May Pittman with its 2015 Woman of the Year Award. The 1956
JSU grad urged everyone in attendance to step up their community involvement. “I’m challenging each of you to give something back to the community,” she said.
Jean C. Frazier, state relations coordinator, JSU Division of Institutional Advancement, said the Council previously held a meeting at the Student Center in 2013. Dr. William McHenry, executive director of the e-Center, said this is the first time the Council has met there.
“It’s good to have the City Council back,” said Meyers. “We are pleased to share our resources with them because our futures are intertwined.”
Noting that JSU will also be hosting a meeting of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors this year, Dr. Otha Burton, executive director, JSU Institute of Government, said “it’s good anytime we can bring government to the people.”