JACKSON CELEBRATES PUBLIC WORKS WEEK

JACKSON -- The Jackson Utilities and Public Works Department will observe National Public Works Week this week with several events and activities, according to Public Works Director Mark Brown.

The activities will include an open house at the city's new utilities and public works customer service center; a sanitation and recycling roundtable discussion; a program on how electricity is transmitted from the generating station to the home; and an appreciation picnic for Jackson utilities and public works employees.

Brown said the observance of National Public Works Week began in 1961, when President John F. Kennedy set aside a week to recognize the importance of municipal public works.

"It is a week when we take time to pay recognition to the utility and public works employees of Jackson, and educate citizens about the vital services our public works employees provide to the people of Jackson," said Brown. "Too often, citizens are not aware of how important public works is to a community such as Jackson.

"Nothing is more important in any town than a supply of pure water. You can live without electricity, sewers, and paved streets, but without water service there would be no life...no community."

Brown said most of the work that's done in public works has the environment in mind. For example, the city pumps water from the ground, makes it safe to drink, then treats it at the wastewater treatment plant before the water's returned to the ground cleaner than when it first was removed.

Public Works Week began Monday, with an open house at the Jackson utilities and public works customer service center on the second floor of the Boatman's Bank Building, West Main and Court.

Jackson utilities and public works employees also were recognized by city officials at the Monday night Jackson Board of Aldermen meeting.

Today, the department will present "Earth Day" programs, including tours of the wastewater treatment plant from 9 a.m. until noon, and a sanitation and recycling roundtable from noon until 2 p.m. in the city council chambers at city hall.

Brown said, "Tours of the wastewater treatment plant will be available to groups or individuals, but they must be scheduled in advance by calling the customer service number, 243-2300."

Brown said the roundtable discussion will deal with current and future plans for recycling programs in Jackson.

"We urge citizens to attend the meeting so they can provide input to the discussion," he said. "Right now is a critical time for us as a city as we move toward implementing a recycling program.

"There are many different types of programs and many different alternatives. But none of them will work without public understanding, support, and participation. It is critical that we adopt recycling programs that the citizens will strongly support and participate in."

Brown said any recycling program must be customer responsive. "It has to be something the public can focus in on and participate in without a lot of difficulty," he said. "We also realize the public may have some ideas for recycling that we have not considered."

On Wednesday, the department will present programs on electricity from 3-5 p.m. at the customer service office.

"This program will explain how electricity is generated and how it reaches the service line to your home," said Brown. "While other power sources will continue to come and go, electricity will always be at the forefront for customer convenience, efficiency, and reliability."

Brown said many Jackson citizens are unaware that the city owns and operates its own light and power department and generates electricity at the city-owned power plant. The city also buys electricity from other wholesale sources.

"Many people do not realize how unique Jackson is among cities of its size because we own and operate our own utility system," Brown said. "Because of that, we can offer lower electric rates to our commercial and residential customers, and it also helps keep our taxes low."

On Thursday, Jackson utilities and public works employees will be treated to a picnic from noon until 1 p.m. Presentations also will be made to employees by various city officials.

"We want to make public works week an annual event," said Brown. "Too often, public works employees are not recognized for the vital services they provide to a community. It's important that they know they are appreciated for the work they do and that the citizens are also aware of it."