JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson thinks the city is on the right track and "moving ahead." That's what he said to hundreds of people gathered at the Medical Mall to hear his State of the City address.
Mayor Johnson, now in his third term, drew applause interruptions for almost an hour from hundreds of people, many city employees.
He talked mainly about development all over the city, like the new headquarters of the Stuart Irby Electrical Company on Silas Brown Street.
But he admitted the city has too much violent crime and something must be done about it.
"I am just as frustrated as citizens are, when violent crime occurs. So, we are going to have to work together to have a holistic approach. We have to look at circumstances that are causing violent crime. We are going to have to look at how we can prepare police officers in a better way, to cut down on violent crime," said Johnson.
When questioned about major business losses along the Highway 80 corridor recently, Sears and Puckett Machinery, he stood his ground and said that it will be turned around.
"Well we have not lost our will to improve the Highway 80 corridor and we are moving forward. You know realistically you can't expect that area to be turned around in a very short period of time."
Johnson said he had promised to be more accessible this term and he had kept that promise.
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