BusinessTN

Jackson will have something next year that it has not had in 18 years—a mayor’s race that does not include current office holder Charles Farmer. First elected in 1989, Farmer announced in January that he would not seek re-election in 2007.

Farmer’s unexpected revelation set off a wave of speculation and debate about Jackson’s future. It also insulates the city from an election season focused on a red herring. Farmer’s early announcement eliminates all feasibility of a campaign waged simply on an anti-Farmer platform at a time most agree the community needs to be focused on the future not the past.

Though Farmer can be credited with much progress in Jackson—including attracting professional sports and securing state help to land a Toyota supplier (a $750 million local investment)—he is, unfortunately, equally remembered for less inspired leadership moments, including the time he suggested to a police union representative that he “cram” a letter detailing his union’s concerns, well, somewhere the sun doesn’t shine.

Farmer’s personality aside, Jackson is at a crossroads. With 20 years of unprecedented growth behind it, city leaders are dealing with a large population (60,000 and growing) that needs more and more services. One thing is sure: To keep funding flowing, the next mayor will need to make it easy and desirable for businesses to locate here.

Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce president Paul Latture says business ought to be at the forefront of the next mayor’s agenda. “The whole deal that makes this economy move is jobs and private capital investment,” he says. Local construction company owner Ken Brasfield agrees, saying that to win the industry recruitment battles, the next mayor will need to be a “smooth mix” of businessman and diplomat “active in promoting the city.” Clearly, Jackson’s business class would prefer that one of their own steer the city into the future. One snug fit would appear to be former city councilman John Allen, who has been mentioned as a potential candidate. But the successful, well-known local construction company chief (and Farmer ally) had at press time not yet thrown his hat into the ring. To date, only sitting politicians had publicly expressed any interest in the job.

After 18 years, and at such an important juncture in the city’s history, the stakes are high for Jackson’s business elite. An organized recruitment effort is well in order.