Editors Note: The following is part of series of profiles on candidates running in Clarksburg’s June 6 municipal election.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WV News) — Marc Jackson is one of 10 candidates running for Clarksburg City Council. Voters will be asked to select three candidates.
— Biography: “Lifelong resident of Clarksburg. Towers Grade School, Central Jr. High, Washington Irving High School. WV Junior College — associate degree. Pierpont C&TC – associate degree x(2). WV Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist — current. WV Licensed Realtor — current.”
— What do you see as the most important issue currently facing Clarksburg and what would you do to address it if you are elected?:
“The biggest problems in Clarksburg are addiction and homelessness. These issues must be addressed to make our city more attractive to new businesses, and potentially new residents. We must also start creating programs and opportunities for our youth. We need to create a team/task force of individuals from the public and private sectors to create resources to address these challenges, while simultaneously working with our elected officials in Charleston to rebuild the infrastructure of our city. I don’t feel as though we have the luxury of focusing on only one problem at a time. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”
— What are your expectations for the newly hired city manager and what do you hope they will accomplish in their first year on the job?:
”I would like to see the new city manager meet with the City Hall staff and department heads regularly to find out what issues need to be addressed, and to make sure all departments are running at maximum efficiency. She will need to get up to speed quickly on the issues our city is facing, and I would like to see a set of goals created with benchmarks to measure progress. Utilizing the skills, talents and abilities of the individuals in the public and private sectors will go a long way to ensuring her success and the progress of our city.”
— What should the city be doing to promote economic development in the downtown business area — should the B&O tax credit program be expanded?:
“To promote economic development downtown, I feel it will be very beneficial to businesses if the city takes the reins in telling our story. I feel we can do more to promote and highlight business in our downtown area. We should be encouraging more downtown activities, but that leads us back to our infrastructure. We must work on the sidewalks, streets and buildings in need of maintenance, because it’s hard to tell someone they need to clean up their house if yours isn’t in order. As for the B&O taxes, I know the current council has been looking at making changes, but before committing to any changes, I want to speak with the finance director to see what effects those changes will have on the city and the people living and working in the City of Clarksburg.”
— How should Clarksburg work to forge stronger ties with decision makers in Charleston?:
“From experience, I’ve found that it’s usually easy to work with our elected officials. In just the past few weeks, I’ve run into Sen. Ben Queen and Delegate Laura Kimble at events here in Clarksburg. I truly believe that if we reach out to them, we can schedule meetings and discuss ways to get support for projects to help move Clarksburg forward. I have learned over the years that, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” I don’t know what our current council has done as far as trying to work with our elected officials in Charleston. But I have been able over the years to meet with state and federal officials to advocate for causes I support, and I would like to take the opportunity to do the same advocacy work for our city.”
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