JACKSON, Miss.—Just over 100 days into his term as mayor of Jackson, John Horhn said that while the city faces many challenges when it comes to housing, infrastructure and recreational opportunities for young people, he sees just as many opportunities for growth.
He delivered his first State of the City address on Tuesday, Oct. 21
“There are some wins we’ve accomplished during our first days in office, but there are some challenges that will take more time,” the mayor said as he delivered his first State of the City address on Tuesday.
Some of those accomplishments include the creation of the City’s Housing Task Force for more oversight of the city’s landlords, a new agreement with the county for street resurfacing, and renewed collaboration with state legislators to identify problems and plan for Jackson’s future, he said.
The crowd at the mayor’s address included other elected officials, like Jackson City Council members Brian Grizzell, Vernon Hartley, Kevin Parkinson and Kenneth Stokes, as well as Hinds County District 4 Supervisor Wanda Evers and Mississippi House Rep. Justis Gibbs.
‘Every Resident’s Right to a Safe Home’
Voters nominated John Horhn as the Democratic candidate for mayor in April, ousting former mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba. Horhn served for over three decades as a state senator and ran for mayor of Jackson four times before securing a victory in the June general election.
The administration faced a crisis early on when, weeks into his term, water utility company JXN Water disconnected service at Blossom Apartments—one of several multi-family complexes the company said owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid water bills.
The dispute between the agency and landlord, Tony Little, left tenants scrambling to find new housing arrangements. The situation is ongoing, but nonprofit organization Stewpot Community Services—which serves the homeless as well as those under imminent threat of becoming homeless—helped move residents into temporary housing and supported their search for permanent housing.
Volunteers with Jackson Public Schools also pitched in to help students who lived there.
In addition to the City’s Housing Task Force, Horhn’s administration has assembled the Unhoused Task Force to address homelessness in the capital city, the mayor’s office announced on Oct. 20.
Tuesday evening, he pledged that the administration would “fight for every resident’s right to a safe home.”
“No landlord should put a family in harm’s way or cut off basic services,” he said. “We’re committed to making sure residents of Jackson have access to water and a safe home and we’re taking actions to support them and encourage all landlords to do right by their tenants.”
The Democratic mayor thanked Republican Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and state leaders for supporting his efforts. Earlier this month, Hosemann announced that the Senate Study Committee on Jackson will strategize on economic development opportunities in the capital city.
“With the city entering a new chapter, the time is now to pursue opportunities that will increase tourism, attract investment, enhance downtown, and promote future growth,” Hosemann said.
A second group, the Senate Study Committee on Housing, will focus on the statewide housing market and increasing accessibility for first-time home buyers.
Horhn called Hosemann’s announcement “an important step forward for both Jackson and the State of Mississippi.”
‘We Haven’t Given Up on the Zoo’
While campaigning for office in April, John Horhn said that, if elected, his administration would facilitate a market-value analysis of Jackson’s housing stock and overall assets.
On Tuesday, the mayor said that much of his comprehensive plan for the city’s development and economic goals will center around results from that analysis.
“What assets do we have? What are the conditions of our schools? How are our universities preparing the next generation? What shapes are our roads in? Our water system and our sewer lines?” the mayor said.
His speech brimmed with optimism for the city’s future. He said the city needs more police on the streets and applauded the coordinated efforts of the Jackson Police Department and the Capitol Police Department, as well as nonprofits focused on young people like the Juanita Sims Doty Foundation.
Still, the City has more work to do in areas like blight elimination, workforce development and formulating a long-term plan for the Jackson Zoological Park, the mayor said.
“This city was built for a quarter of a million people, but it’s home to 144,000 citizens now,” Horhn said. “That gives us open space and that’s an opportunity. I believe it’s time we reimagine our vacant and dilapidated spaces as opportunities. Instead of empty lots and overgrown corners, we can create new green spaces, vibrant urban farms, places that bring life back into our neighborhoods, provide fresh food options and turn blight into beauty for the people of Jackson.”
The City announced on Monday, Oct. 20, that Wicker Construction will repair large water leaks that led to high water bills for the ailing Jackson Zoo. With the help of state and federal tax credits, Horhn said, he envisions a zoo that can once again be a place “where families can spend their days and children can make fun memories.”
“We’re still shaping that vision, but we haven’t given up on the zoo,” he continued.
With the confirmation of engineer Lorenzo Anderson as the public works director on Sept. 30, the City has begun to rebuild that department. However, Jackson remains without a parks and recreation director to oversee operations and maintenance at the more than 50 parks across the capital city, as well as the zoo.
Following his speech, Horhn told the Mississippi Free Press his administration recently spoke with several candidates for the position and plans to present a suggestion to the Jackson City Council as early as the next week.
‘Our Story Is Still Being Written’
Mayor Horhn made a bold prediction as he wrapped up his speech: “Jackson’s best days aren’t behind us. They’re in front of us,” he said.
“I know the challenges we face, but I also know the potential that lives in every block, every school, every small business and every person who calls Jackson home,” the mayor said. “Our story is still being written. The work ahead is still being written. It will not be easy, but we are rising.”
Marcus Wallace, who ran against Horhn in the Democratic primary for mayor earlier this year, also attended the address. He said that while he would like the City to do more to support local businesses, address crime and coordinate city-wide cleanup efforts, he trusts Horhn’s leadership.
“His motto on the campaign was ‘Jackson is Ready,’ and now it’s, ‘Jackson is Rising,’” Wallace told the Mississippi Free Press following Horhn’s speech. “I can see that Jackson is rising. We are turning a leaf from (previous administrations).”
