The Chair Is Filled!!

New Marianna City Manager Jim Dean Now On The Job
By Sid Riley

" One way of describing what I am experiencing now as I try to get oriented on everything that the city has underway is that it is similar to trying to sip a drink from a fire hose", quipped Jim Dean as I interviewed him this week. The Jackson County native is very glad to have this opportunity to serve the citizens of Marianna, and the citizens of Marianna are very glad to have him as City Manager.

While we were there Jim Dean gave us an update on several issues that are now before the city. "The Kelson street project is gaining time previously lost on the project schedule, with the paving on phase two of the four phases scheduled within the next few days. Although we are still slightly behind schedule because of initial weather delays, we have gained back some of the lost time during this second phase", Dean explained.

Phase three will be reworking the road between College Street and Jefferson, and the last phase will be from Jefferson to Noland. The work currently being performed at the lift station in this last section is another project that is completely separate from the Kelson project.

Next our conversation led to the Alliance building at the airport industrial park. "That is one huge building", Dean exclaims. "We would like to locate a single tenant, but are prepared to separate the leases into several smaller users if necessary. There is manufacturing space, an office complex, and a huge warehouse. We are excited about the opportunity to bring in new occupants."

Then came the sign ordinance issue. A workshop has been scheduled for May 7th. "I hope we can get a lot of the business people and general public to come to this session and provide our commission with some meaningful input", Dean stated. "I feel that there is a good chance that some worthwhile changes may come from this approach."

While the interview was underway, Lori Harris, the wife of Louy Harris, came in and gave the new City Manager a flower arrangement and a big hug. That seemed to make Jim’s day.

We at the Jackson County Times wish Jim Dean good luck in his important new role.