Jackson Jambalaya

Dick Hutchinson submitted the following essay on his candidacy for Madison County District 2 Supervisor.

A former US Senator said he sure was glad that people were willing to stand up and serve the public good but that "anybody who serves in local politics such as mayor or supervisor, MUST have a screw loose as they have no place to hide, like I do in DC." Well, considering I have served my community, though not in office, for the past 27 years, I must have a whole bag of loose screws, but I believe it is my path.

My journey began when I moved to Madison in early 1984. There were only about 3,500 people in this small town, but you could feel the little town was on the move. I became involved in St. Catherine's Village coming to Madison back in 1986 thanks to my business. I befriended the Mayor and Aldermen so I could be a part of Madison's
growth. I helped the city fight developers who wanted to build apartments in Madison. This fight allowed us to avoid the problems currently facing nearby communities which allowed too many to be built. The Mayor later asked me to help develop and expand Liberty Park. Every time I drive past Liberty Park I feel a sense of pride when I see what our hard work produced.

I was appointed to the Madison County Economic Development Authority (MCEDA)four years ago. . This position became one of the most rewarding parts of my life as I worked for economic development for Madison County. As past Chairman and present board member, I have been a part of the expansion of WIN Center, working with existing industry to attempt to keep them in the county and keep folks employed. We were directly involved in the Monsanto operation being built in Flora. MCEDA played a major role in the new sound stage for movie production that just opened in Canton. When the Mayor of Madison came to us explaining the possibility of Tulane University coming to Madison, I, as Chairman at the time, along with the entire board, did what was necessary to make this a reality. When the citizens of Flora found themselves without water, under the direction of the Board of Supervisors, we stepped in, activated a well, and are now providing water to Flora until they get their new well built.

Serving on the Board of Supervisors seems the next logical step for me to give back to a county that has provided me with so much opportunity and happiness in my life.
Economic development must be the offset of this recession. Madison County has been fortunate in that we have been able to "coast uphill". However, the cart is slowing down and if the Board of Supervisors and cities of Madison County do not work together and attack the business conditions before us, we will find ourselves in a uncomfortable situation.

These are serious times for serious people and we must operate, over the next 18-24 months on a "NEEDS" list, rather than a "WANT or WISH" list. We must be aggressive in pushing and promoting our county, making it clear we understand public-private partnerships to entice businesses to locate here. Madison County needs a business incubator, with wet labs to unleash the entrepreneurs we have here. We must address our revenues and cut back whenever and wherever possible to avoid any tax increases. Our infrastructure, which we can't ignore, must be tackled. We must build up our commercial development to balance our "rooftops" while at the same time doing what the Madison County Business League, which I helped found, says in their mission statement- "One Vision-One Voice".

The job will be challenging. It will have its share of critics and back-seat drivers. However, I am looking forward to serving the voters of District 2 if they choose me to be their Supervisor. In closing I would say, yes, maybe I do have a whole sack full of loose screws to apply for this job, but I also bring with it, determination, honesty, courage, and energy to do what is best for the county.

sincerely,
Dick Hutchinson