This is part two of a three-part series on Jacksonville’s newly elected councilmen. On October 7, Mark Jones garnered 67.5 percent of the vote for Place 2 on the Jacksonville City Council. Jones, who has been the director of recreational sports at Jacksonville State University since 1984, has run for council before, but this will be his first term in office.About eight years ago, Mark Jones was approached by friends who felt he would be a good candidate for the Jacksonville City Council. Jones didn’t run that year, but when election time came again in 2004, his name was on the ballot.
“I thought about it, I guess from 2000 on, so in 2004 I just decided to do it,” said Jones.
Jones conceded the election before the runoff then three years later put in an application when councilman Jeff Shelton left office before his term was over. He was one of 14 candidates vying for the seat that ultimately went to Truman Norred.
A little over a year later, Jones finally has a council seat to call his own as he defeated Bob Baker in the Oct. 7 runoff election.
“I’ve always been one to try and take an active role in things I get involved with and hearing different people asking me to do it, that they thought I would be good on it, I thought that would be a good challenge. I know it’ going to be a challenge and I’ll soon find out exactly how it’s going to be,” said Jones.
Jones has run not because he wanted the prestige of a council seat or because he wanted to be in a leadership role. He chose to run purely because he wants to play a small part in continuing to make Jacksonville a wonderful place to live.
“Keeping that cycle going of improving the quality of life, bringing in more people, and bringing in more people hopefully brings in more jobs, which brings in more revenue, which can lead to improving the quality of life even more. Just keeping that cycle going,” said Jones. “When you’re talking about the quality of life, you’re talking about education, recreation and the business and industry.”
And he wants that satisfaction that comes from doing good things on behalf of your neighbors and friends, whether they acknowledge that good deed or not.
“I’m looking forward to hopefully making a difference, and when I say hopefully making a difference, not to get a pat on the back from anyone else, but just knowing myself that I made a difference,” said Jones. “It’s kind of like in giving a gift, the most rewarding gift is the one that no one knows who gave it, a lot of times.”
Though he has been a part of Jacksonville State University for many years, Jones wants residents of the city to know his votes as a councilman will not be based on his day job, but what is best for the city.
“I want it to be known that, although I work for the university, serving on the council the city will be the first priority. I do believe the university is an integral part of the city and it helps make the city what it is, but my first priority will be the city when serving on the council,” he said.
Since he has known since 2004 that he ultimately wanted to be on the council, he has tried to stay abreast of things going on throughout the city, though he freely admits he still has a lot to learn.
“I have no doubt there’s a lot of things I need to know,” said Jones.
Jones will begin that learning process with an orientation session given through the Alabama League of Municipalities this month. He has also been gaining insight from one of his competitors back in 2004, Charles Notar, who has served on the city council for 16 years.
“Charlie Notar has already helped me considerably and I’ll probably continue to lean on him,” said Jones.
He also plans to spend time talking with Mayor Johnny Smith to gain insight on his duties as a councilman and to learn more about the city.
Jones says that he is looking forward to getting past his first council meeting on Nov. 10.
“It’s kind of like the opening kickoff of a football game. The buildup to it is worse than once it finally gets going and everything takes care of itself,” said Jones.
