This is part three of a three-part series on Jacksonville’s newly elected councilmen. Truman Norred was appointed to the Jacksonville City Council upon Jeff Shelton’s departure in the summer of 2007. During the August 26 election, he was voted into the position for a full term.During the last year, Norred’s biggest learning opportunity came in the form of the budget. In 2007, he joined the council shortly before it was approved and he wasn’t able to see the process it took to create it. This year was different.
“It’s a lot more complex and a lot more complicated than you would imagine with all the different departments and I think the biggest eye-opener was dealing with the budget. Last year, when I first got on the council, it pretty well had been worked out. But this year, dealing with all the wants and wishes of the different departments, I probably should say the needs. They’re not wishes and wants, they’re more needs, not extras or not something over and above,” said Norred.
Because of his history volunteering with the Jacksonville Fire Department, Norred feels a particular affinity for the city’s emergency services.
“I’d like to see us expand the number of police officers. As our town grows, we’ve not added more personnel,” said Norred, adding that he could easily envision situations where the police force could be stretched too thin to cover the needs. “As our town grows in population, we’re going to need more police and more firemen, more paramedics.”
When Norred joined the council, he took over not only Shelton’s council seat, but his committee appointments as well. In that capacity, he has served as chairman of the council’s parks and recreation committee. He hopes to continue service on that committee during the next four years.
“I would like to be on the PARD’s committee because of the parks and everything that we’re talking about doing. I could get really involved in a park and the tree ordinance and the Tree City, those types of things,” said Norred, who is a member of the Jacksonville Garden Club, Calhoun County Beautification Board and a master gardener.
Norred already feels close to some of the departments in the city because of his past experiences and knowledge. He hopes that by the time the upcoming term ends, he will have that same knowledge and closeness with all areas of the city.
He is thankful for the way Mayor Johnny Smith and his fellow council members took him in hand through the past year and explained each project and procedure fully, guiding him through the process as he learned his way and found where he could serve best.
“It has been an educational experience. It’s been good. Being on the council, you get more insight into what is really going on. Most of the time you get orientated before the community becomes aware of those things, which is good because you see the needs or the problems before it really surfaces,” said Norred.
And he would like to every area of the city, whether it is a city department or not, receive the support they deserve from the city.
“Of course, I’m a public school and a library supporter,” said Norred, adding he would like to see the schools and library get the funding they need. “I certainly want our school program to stay above par, which I think it is. My children received a super education in the Jacksonville School System and I certainly want those who follow after us to receive the same benefits, as far as education is concerned, that my children received.”
