A Tradition of Loudmouths and Malcontents
By Brad Flory JTV One punishment of a career toiling for newspapers is being forced to spend mind-numbing periods of time watching local government meetings. Influenced by self-pity or perhaps beer, I once attempted to determine how much of my lifetime was frittered away at meetings of boards, commissions, committees, councils, blue-ribbon panels, and task forces. To my shock, I conservatively estimate at least nine months of waking hours. Oh, the humanity! Being a seasoned spectator of boards in action is nothing to brag about, but it qualifies me to make an important observation to the Jackson City Council: Loudmouths and malcontents will never treat you with the respect you believe you deserve. Never. Local government is a magnet for complainers called “gadflies,” creatures defined by my dictionary as “ones habitually engaged in provocative criticism of existing institutions.” Gadflies ridicule public servants, and some are remarkably devoted to that task. Most are not crazy, but they often seem obsessed. By nature, they are tenacious, blunt, and insulting. Some shout and wave their arms, and others attack in a quiet, businesslike manner. Thirty years ago, a gadfly stood at a third-rate board meeting in Jackson, pointed at the person in charge,…
Inosencio reaches new heights for Western
By Gary Kalahar (Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports) Staff Writer Alex Inosencio has some very lofty goals to reach in the next six weeks. And if anyone doubts he can reach them, well, they probably don’t know him very well. Inosencio has his eyes on several significant achievements before he finishes his senior season as a pole vaulter on the Western High School track and field team. A look at how quickly he has progressed, and a conversation with him regarding the pole vault, is all that’s needed to see that his aim is realistic. “Alex definitely has the talent to meet his goals,” said Jerry Sessions, coach at Landon Athletics, a club dedicated to the pole vault where Inosencio has trained for the last year and a half. “His biggest attribute is his positivity. If he continues to do what he’s doing, with hard work, he will achieve all his goals.” Actually, the first two goals are already checked off. In just the third meet of the season, Inosencio cleared 15 feet, 1 inch.…
Sunny and Pleasant
High pressure will provide sunny and pleasant weather today before a cold front on Friday ushers in chilly weather for the weekend. Highs on Saturday will struggle to reach 50 degrees. The cold snap will be short lived however and above normal temperatures in the 70s are expected for much of next week. Today: Sunny, with a high near 64. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Light south southwest wind. Friday A 30 percent chance of showers before 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. West northwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Friday Night A chance of rain showers after 8pm, mixing with snow after 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. North northwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Saturday A 30 percent chance of snow showers before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. North northwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 55. Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 35. Monday Sunny, with a high near…
Thursday, April 26, 2018
Derek Dobies, Jackson Mayor; Matt Curfman, President & CEO, Richmond Brothers & Dan Vredeveld, Financial Advisor; Joel Freehling, Cascades Humane Society Volunteer bringing Bow Wow Film Festival to Jackson; Angela Machnik, Lost Railway Museum Fundraiser; Matt Swartzlander, Jackson Co. Chamber of Commerce; Monica Witt, Jackson Coffee Company
Events of Thursday, April 26, 2018
Jackson College Career Expo. Jackson College invites college students, alumni and community members to a Career Expo on Thursday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Bert Walker Hall, Rooms 144 & 145, on Central Campus. Many state and local employers are hiring. If you are graduating and looking for your next step, this Career Expo is for you! The job fair is free of charge to job seekers and is open to the public. Please dress professionally and bring multiple copies of your résumé. Eastern Movie Matinee featuring Will Smith movies all this month at the Eastern Branch, Jackson District Library. Join us for some great films all month long. Widescreen, comfortable seats and popcorn too! Thursday afternoons starting at 2 p.m. Today: Hitch (2005, PG-13) Red Cross Blood Drive. 9 AM to 2:45 PM, Hanover-Horton High School, 10000 Moscow Road, Horton. Red Cross Blood Drive. 12 N to 5:45 PM, Calvary United Methodist Church, 925 Backus Street, Jackson. “The Sandlot” film at the Michigan Theatre. Come learn about the Jackson Sports Collectibles Show on April 28th at Optimist Ice Arena! FREE film presented by Jackson Sports Collectibles Show. Doors open at 5:30 PM Film starts at 6:00…
