David JacksonKIMBALL, Tenn. - After 24 years on the Kimball Board of Mayor and Aldermen, it will be a bittersweet day for Marion County Mayor-elect David Jackson when he steps down from his current position Sept. 4.
He has been the town's mayor for 11 years.
"I think the town will be in very good hands," Jackson said.
After defeating incumbent John Graham by 27 votes in the May primary and Republican Paul West in the Aug. 7 general election, Jackson will become county mayor Sept. 1.
At next month's city meeting, Jackson will tender his resignation to Kimball's board, effective immediately.
Vice Mayor Rex Pesnell will be sworn in and finish out the remaining two years of Jackson's term.
The board will appoint someone to fill Pesnell's seat for the remaining two years of his term.
Officials said there will be no Kimball mayoral election in November because all of this will happen after the 90-day qualifying period for candidates.
"Rex will do an excellent job and will continue the things we've had going here," Jackson said. "With his leadership and the board working with him, there's no reason they cannot continue to do great things."
Alderman Mark Payne joked that after a few days in the county government, Jackson might want to come running back to Kimball.
"I knew what I was getting into when I ran," Jackson said. "There are things we need to do to move this county forward, and I am looking forward to the job. There will be some changes made, but we're going to get this county rolling."
Payne agreed that if Jackson does as well at the county level as he's done in Kimball, Marion residents should expect great things in the future.
Jackson credits the successes in Kimball to board members who have worked well together on issues over the years.
In his new role, Jackson said one of his first goals will be to establish and maintain a good working relationship between the county and its municipalities.
"I'm going to work at it 24/7, and I'm going to expect a lot of help from a lot of people," Jackson said. "We'll lay our plan out on the table. It will be aboveboard, just like it's been here. There will be no hidden agendas on my part."
Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.