J. Garfield Jackson
James
Gerrish
Recently (5/10/13) Local Talk News Editor Dhiren Shah
asked Third Ward Candidate J. Garfield Jackson: "Why are you running for the 3rd Ward council
seat?"
Jackson's answer was: "I've lived here all my life. The
reason I am running is to support Carol Clark for mayor. She has
the power and understands the needs of today."
I prefer to have a Third Ward resident on the council who is more
than a "yes" man for whomever is elected mayor. What if
Carol Clark doesn't get elected but Jackson does. What then? He
seems to have no ideas of his own that are not dependent on Carol
Clark.
Later on in the interview, this position is reinforced when
Dhiren Shah asks: "You are an admirer of Carol Clark. If
some resolution comes and it is against her policy, what would
you do, if the two of you got elected?"
Jackson answers: "I trust Carol's instincts and her
relationship with the community. As I have joined her and support
her, I don't see that changing in the future. I've known her a
long time."
In essence, if both Carol Clark
and J. Garfield Jackson are elected to the respective offices
they are seeking, Carol Clark will be holding down at least two
jobs- hers and his. I find this unacceptable.
Since J. Garfield Jackson does
not have a Facebook page nor a Web site of his own, I had to base
my entire opinion on this one interview. I don't feel happy about
that, but I can't make the candidate explain himself any better
than he has.