Best of the Valley: North Bend maintenance worker John Jackson’s office is the great outdoors

Published 6:08 pm Tuesday, March 29, 2011

As a maintenance worker for North Bend’s public works department, Jackson, or JJ, as he’s known to friends, is responsible for taking care of streets, signs and pipes in the city.

A 30-year resident of the city, Jackson was born in Florence, Ky., and has worked for the city for five years. He answered questions last week about his public efforts, which won him the title of best city employee for 2011 from Valley Record readers.

Why work for the city?

Working for the city gave me an opportunity for a new career, after being a Toyota Master Technician for 30 years, and needing to leave that occupation for health reasons. I have been very blessed for this opportunity, and welcomed the change.

How do you make an impact on citizens’ lives?

I get to work with the public everyday. The impact on the city life and its citizens is keeping a safe enviroment in the maintaining of the roads, and peace of mind in maintaining stormwater and reducing possible flooding.

What might surprise people about your job?

People would be surprised at how much I enjoy what I do, and the satisfaction in seeing a project completed, along with my attitude: the public and the citizens are truly my bosses!

What is North Bend’s most important resource?

North Bend’s biggest public resource is the beauty of the entire Valley, mountains and the vast wildlife we can never take for granted. I refer to it as “my office,” and the citizens could help take care of it all by volunteering. litter pick-up, trail maintenance, and just plain taking pride in what we have. This Valley is unique and something to be proud of, and taken care of, even if you don’t hike or even spend much time outdoors.