Jones unopposed for fourth term as mayor

By Bill Short

Mayor Terry Jones is unopposed for a fourth term in the Nov. 3 Millington city elections.
A native of Trumann, Ark., Jones spent more than 24 years in the Navy. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1981 from The University of Kansas, a Master of Science degree in operations management in 1997 from The University of Arkansas and has an Aviation Safety Certification from Navy Postgraduate School.
Jones became Navy Junior ROTC instructor at Millington Central High School, then went on to work for Crew Training International. He is currently the owner of a Farmers Insurance Agency in Millington.
He is a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow with The American College and a graduate of Levels I and II of The University of Tennessee’s Municipal Technical Advisory Service Elected Officials Academy.
Jones is a member of the Board of Directors of the Memphis Area Association of Governments, the Millington YMCA and has served on the board of the Millington Area Chamber of Commerce.
He is also a member of the Mid-South Mayors Association, the EDGE Committee, ULI, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Richland Masonic Lodge, Al Chymia Shrine Temple, the Parent-Teacher-Student Associations of all four Millington schools and the First Baptist Church in Millington, where he teaches Sunday School.
Jones and his wife Mary have six children and four grandchildren.
Elected an alderman in 2000, he served one term before defeating fellow alderman Richard
Hodges in a 2004 runoff election for mayor. In 2008, Hodges defeated Jones in a rematch election.
Jones was re-elected in 2012, defeating Kenneth Uselton in a hotly contested runoff race. He won a third term in 2016 when he defeated then-Position 6 Alderman Chris Ford.
He recently responded to the following questions prepared by The Millington Star:

1. What is the first action you will take after you are sworn in to a fourth term as mayor, and why?
   Jones said he will continue to work with the aldermen and the “many facets” of the local government to make the city a “One Millington” for its residents. He said that includes working closely with the Millington Industrial Development Board, Airport Authority, Chamber of Commerce, Municipal Planning Commission and municipal school system.
   “Even with the many challenges that we have faced this year,” he noted, “every employee of this city has contributed to making it possible to provide a balanced budget with no increase in property taxes.”
   Jones said he is looking forward to a “great future” for the residents as the city progresses with its “many projects,” as well as those to come in the future. 
2. List three significant issues in this election.
   He cited businesses, budget and COVID-19.
3. Specifically, how do you plan to deal with each of these issues after you are re-elected?
   Although approximately 27 percent of the revenue of the surrounding communities comes from business taxes, Jones said approximately 43 percent of Millington’s budget is dependent upon that source.
   “This is important,” he noted, “because many businesses have suffered a significant reduction in revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
   In order to provide the services that the city’s residents expect, Jones said he will continue to work with the local mayors, the Shelby County Health Department and the guidance from state and federal directives to reopen Millington’s economy in a “safe and responsible” manner.
   He will also encourage everyone in the community to “mask up” to prevent further spread of the virus and to enable all the businesses to reopen at their “full potential.”
4. What do you think is the biggest concern facing the city at this time?
   Jones cited budget constraints as the pandemic affects Millington’s business community, which has a “significant impact” on the city’s budget.