Name: Marilyn L. Lewis 

Age: 59

Occupation: Retired business owner

What is the best long-term strategy to revitalize Jackson's economy?

Jackson has a recent history of neglecting its commerce. I would re-direct staff that Jackson's first priority is the retention and development of business and commerce. We need to encourage citywide support for the Jackson Revitalization Committee and plans for upgrades for Main Street shops and business, while maintaining short-term rent stabilization. We also need to consider redevelopment for the larger commercial properties that vacated to Martell.

What do you see as the greatest threat to Jackson's character and quality of life?

Jackson's vision statement of preserving our past, enriching our present and building our future has not been adhered to. The city's failure to adopt historic design guidelines has allowed the historic area to deteriorate, such as the old Buscaglia's demolition. The city council must stop putting developers' interests above the business operator and resident concerns.

What's the best decision the Jackson City Council made in 2007-08? What's the worse?

The best 2007-08 decision of the city council was to place two measures concerning Jackson Hills on the ballot, leaving the decision of the large development up to the voters. The worst decisions were disenfranchising hundreds of city voters by: 1. at the request of the developer, taking the two Jackson Hills measures off the ballot, 2. ignoring the hundreds of protest signatures to place the sewer and water rate increases on the ballot, 3. spending $30,000 for the city attorney to fight local voters' constitutional right to petition their government.

Home Depot has suspended its application to build near the Argonaut and Kennedy mines in Jackson. When the company's application was submitted, critics called the plan the ultimate assault on Jackson's character and scenic beauty. Proponents of the plan claimed it would bring in needed jobs and tax dollars. Did you support Home Depot's original proposal to build near the Argonaut and Kennedy mines? Explain your position.

Jackson has a historic gold mine-era past with small shops and offices. Why would Jackson want to look like "Anytown USA." It makes absolutely no sense to bring in new development that will close existing tax paying business and forever alter our rural way of life. The proposed site for Home Depot was wrong. The view off Highway 49/88 would have destroyed our historic small-town value. There also was no community acceptable access to the site.

Main Street merchants in Jackson now claim, almost universally, that the board of supervisors' decision to move the county courthouse away from Main Street had a devastating impact on their businesses. What can the Jackson City Council do in the future to work more cohesively with the board of supervisors in order to ensure the survival of Main Street Jackson?

Unfortunately, we've had years of county and city officials with their own agenda that did not represent the concerns of downtown or the needs Jackson. District 1 has elected a supervisor, John Plasse, who is willing to work closely for Jackson and the city's needs.