We are less than one week away from the Jefferson City Council special election to fill a vacancy, and we continue our coverage of the candidates.

Darren Jackson grew up in Aplington, Iowa, and graduated from high school there. His parents ran a grain elevator in his hometown until he graduated from high school, then his family moved to Geneso, Illinois to run a grain elevator there. He has a bachelor and master degrees in history from Iowa State University and American Public University respectively, along with an English teaching certificate from the University of Northern Iowa. Jackson has been a teacher for 20 years, with 11 years being in the former East Greene and Greene County School districts. He was also appointed to fill the city council seat earlier this year.

He says the main issues facing Jefferson are being a viable town with a shrinking population and housing. Jackson believes new businesses will come to Jefferson, after the new career academy opens, because it will mean there will be a better educated workforce. He also believes the opening of the new Jefferson Forge with Accenture, will mean higher paying jobs and more educational opportunities. As for housing, Jackson says Rowland Construction made a proposal to build housing units in Jefferson and asked for a ten-year tax abatement from the City Council. He voted yes and adds that you have to gamble on the future by taking chances like this.

Jackson has previously served on the Grand Junction City Council for several years, is a member of the Grand Junction Horizons Club, Co-President of the Greene County Education Association, and also serves on the Community Players of Greene County and the Bringing Optimism and Opportunities to Students and Teachers (BOOST) boards.

Jackson says he’s running for city council because he encourages his students to participate in local government when opportunities arise.

“I had my students participate in a mock city government simulation over a couple of weeks. As they say, ‘Teachers can inspire students.’ But it was the seriousness and the earnestness that my students used in running their city government that really inspired me. I’m proud to have already voted for some important things on Jefferson City Council, and I hope to be able to continue to do that after June 25th.”

Jackson is running against Michael Mentzer, Amelia Carman and Mark Wright for the June 25th special election.