Jane Myron officially announced Tuesday that eight years on the City Commission is not quite long enough to see through various plans and projects initiated during her tenure.
Myron, 63, told members of the local media and others inside commission chambers that she will seek a third term in the April 23 municipal election.
“When I look back at where Johnson City was when I first took office and where it stands today, I am proud to have been a member of the commission that has made decisions that have allowed our city to grow and improve, providing a better way of life for all of us,” she said.
She cited major infrastructure investments being made to control flooding downtown and a renewed interest in the downtown area with Tupelo Honey choosing to locate in the former Clinchfield train station.
“This new restaurant will join other recent arrivals, such as The Battery, Schmucks and Cafe One 12 Downtown and older favorites, such as Mid-City Grill, Main Street Pizza, Freiberg’s, Numan’s and Capones,” she said. “These restaurants and other downtown retail establishments will be reinvigorated when students at Northeast State Community College arrive for class later this year on the former Downtown Centre and new residential developments such as Paxton Place continue to take shape.”
Myron, originally from Nashville, has lived in Johnson City since 1970. She co-founded the city’s Turkey Trot, which drew 4,144 trotters in November. She operated Black Tie Formal Wear and Jane’s Lunch Box. She is a member of the Johnson City Lions Club, the former Johnson City/Washington County Area Chamber of Commerce president as well as a former member of the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization.
She was elected to her first term in 2005. She became Johnson City’s mayor after Phil Roe resigned to take his seat in the U.S. House as Tennessee’s 1st District representative. Prior to becoming mayor, Myron was vice mayor from 2007—09.
Myron said a few weeks ago that she had been thinking about not running. But she believes there still are issues commissioners need to address, including “streamlining” the city to make it more user-friendly.
“I still have the energy, passion and desire,” she said. “And, I still don’t have any agendas. I’m proud to be part of the many major improvements that have taken place during my time, but we’re not done yet. Our fund balance has grown from $13 million to $21 million in 2012. We have taken advantage of low interest rates and very favorable construction pricing. Our fund balance has allowed us to maintain and actually expand service levels during this economic recession.”
Finally, Myron said that, if allowed the opportunity to continue to serve, “I promise to be energetic and conscientious on your behalf.”
Candidates have until noon Jan. 17 to hand in qualifying petitions.
So far, eight people have picked up petitions: Myron; Jenny Brock, Johnson City Board of Education member; T.K. Owens, who ran unsuccessfully this year for the U.S. Senate; Frank Bolus, a former Washington County Commissioner; William “Bud” Hill, who ran unsuccessfully for a City Commission seat in 2010; Bart Mikitowicz, a project coordinator for Johnson City’s Glass & Concrete Contracting; David Tomita, a Washington County commissioner; and Vance Cheek Jr., a former city commissioner.
As of Tuesday, Bolus, Brock and Myron had filed their petitions.