Unsung: A Love Letter To The People Who Keep Jackson Running

Every city is carried by people most residents will never meet. They are the ones who answer the phones, process paperwork, repair problems, respond to complaints, maintain public spaces, support departments, manage services, solve emergencies and keep the machinery of local government moving. Their work is not always visible, and it is not always easy. But in Jackson, it touches every neighborhood.

City employees are often the first to hear frustration and the last to receive thanks. They work through budget pressures, public scrutiny, aging systems, long days and the daily challenges that come with serving a city they know and love. Many of them are not just employees of Jackson. They are residents of Jackson. They live in the same neighborhoods, drive the same streets, worship in the same churches, send their children to the same schools and share the same hopes for the city’s future.

On Friday, June 26, 2026, the City of Jackson held its annual Employee Appreciation Day at Urban Air Adventure Park near the corner of Ridgewood Road and County Line Road. The afternoon included food, door prizes, giveaways, family activities and an awards presentation recognizing special achievements. But the heart of the day was not the venue, the zipline or the celebration itself. The heart of the day was the people being celebrated.

Jackson Mayor John Horhn shared that message in remarks during the event and later in a post on Instagram.

“Our City of Jackson employees are the heart of everything we do,” the post read. “Every day they show up ready to serve our residents, solve problems, and help move our city forward. Their hard work, commitment, and pride make a difference in every neighborhood, and I am grateful for all they do.

“Employee Appreciation Day was a great opportunity to celebrate the people who keep Jackson running. It was an honor to spend the afternoon with our employees and their families, present awards of recognition, and even ride on the zipline. Moments like these remind us that a strong city is built by dedicated people who care about one another. Thank you for everything you do. Jackson is stronger because of you.”

Those words point to a truth that is easy to overlook. Cities do not run on buildings, budgets or agendas alone. They run on people. They run on the commitment of employees who return day after day to do work that is necessary, complicated and often underappreciated.

Toya Martin, Jackson’s Human Resources Director, said the annual gathering is intended to make sure employees know their service is recognized.

“It’s just a good thing for us to do to show the employees: we see you, we appreciate you,” Martin said. “A lot of these city employees live in the city of Jackson. They live in these neighborhoods and they have very strong neighborhood associations… so partnering with the neighbors and having them mingle with the employees that they talk to every day… it’s definitely a good opportunity.”

That connection between city employees and the neighborhoods they serve is part of what makes their work so meaningful. For many employees, public service is not abstract. It is personal. When they help solve a problem, answer a concern or support a department, they are serving their own community. They are helping neighbors, families, friends and fellow residents.

It deserves recognition because city employees help hold Jackson together in ways large and small. They are part of the city’s daily rhythm. They are there during ordinary weeks and difficult seasons. They continue working when the challenges are obvious, when resources are stretched and when the expectations placed on local government feel especially heavy.

Martin noted that this year’s appreciation came during budget season, a time when many city employees feel additional pressure. That made the moment of recognition even more important. Previous events have included health fairs, food trucks and outdoor gatherings, but this year’s indoor setting offered employees and their families a chance to relax in a different way.

Many employees brought their children, who spent the afternoon bouncing, climbing, swinging and laughing throughout the facility. Parents and coworkers visited with one another while families enjoyed a few hours set aside not for work, but for gratitude.

The city partnered with Too Tall Events and Urban Air to host the event. Tim Kemp, manager at Urban Air, said the facility was glad to welcome city workers and their families.

“We wanted to give something back to the city,” Kemp said. “This is actually our first big event like this.”

Ma’Kenzie Brook with Too Tall Events said bringing people together outside the office helps build stronger connections.

“There is no better feeling than getting everybody together in one place,” Brook said. “You can see people outside of the office and really just build bonds.”

Still, the most important message of the day was simple: thank you.

Thank you to the employees who show up before the public sees the work.

Thank you to the employees who stay late, answer the call, solve the problem and keep moving.

Thank you to the employees whose names may never appear on a program or press release, but whose labor makes city life possible.

Thank you to the employees who serve Jackson not only because it is their job, but because it is their home.

A strong city is built by people who care enough to keep showing up. Jackson’s city employees do that every day. Their work matters. Their dedication matters. Their presence matters.

Jackson is stronger because of them.