Mayor: Don't Expect Layoffs

Mobile Mayor Sam Jones said Thursday night that despite the national economic downturn, the city should be able to make it through this year without any layoffs.
Jones talked about the economy, his health and other issues before receiving a special honor.
The mayor was named the Mobilian of the Year for 2008 at a reception and dinner sponsored by the Cottage Hill Civitan Club.
Randall Eckhoff with the Civitan Club said the purpose of the program is "to select one citizen on an annual basis that has just done an outstanding job to make Mobile a better place."
Mayor Jones said, "When people in the community single you out as being someone who has made a contribution to the point where they want to name you Mobilian of the Year, then it has to be one of the premier awards that any citizen can receive in the city."
Jones is being treated for multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that destroys bone tissue.
He said, "I'm doing great. I'm doing great. I feel fine. I'm back to work."
And the illness is not stopping him from running for re-election in August.
When asked if he would be up to the task, Jones said, "Oh sure. I don't have any physical limitations whatsoever. I'm running now so, I think that's really something that's going to happen."
Jones said tax money from the annexation of the Tillmans Corner area has helped the city's coffers.
As for the economic downturn, Jones said, "If this goes into next fiscal year, then I'm sure that we will see some problems with this economic downturn, but as of right now, I think we can make it through this year without any hiring freeze, without laying off anybody, without cutting back services, and, for a city our size, that's saying a whole lot today."
Jones is the 60th person to win the Civitan award, and he's the first African-American.