As of this writing, we are coming off another night of severe weather warnings and watches that hit this area Sunday night. Second weekend in a row. The first round on March 14 and 15 resulted in damage to this area and I spent the next seven days doing damage assessment through the Carroll County Emergency Management Agency. Last week, I received many calls coordinating these recovery efforts including state, county, and municipal officials. In the mix of calls I was making on our storm recovery came a call from the artist, Gavin Bird from Belhaven.
Back in August 2024 last year it was first proposed to have a JZG Jaguar mural painted at the intersection of George Street and Main Street, the entrance to the school. The town secured the funding, and we had been working with the artist on a day when weather was permitting and working out a bus and traffic route with the school. Last week Gavin called to workout Friday for the day. Although I was busy with damage assessments, I told him let’s go with it to get it done. I got to work to line up the fire department to spray the street the night before, close the lane and work out the traffic with the school. As the week progressed toward Friday, everything fell into place, despite my continued work on storm damage repairs.
Gavin has painted all our murals here in town. It has been an investment with tourism funding and grant funding. Back in 2019 when voters here in North Carrollton approved the two percent tourism tax, it has been tremendous for the town to be able to make investments from beautification and other enhancements that we couldn’t otherwise afford. Through this effort we are making our town reach its full potential.
Gavin made it to town on Friday, and this time brought a fellow artist. By Friday night we had the JZG WAY Jaguar mural completed. As difficult as the week started with the tornado, as the sun set Friday night on the Jaguar mural here on George Street, the week ended on a positive note. It’s important for all communities to have projects that are positive, and productive. Now on to building on these accomplishments in 2025.
Ken Strachan serves as the mayor of North Carrollton is a member of the Mississippi Municipal League Board of directors, and is a member of the MML education committee.
