Meet the Candidates: Dion M. Jones
Proud husband and father, married for over 20 years to Kristi Jones, a son Jalen Jones, 30 and a daughter, 17 who is attending Mississippi State University.
A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, serving overseas as a Marine Security Guard and a Non-Commissioned Officer with 3rd Battalion First Marines.
Currently serving as Vice Chair of the Olive Branch Planning Commission. Served on the Olive Branch Old Town Design Review Board and Board of Zoning Adjustment.
Three – term City Councilman for the City of Roanoke, Texas. Former Precinct Chair and member of the Denton County Republican Executive Committee. Named a delegate to the Texas Republican Convention and served on the Rules Committee.
Chief Operating Officer for Memphis-based Clarion Security, LLC and has over 30 years’ experience in the security industry.
Competitive Youth Soccer Coach for over 20 years and volunteer assistant coach with Olive Branch High School girls soccer team in 2023.
Priorities:
- Essential Services and infrastructure such as roads, water, sanitation, electricity, power, and internet access.
- Emergency and Protective Services, police, fire, and ambulance.
- Public Services: parks, library, walkability, senior services, and partnerships for convention, amusement and entertainment offerings.
- Fiscal Responsibility public input during budget workshops, managing spending and debt management, economic development.
- Managing growth while retaining the feel and appeal of Olive Branch.
I believe in transparency through all phases of city action. Resident input in the planning stage, participation in the budget stage, open dialogue and debate in the decision stage, with updates and feedback through implementation. My priorities will be the guiding principles I reflect on during each issue brought before the Board.
I believe in providing details to the public about the complexity of the issues and all the things city leaders must consider when serving the city. When residents are armed with information, they have a better understanding of the issues facing the city as a whole, the progress and change that is occurring, and the efforts made by both staff and elected officials to ensure longevity and prosperity to Olive Branch.
Olive Branch is ideally situated to take advantage of its proximity to roadways, railways, and our airport, at the northern point of a port state, we are a sought-after location for business. Our state has relatively low labor costs and a business-friendly climate, we have only been held back by our state’s income tax and high interest rates. This may soon change – we must be prepared.
As the Federal Government looks to reform its spending habits, and the State looks to reduce or eliminate the Income Tax, the leaders of Olive Branch will need to be prepared to respond to the potential incremental loss of State Shared Revenues as well as an influx in new investment to our city. The elimination of the state income tax and further reduction in interest rates could uncoil pent up development and investment in the city.
We must also recognize and adjust to the changing habits of the next generations. This paradigm shift is difficult for many to consider based on past stereotypes. Young people are staying single longer, nearly 33% never marry, they are choosing cohabitating over marriage, and keeping finances separate. The median age of first-time home buyers is almost 40 years old. This is vastly different than earlier generations and we can’t ignore this change in lifestyle. This generation desires high-end interiors, low maintenance exteriors, walkability to retail, restaurants, parks and entertainment, they don’t want a yard to mow, a fence to mend, or door frame to paint. If their need is not met, the result is an increasing number of rental homes in our older neighborhoods, like Ward 3. By ignoring the needs of the next generation, we create a large economic gap in home ownership, and force renters into older homes, with additional responsibilities, they don’t want. Apartments are hardly ever popular, but if we don’t fill the need of the single professionals, young adults, and seniors within the city, it will increase the percentage of rental homes and potentially have a negative impact on the look and feel of our older neighborhoods in Ward 3.
I will work with developers to maximize usable open space, identify open space in developments that can be dedicated to the county for schools or to the city as parks to manage, increase walkability to improve neighborhood connectivity and encourage outdoor activity which will improve both safety and security. Development and large-scale private investment can also speed up the expansion and improvement of our roadways. We will work with the state to include bike lanes where feasible with a goal to connect all neighborhoods to our Old Towne district.
We will invest in improving the Old Towne district through grants to existing businesses, incentives to new, unique, destination type businesses, and work with developers and current business owners to create an appealing long-lasting downtown experience that attracts visitors, provides retail, restaurant, and entertainment options.
We will prioritize safety by ensuring that the budget for Emergency Services, Police, Fire, and Dispatch continue to scale with the growth of the city and the increase to the general fund. Additionally, we will put a Resilience program together for our Emergency Responders to address the mental strain these important people face in the course of their duties.
The actions we take to manage growth will always be tempered by our ability to maintain and improve our infrastructure. We have all heard of cities that ignore basic infrastructure needs such as water and sewer, encounter an economic downturn, and come face to face with an inability to maintain the necessities of a city. Our road resurfacing and maintenance plan will become a public document so that neighbors know when their road will be resurfaced or repaired. We will work with the county to inform our residents on the future plans for building new schools and increasing the size of current facilities.
I will work with economic development to attract and pursue diverse businesses to our industrial areas that withstand changing economic conditions, provide diverse employment opportunities, and invest in our city.
Olive Branch has the lowest city tax rate in Desoto County and I believe we can achieve these goals without increasing property tax rates, as we all wait to see what the State and Federal government.
I am endorsed by the current Mayor and the former Police Chief of Roanoke, Texas for my ability to see these goals through. I am the only candidate with the experience and know how to be effective on day one, to work with the Mayor and Board of Alderman from a position of understanding, to move the city forward. The city has done great work under sound leadership. I hope to bring a new perspective, a diverse experience, and a solutions-based, future focused mentality to city decisions. I look forward to working the Mayor, the Board, and all City Staff to
I truly believe that if I have the opportunity to talk to the voters of Olive Branch I can earn their vote. I am having a Town Hall on March 25 at LaBelle Haven Baptist Church, I hope that people come out to see me, and I truly hope that people choose me on April 1, 2025 when they cast their vote in the Republican primary.
Note: This item has been bought and paid for by the candidate.
