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By Jill Brown

Mayor Gerald Jackson kicked off the March 9 Belle Vernon Council meeting with praise for his city crews, saying, "The firemen did a good job with the flood situation. They don't get the credit [they deserve] sometimes." He continued, stating, "Our roads were clear. You could see the dividing lines. The road crew did a very good job with that."

Jackson before: Mayor Jackson pauses, knowing it's time for a change as barber Dean Michener waits in background.

Mayor Jackson mentioned that there would be a farmers' market this year. The market will start at a date to be announced, and will be held on Fridays from 3 - 6 p.m. at the park on Main Street. The mayor said it would be good to work on a plan to make the area handicap- accessible.

A resident also voiced his ideas. He began by saying he was pleased with candles in the park last December 24. Then he spoke about the Military Banner Program, which salutes local veterans by publicly displaying a military banner. Members of Belle Vernon Borough who wish to sponsor a banner for display can pick up an application at the Borough office at 10 Main St., Belle Vernon. For questions, call Edward Stasko, Sr. at 724-929-6780.

In personal matters, Mayor Gerald Jackson has an interesting story to share about his "new look." He had been growing his hair since the loss of his son, Casey Casteel Jackson. Casey was a specialist in the Army. While Casey was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, he was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. He passed away on Sept. 4, 2012. Since his passing, the mayor began growing his hair and stood by his decision to grow it long enough to be donated to Children With Hair Loss (CWHL).

On Feb. 14, 2015, what would have been Casey's 24th birthday, Sydney Willson, with the support of her sisters, Madison and Abbymarie, took turns cutting and shaving the mayor's locks. The three sisters helped fulfill the mayor's wishes of cutting and donating his hair in memory of Casey. Sydney, now 6 years old, was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma in March 2010, with no evidence of the disease for the past 4 years.

Also donating their hair are Casey's sister, Rachel Jackson, and Sydney's sister, Madison Willson. Special thanks go to barber Dean Michener, who oversaw and aided in the haircutting process, to Rachel Willson for providing this information, and to Mayor Jackson for agreeing to share his story.

Mayor Jackson after:

Photo Right: A different Mayor Jackson, seated, with (from back) Madison, Abbymarie, and Sydney all beside him, as he proudly displays a picture of son Casey. Barber Dean Michener, who did fine work overseeing the cut and shave, stands behind them.

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