JESTINE “JESS” JOHNSON IS PRESENTED with the “Outstanding Midway Citizen” award at the Sept. 18 Midway City Council meeting. Pictured from left, Eugenia Johnson (Mr. Johnson’s daughter), Mr. Johnson, Mayor Stacy Thurman, Councilmembers Dee Mason, Logan Nance and Sara Hicks. (Photo by Scott White) The Midway City Council recognized Jestine “Jess” Johnson as the “Outstanding Midway Citizen” for his fifty years’ service on the Midway Fire Department at its Sept. 18 meeting. Johnson is still a member of the department and is its oldest member. He was also recognized for his 70 years of service as the custodian of Midway Christian Church. In presenting the certificate, Mayor Stacy Thurman said it “is important to recognize and celebrate citizens who make important contributions – they are who make our city what it is.” The certificate says Johnson “is a fixture of Midway and embodies the character, strength and integrity that this town was built on.” Thurman declared Sept. 19, 2023, as Jestine “Jess” Johnson Day. “I am a man of few words, maybe just two —Thank you,” said Johnson. The council set Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. for Halloween trick-or-treat. Councilmember Sara Hicks announced that the city, with the help of state government, will be doing a “walkability/disability” access study of Midway’s streets and sidewalks over several walkabouts and hopes residents will join them. The group will note hurdles, barriers and other issues impacting both walkability and disabled persons. The study will then inform what is needed to address and correct the issues discovered. Hicks emphasized that she hopes folks of all ages, for example parents with strollers, will participate. She said the walks will be scheduled in early evenings and Saturdays to boost turnout. Thurman said the walk schedule will be posted on Midway Musings, at the post office and at City Hall. The council also approved permits for the Frozen Rails 5K to be held Jan. 1 at 2 p.m. with proceeds going to the Midway Ministerial Association. It also announced the closing of Main Street on Nov. 11 for the holiday kickoff event. The City Council approved two requests for funding from the Midway Merchants Association: a 50-50 split of the best bid for installing more power outlets and waterproofing all of them on Main Street which is estimated to cost approximately $6,600 ($3,300 to the city), and a $3,000 donation towards the total $25,000 cost of annual maintenance of the decorative outdoor lighting on Main Street buildings.