Reception honors Jordan and Rakestraw for service to Union County -

A retirement reception honoring two long-serving members of the Union County Board of Supervisors drew about 200 well-wishers Thursday afternoon.

Retiring Board of Supervisors President Danny Jordan and his family

Board President and Third District Supervisor Danny Jordan and Fifth District Supervisor Benny Rakestraw were honored by their families and friends at the event in the second floor courtroom at the Union County Courthouse.

Jordan will have served more than 30 years on the board when he retires in January 2016. He has served as the board’s president for the last eight years.

Rakestraw has represented the Third District since his first term began in January 1996.

During their years of service Jordan and Rakestraw were involved in a great many improvements that enhanced the life quality of Union County residents. Among the men’s most noteworthy accomplishments:

Bennie Rakestraw, longtime District Five Supervisor and his family

The county owned hospital was leased to Baptist Memorial Healthcare System of Memphis, which has developed the local hospital into one of the top such facilities of any rural hospital in the country.
The New Albany campus of Northeast Mississippi Community College was established.
More than 400 miles of rural roads in the county were paved for the first time during their service on the board.
Jordan and Rakestraw and the Board were closely involved in recruiting the Toyota manufacturing facility and its associated manufacturing plants, resulting in billions of dollars in private investment in Union County and the creation of several thousand jobs.

To read more about the accomplishments of which Jordan and Rakestraw are the most proud, see: Fifty years of service.