Jackson Parks and Recreation director Ison Harris resigns. He is second to resign this week

The director of Jackson's Department of Parks and Recreation Ison Harris has resigned, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba's office announced in a press release Friday.

Harris served the city as director for eight years. His resignation comes one day after the Jackson City Council approved the city's budget, which Harris played a hand in as he was in charge of presenting the parks and recreation budget for the next year.

In his budget, Harris fought for higher security in the Jackson's 57 parks, which led to the council allocating funds to hire five new park rangers. Harris also fought to keep the century-old Jackson Zoo from closing. Council members had discussed shuttering the zoo as a way for the city to save more money during the budgeting process in recent weeks.

"For the past 8 years, I’ve given my all to the department but now I’m ready to step down and allow someone else to have the opportunity to lead Parks and Rec," Harris said in a statement. “I truly am appreciative to my staff for all of their hard work over the past several years. I respect their dedication to this city and the residents that we serve. I am truly indebted to them."

Harris said he wants to spend more time with his family and is ready for the next chapter in his life.

In a statement, Lumumba expressed gratitude to Harris for his years of public service to Jackson.

“Mr. Harris handled the department with integrity and dedication,” Lumumba said. "He has made great strides during his tenure here to consistently and tirelessly reach out to the community and hold events that uplift our Youth and others, as well as significantly upgrade our City’s golf parks and the Jackson Zoo, among many other things. He accepted these challenges amid budget constraints and we are grateful for his service in making the city a better place. I wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Harris' departure is yet another of the city's directors to resign within the week. On Wednesday, the new director of Jackson's Department of Public Works, Khalid Woods, put in his resignation for the second time. Woods first resigned at the end of July after only 11 days on the job.

A month later, Lumumba announced that Woods would be returning after the mayor had further discussions with him. But alas, it seems those discussions weren't enough. After nine days, Woods tendered his resignation again stating that upon his return, "I found that my productivity is not where I would like it to be. I’ve not seen the progress that I wanted to see. Due to the stress of the position and the toll that it is taking on my mental health, I feel as though it is best that I step away from my position permanently."

The mayor's nationwide search to find a public works director continues, along with a second search to find a replacement for Harris.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson's director of park and rec has resigned after 8 years