The Late Barbara Jeter-Jackson Honored

POUGHKEEPSIE – When the late Barbara Jeter-Jackson, longtime public servant, passed away in May of 2020, Councilman Chris Petsas honored her legacy with a mini-library in front of Poughkeepsie City Hall. On Saturday, Petsas was joined by several elected officials, community members, and Jeter-Jackson’s family members to dedicate the library and a tree planted in her honor at city hall.

Petsas began constructing the mini-libraries when the pandemic struck last year. With the help of donations, his vision is to place one at each city park. The free books are available for anyone to take, and the Poughkeepsie Public Library District has teamed with Petsas to keep the libraries stocked.

At the dedication, Mayor Rob Rolison recalled Jeter-Jackson’s commitment to the city, which included serving on the City of Poughkeepsie School Board for 16 years, beginning in 1978, and the Poughkeepsie City Council from 1994-2003.

Jeter-Jackson served on the Dutchess County Legislature from 2004 until her passing in 2020. The lifelong Poughkeepsie resident was currently serving on many boards including St. Simeon Senior Housing Corp., and Real Skills Network, Inc. “She had a quiet dignity and loved this great city,” said Rolison.

Rolison’s sentiments were echoed by Senator Sue Serino, Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, and County Executive Marc Molinaro, and County Legislator Barrington Atkins, who was appointed to fill the seat held by Jeter-Jackson.

Longtime friend of Jeter-Jackson, Pastor Jesse Bottoms of the Beulah Baptist Church, called the planting of the tree in her memory a fitting tribute. “Trees are God’s gift and so was Barbara,” said the Reverend, who pointed out that trees provide oxygen and do great things. “Barbara was a tree,” he proclaimed.

Petsas installed the mini-library in August of 2020 and enlisted mural artist Franc Palaia to paint Jeter-Jackson’s portrait on one side and a beehive, the city logo, on the other side. “Barbara was instrumental in my successes in public service,” said Petsas. “She was a truly inspirational woman.”

The first ward councilman told the attendees of the success of the free library at city hall. Petsas said that, to date, more than 1,900 children’s and teen books, 250 DVDs, 50 CDs, 15 audiobooks, and 625 adult books have been borrowed by readers.