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River stage: 35.41 ft. Rising
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Jackson continues to grow (06/04/13)
Jackson's slogan is the "City of Beautiful Homes, Parks, Schools, and Churches." Things are happening in each of those areas. We have had a great deal of activity in home sales. During the month of April, there were 22 new homeowner accounts who signed up for utilities in the city. In addition, we had 35 new renters. (Records for the month of May have not yet been completed.) Building permit values so far this year total $9.5 million...
Farmers market kicks off busy month in Jackson (05/07/13)
May is another busy month in the city of Jackson. The farmers market is starting its season today. It will be open from 3 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday in the City Park by the band shell. There will be approximately 12 vendors selling craft items and produce...
A busy month for outdoor events in Jackson (04/02/13)
Could it be that spring has finally arrived? I sure hope so because there are many outdoor activities scheduled in April in the city of Jackson. All our school sports and the youth sports leagues are in full swing. The Jackson Elks are sponsoring a skateboard contest at the Jackson skateboard park on Saturday. It is an open competition and there is no preregistration. Be there at 9 a.m. to enter the competition...
Legislative conference in Jefferson City informs city officials (03/05/13)
Even though it was a short month, February was very busy. Besides routine meetings and day-to-day tasks, there were quite a few special events. The month started with a retirement ceremony and reception on Feb. 1 at city hall for our longtime library director Sally Pierce...
Annual report highlights accomplishments of city employees (02/05/13)
The city of Jackson recently completed the Annual Accomplishments Report. The first report came out in 2001 and was initiated by Jim Roach in his first year as city administrator. His idea was that by putting a document in print, each department would take time to evaluate seriously the work accomplished in the previous year. The departments also were asked to state their goals for the upcoming year...
Looking back on a productive 2012 for Jackson (01/02/13)
As we reflect on 2012 and look forward to 2013, these have been good times in Jackson, city of beautiful homes, parks, schools and churches. In the "homes" area, the city has issued permits for more than 60 new single-family residences this past year. This is the largest number of new single-family home starts in the last eight years. In addition, there are 28 proposed town-house units by Ashwood LLC. The first building is under construction now...
Several Christmas events scheduled in Jackson (12/04/12)
Wow! Christmas activities have already begun. Both Cape Girardeau and Jackson have already had their Christmas parades. This week we will have a flurry of other Christmas activities in Jackson. On Thursday, we would like to have you join us in the Jackson City Park around 6 p.m. ...
City tour and celebrating our veterans, education week (11/06/12)
October is probably my favorite month of the year, and this October has been beautiful. We were all worried that the summer drought would mean less color on the tress, but I thought the trees were as pretty as ever. October has also been a very busy month. We started with many activities to celebrate and support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We closed the month with the Pink Moon Run/Walk on Oct. 28 to support breast cancer research...
Breast Cancer Awareness Month and government conference (10/02/12)
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During this month, you will see a lot of pink in our area. Both Cape Girardeau and Jackson are participating in the Pink Up campaign benefiting the Dig for Life program originally started by coach Cindy Gannon and the women's volleyball team from Southeast Missouri State University. With the help of Saint Francis Medical Center the program has grown tremendously...
Decision on sales tax to be made by voters (09/04/12)
In July I gave you information about the Southeast Missouri Medical Center wanting to provide a new community center for the citizens of Jackson. The medical center is a not-for-profit organization formed by Jackson residents back in the late '60s for the purpose of improving health care for the citizens of Jackson and the surrounding area by offering incentives to recruit doctors. At the time Jackson was served by Drs. J.N. Jaeger and E.F. McDonald, who were both nearing retirement...
Back-to-school in Jackson (08/07/12)
In the city of Jackson, when the Homecomers week of celebration is over, we all get in the back-to-school mode. I hope the weather cooperates and gives us some nice crisp fall weather. As an old teacher, I always get excited about the start of school. It was always fun meeting new students and getting to visit again with co-workers you haven't seen for a few months...
Jackson's Fourth of July festivities and a community center (07/03/12)
As we all prepare to celebrate our Independence Day, we want everyone to have an enjoyable -- but safe -- Fourth of July. Please remember the city of Jackson ordinance that states that "no person under the age of 17 shall possess, discharge, ignite, or explode any article of fireworks unless under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian." Because of the extremely dry conditions, we strongly recommend that people have quick access to water before setting off any fireworks...
Concerts, sports and other events in Jackson (06/05/12)
Summer is a busy time in Jackson. Activity in the park picks up a great deal with baseball and softball league games going on. With two grandchildren participating in those leagues, I am one of those spending extra time in the park in the summer. The swimming pool opened May 26. It is a popular spot in the summer. For questions about the swimming pool or for swim lesson information, call 243-8343...
Encouraging area youths to learn about government (05/01/12)
The Missouri Municipal League, an organization composed of most of the cities in Missouri, has declared the week of April 30 to May 4 as Local Government Week. During this week, each community can highlight the various services delivered to the citizens of that community. Because it is so vital to keep citizens informed about what is happening, I am serious about my responsibility for writing this article and my weekly column in the Cash-Book Journal...
A progress report for Jackson (03/06/12)
To keep citizens up to date on the city's progress in 2011, here is a summary taken from the annual accomplishments report that was just completed. This report encourages each city department to look at what was accomplished during the previous year. The city has been compiling this report for the last 10 years, and it is a very informative document...
Farming and products made in Jackson (02/07/12)
Since so much of Cape Girardeau County is considered rural, most of us surely are aware of the importance of our agricultural economy. Farmers and ranchers make up only 2 percent of the U.S. population. In Cape Girardeau County we have approximately 1,500 farms, up 20 percent from 2002...
An explanation on annexation in Jackson (01/04/12)
In order to give you the history surrounding the friendly annexation of approximately 238 acres of property owned by Heartland Materials and the Hoffmeister family into the city of Jackson, I have to go back to the city's previous comprehensive plan from December 1998...
Some major projects in Jackson (12/06/11)
While many areas of the country are suffering real declines in construction and a loss of jobs, our region has been faring quite well. We congratulate the city of Cape Girardeau on an outstanding project with the Isle of Capri. The activity associated with the construction of the project is certainly good for the economy in our region. However, the creation of about 400 jobs when the casino is completed will have a more long-lasting effect in the region...
Jackson's grant proposals (11/01/11)
Like every other municipality, the city of Jackson is always searching for any grant possibilities that might save money for our city. As a small, fiscally conservative city, we do not have a person on our staff whose principal responsibility is to write grants. Basically, each department seeks out and writes the grants appropriate for that particular department. Since getting very competitive grants requires accurate, tedious work, we are always pleased when we receive one...
Breast cancer awareness and Jackson recycling event (10/04/11)
Jackson and Cape Girardeau are big rivals when it comes to football -- or any other sport or school competition. However, our cities also participate in many cooperative events. We have one of those events going on the entire month of October. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, you'll be seeing a lot of pink alongside our Jackson red and Cape Girardeau orange...
Projects underway and Jackson remembers Sept. 11 (09/06/11)
When I was campaigning for my first term as mayor, I stressed the need for a satellite fire station. I am happy to say that we have completed all the preparation for this project and the goal is near. Tonight at 6:30 we are breaking ground on Fire Station No. 2 on the site at South Old Orchard Road at the base of the water tower. We expect to occupy the new station by March of next year...
Homecomers success and weekend sales tax holiday (08/02/11)
Homecomers week is over. A good time was had by all. My three youngest grandchildren had a good time trying all the rides. I had a good time waving to them as they were riding. Entertainment director Linda Penzel did a great job providing this year's entertainment. ...
Developments and recycling in Jackson (07/05/11)
The city of Jackson is still moving forward on the expansion of Nordenia in our north industrial park on U.S. 61. We are very excited about the project as it will include 50 additional manufacturing jobs, a large investment in equipment and a 175,000 plus square foot building and the possibility of a Community Development Block Grant for the building of infrastructure on the property...
Jackson's uptown dreaming is step-by-step process (06/07/11)
The city of Jackson has been selected as one of Missouri's DREAM communities. In 2006 several state agencies discussed way to assist small to mid-sized communities in economic development, with an emphasis on revitalizing downtown districts. The city of Cape Girardeau was selected in the first group of 10 cities in 2006. ...
Transmission line and fire station major improvements (05/03/11)
When campaigning for my first term, there were two projects that I considered high priority. These were the extension of a 34.5 kV electric transmission line and the addition of a satellite fire station. The electric transmission line was high priority because our big transmission line along East Jackson Boulevard was getting close to capacity during periods of extreme heat or extreme cold. ...
Jackson projects making progress (04/05/11)
Editor's note: Today starts a weekly column by Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City mayors. Since this is the first column I have written for the Southeast Missourian, you might want to know a little more about who I am. I am a retired schoolteacher, having taught 28 years at the Cape Girardeau Vocational School (now the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center). ...
Barbara Lohr
Mayor's Corner: Barbara Lohr
Jackson Mayor Barbara Lohr is one of three local mayors writing weekly columns for the Southeast Missourian.