[SeMissourian.com] Overcast ~ 67°F  
River stage: 22.23 ft. Falling
Monday, May 21, 2012
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.