Mayor Lohr

One of the first things Barbara Lohr did after learning Tuesday night that she had been elected mayor of Jackson was to pledge to work cooperatively for the benefit of the city. Her call for reconciliation was echoed by her nearest rival, Alderman David Reiminger, who has one year left to serve on the Jackson Board of Alderman.

Jackson has thrived in recent years, thanks in large part to the leadership of Mayor Paul Sander. For 14 years, Sander looked for and found opportunities to improve the city. Among his many accomplishments was his role in negotiations with the Missouri Department of Transportation that led to the current construction of a new East Main Street interchange on I-55, a development that will have a huge impact on both Jackson and Cape Girardeau.

That project, like many others, was the product of a close working relationship between Jackson and Cape Girardeau that was fostered by Sander, Al Spradling and now Jay Knudtson. Both cities have benefited enormously from joint meetings and a willingness to seek common solutions to problems affecting this area.

Mayor-elect Lohr can look to the level of cooperation that has existed between Jackson and Cape Girardeau for guidance as she begins her duties at the helm. Indeed, she may find opportunities to expand those relationships, including continued support for such regional initiatives as the MAGNET effort to spur economic and industrial development for Jackson, Cape Girardeau and Scott City.

We wish the best for Jackson's new mayor and look forward to further growth and development for what is one of the finest communities in Missouri.