ALDERMAN INCUMBENTS TAKE AIM AT NEW TERMS IN THE CITY OF JACKSON

JACKSON -- The four members of the Jackson Board of Aldermen whose terms expire in April have decided to run again.

The filing period opened Tuesday and will close Feb. 4 at 5 p.m.

Candidates who have filed include Ward One Alderman David Ludwig and Ward Four Alderman LeRoy Brown, who filed Tuesday; Ward Two Alderman Phil Johnston, who filed Wednesday; and Ward Three Alderman Glenn Oldham, who filed for reelection Thursday.

Ludwig, 45, now the senior board member, is completing his sixth term in office. He was first elected in 1980.

Ludwig said his 12 years on the board have been a rewarding experience. "We've seen a lot of major improvements in the city since I've come on the board," he said.

Ludwig mentioned the waste~water plant improvement project, the various street improvements made possible by the city transportation tax, the widening of East Jackson Boulevard, and extension of water, sewers and electrical service on East Jackson toward I-55.

"All of this will help prepare Jackson for the continued growth and expansion that is coming," said Ludwig. "The recent census proves that Jackson is a growing community. I want to make sure that growth is orderly and that we are able to serve residents and business and industry in Jackson."

Ludwig said in the near future Jackson will have to look at some sort of voluntary recycling program.

Ludwig is employed as an account representative with Moore Business Forms of Cape Girardeau. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1968 with a bachelor of science degree in marketing management and is a graduate of Jackson High School.

Ludwig is a past secretary and board member of the Jackson Jaycees, and a member of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Elks Lodge in Cape Girardeau, and the American Legion in Jackson.

Ludwig served with U.S. Naval intelligence in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. His active duty ran from 1968-1972.

In addition to his duties as alderman, Ludwig has also served the past six years as mayor pro tem.

Ludwig lives at 420 Donna with his wife, Janet, who is an accounting teacher at Jackson High School.

They have two children, Tracy, a student at Southeast Missouri State University, and Jason, 13, a student at R.O. Hawkins Junior High School.

Johnston, 37, will complete his second, two-year term on the board in April. He was first elected to the board in 1988 and is also a member of the power and light committee.

Johnston is a life-long resident of Jackson. He resides at 350 Cathy Drive with his wife, the former Paula Prater of Jackson, and their two children, Deanna, 7, and Dana, 13.

He is employed at the Lee-Rowan manufacturing plant in Jackson.

Johnston is a 1973 graduate of Jackson High School, and he attended Southeast Missouri State University.

Johnston has enjoyed watching the city grow and develop during his two terms in office and would like to continue to serve the people in his ward and the city.

"I would particularly like to see the development of Litz Park by building a road into the park so it will be more accessible," he said.

Johnston is a past member of the Jackson Jaycees, where he served in a number of local, regional and state offices.

Brown, 57, is also completing his second term as alderman. He retired Dec. 31, 1991, as a staff training manager at the Procter and Gamble plant north of Cape Girardeau.

Brown has lived in Jackson since he was 10 years old. He moved to Jackson with his family from Ste. Genevieve County.

Brown and his wife, Wilma, have two grown children, Dennis E. Brown, and Deborah Welker, along with four grandchildren.

Brown considered stepping down from the board this year, but he said with his early retirement from Procter and Gamble he now has more time now to devote to city affairs.

"I hate to take on any project or assignment and not have enough time to get the work done," said Brown. "Now I have all the time I need to devote to my activities on the board."

Brown said his 34 years of managerial experience, including 22 years at the Procter and Gamble plant, give him the necessary skills to help manage and plan for the future of the city.

If re-elected, Brown said he plans to continue working with the street committee on new projects and improvements, and on a community block grant application for improvements to streets and housing in the city's low income areas.

"We plan to send the application in by the middle of the year," Brown said.

Oldham, 54, has served 2 terms on the board. He was first elected in 1986 to fill out the unexpired term of Alderman Paul Sander, who moved into another ward.

Oldham and his wife, Mary Sue, live at 865 Strawberry Lane. They have three grown children, Steve Brown of rural Jackson, Lisa Dost of Sikeston, and Dee Ann Lorberg of Gordonville.

Oldham is a life-long resident of Jackson. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1957.

He is employed as a sales representative for the Coca Cola Co. in Jackson.

Oldham is a past member and president of the Jackson Jaycees, and also held state and national offices with the Jaycees.

Oldham said he enjoys his work as an aldermen. "It has given me an opportunity to learn more about city government and to be a part of the growth and development of the city," he said. "I see continued growth ahead, and I would like to be involved in the planning for that growth."

In particular, Oldham said, as a member of the power and light committee, he wants to see the completion of an electrical distribution loop around the northeast edge of the city.

"Right now we have a power line along East Jackson Boulevard, but there is no backup for the line," he explained. "By completing a loop around the northeast part of the city, we can provide uninterrupted electrical service in the event of an emergency."

Candidates for board of aldermen may file at the city clerk's office Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.