ALDERMAN'S WIFE CHARGED WITH ASSAULT

JACKSON, Mo. -- A city of Jackson employee married to Alderman Dave Reiminger has been charged with assaulting the Jackson Junior High School principal with her vehicle and with verbally attacking the Jackson High School principal.

Martha F. Reiminger was charged Tuesday with third-degree assault and peace disturbance in connection with an Oct. 3 incident at the Jackson Band Festival. Both charges are misdemeanors.

Reiminger is charged with injuring junior high school principal Steve Lukens by striking him with her Ford Explorer. She also is charged with calling principal Rick W. McClard a "son of a bitch" in a face-to-face confrontation "likely to produce an immediate violent response from a reasonable person," according to the complaint.

Lukens sustained an injury to his knee, according to the prosecutor's probable cause affidavit.

The incident was witnessed by numerous people, including Lt. Robert Bonney, Sgt. Howard Hammers, Officer Scott Eakers and Officer Rodney Barnes, all of the Jackson Police Department.

Reiminger declined comment on the incident.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle filed the charges against Reiminger. The city turned the case over to Swingle's office because of the conflict of interest for the Jackson municipal prosecutor.

Reiminger has worked for the city for 12 years. She held the position of deputy city clerk until her duties were renamed "customer services-accounts payable" in a recent city re-evaluation of employee jobs.

City Administrator Steve Wilson said the incident took place while Reiminger was off duty. "She wasn't acting in her capacity as a city employee, and in fact was on vacation time," he said.

The third-degree assault charge carries a punishment of from one day to one year in the county jail or fine of not more than $1,000 or both imprisonment and a fine. The disturbing the peace charge carries a punishment of from one day to six months in the county jail or a fine of not more than $500 or both imprisonment and a fine.

Reiminger has been summoned to appear before Associate Circuit Court Judge Gary Kamp Oct. 30. She is represented by attorney Sam Drusch.