BAKER NAMED JACKSON ALDERMAN

JACKSON -- Joe Bob Baker, whose family has been in the auto salvage business in Jackson for 30 years, was sworn in as Jackson's newest alderman Monday night.

Mayor Paul Sander appointed Baker to fill the unexpired term of Alderman Fred Leimer, who resigned from the board last month.

Baker is the owner of B&B Auto Salvage on Highway 72 West in Jackson and lives in Ward 4. He has not previously served on a city board.

Sander said he received a number of applications for the position. He chose Baker, he said, because of his business experience.

"He is a longtime local business owner who has shown an interest in serving and shares the idea that Jackson's continued progress is important to the community," Sander said.

"I also liked the idea that he has no special agenda."

Baker said he wants to be part of helping guide Jackson's growth.

"We need the big businesses, but we don't want to lose sight of the small businesses," he said. "I worry about that a little bit."

People who have lived in Jackson a long time like its small-town atmosphere, he said.

"There has got to be a middle somewhere," said Baker. "I don't want to see us get real big. We like it here."

Baker's term will expire next April.

He and his wife, Joy, have two children: Ryan, 21, and Kandra, 17, a senior at Jackson High School.