BUSINESSWOMAN FILES FOR JACKSON'S WARD 3 SEAT

JACKSON -- Races will take place for two of the four Jackson aldermanic wards and for the city collector's office in the April 2 municipal elections. Races also have developed for two, two-year seats and a one-year unexpired seat on the Jackson R-2 Board of Education.

Meanwhile, Carlton Meyer will apparently have no opposition in his bid for a 10th consecutive term as mayor.

The deadline for candidates to file for municipal and school board offices occurred at 5 p.m., Tuesday.

A race for the Ward 3 seat now held by Leonard Dambach was assured late Tuesday when businesswoman Valerie Tuschhoff, 324 Elwanda Drive, filed for Dambach's seat on the Board of Aldermen.

"We have a fine and upstanding community, and I want to see it continue to grow," Tuschhoff said Tuesday. "We've grown through the years, and I've seen a lot of change in the 36 years I have lived in Jackson. I have seen our residential areas grow and I'd like to see our commercial areas grow along with them."

Although women have served in the past on the board, there has been none on the board in recent years. Tuschhoff is the only woman candidate running for a seat on the board.

"I've had a lot of people ask me to run," she said, "and I had been thinking about it for a couple of years."

If elected, Tuschhoff said she has no special agendas or projects other than to see the continued growth and development of Jackson.

Tuschhoff has lived in Jackson 35 years. She was born and raised in Friedheim in northwest Cape Girardeau County.

She is married to Sgt. Norman Tuschhoff of the Jackson Police Department. They have two grown children: Leon and Sondra.

In addition to raising a family, Tuschhoff worked at a Cape Girardeau dress factory for 28 years. She later worked for a furniture manufacturing company in Lutesville. Six years ago she opened a furniture reupholstering shop in Jackson that now employs four people.

Tuschhoff is a member of the Emmanuel United Church of Christ, where she serves in a number of positions, including church council and Sunday school teacher for 28 years.

She is an active member of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson Merchants Association. Tuschhoff is a charter member of the Jacksonian chapter of the American Businesswomen's Association and is past president of the organization. She was selected Jackson American Businesswoman of the Year in 1989. She is also a charter member and newly-elected president of the newly-formed Cape Girardeau County Rotary Club.

Ward 1 Alderman Paul Sander will be opposed by Mike Baker, while Ward 2 Alderman Kevin Sawyer and Ward 4 Alderman Jack Piepenbrok are unopposed.

Two newcomers are running for the city collector's job now held by incumbent Delores "Dee" Uren. They are Ward 2 Alderman Phil Johnston and assistant deputy collector Beverly Nelson.

Three candidates have filed for the two, three-year terms on the school board. They are the two incumbents, Jack Knowlan Jr. and board President Larry Koenig; and Alan Crites.

Those seeking the one-year unexpired term of former board member Nancy Schafer are Ronald L. Obermann and Jeanette Bollinger.