CAPE, JACKSON MAY FORGE ALLIANCE (BORDER TALKS, CAPE JACKSON; FIRST IN A SERIES)

The cities of Cape Girardeau and Jackson have long been rivals.

Municipal officials in the two cities rarely communicated with each other and when they did it was with a large dose of mistrust.

The annual battle on the gridiron between the Jackson Indians and the Cape Girardeau Central Tigers historically has been more than just a rivalry -- it has been a grudge match.

Annexation issues divided the two cities for decades. They became increasingly controversial as Jackson continued to expand eastward and Cape Girardeau moved westward.

Today, their city limits border each other, divided largely by Interstate 55 and linked together principally by Highway 61.

But the division has diminished in recent years, thanks in large part to the efforts of Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III and Jackson Mayor Paul Sander.

The two men have struck up a friendship. Thanks to their efforts, the Jackson Board of Aldermen and the Cape Girardeau City Council will hold a joint meeting next month.

The session is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Osage Community Centre in Cape Girardeau. The meeting will be open to the public.

Such a meeting is rare, if not unprecedented.

Cape Girardeau and Jackson city officials and staff members worked together on a joint committee in 1988 in an attempt to reach agreement on annexation issues.

The committee included representatives of both councils, but those talks didn't involve the full boards.

Spradling and Sander view the upcoming meeting as just the start of talks between the two councils.

"I think this is one of the biggest things to happen around here in a long time," said Sander.

"Al and I have said we both need to leave our rivalries on the football field, and this is just another step in that direction," Sander said.

Spradling said the joint meeting is significant, particularly given the cities' contentious past.

"It's monumental," Spradling said of the scheduled meeting.

Spradling said the joint meeting could become an annual occurrence. Sander suggested the joint council meetings could be held quarterly.

The mayors said they decided to set up the joint meeting because both cities have growing pains that need to be addressed.

Spradling said that Jackson has had tremendous growth, which has pushed a number of issues to the forefront.

Discussion at the January meeting is expected to focus on four major issues:

* Jackson's plans for extension of East Main Street to hook up with I-55.

* A state highway bypass project in the Cape Girardeau and Jackson area.

* The possibility of establishing a common water line in case of emergencies.

* Annexation boundaries.

The two councils may act on a fifth item, formally approving an agreement in which both cities would share in the costs of operating the local cable television access channel.

Both Sander and Spradling said the agreement largely has been worked out.

The city of Cape Girardeau has been paying the full cost of operating the access channel.

Under the proposed agreement, Jackson would pay 20 percent of the cost, including recent capital expenses associated with upgrading the electronic bulletin board. The total cost initially to Jackson would be just under $6,000.

In future years, operating costs for Jackson are expected to amount to less than $1,000 plus 20 percent for any other equipment upgrades.

In exchange, Jackson activities and meetings would be added to the televised calendar of events. The TV bulletin board to date has focused on Cape Girardeau events.

Spradling and Sander said it makes sense for the two cities to work together, whether it is lobbying for state highway improvements or deciding on future boundaries.

Sander said that doesn't mean that either city wants to control the other. "Jackson doesn't want to run Cape and Cape doesn't want to run Jackson," he said.

Sander, Spradling and Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones have been meeting informally once a month over lunch for the past four to five months.

Spradling said the meetings initially focused on proposed Interstate 66 lobbying efforts. but quickly led to other issues of mutual concern.

"We've got a very good relationship with Cape Girardeau and the county," Sander said.

Sander said he and Spradling have gotten along ever since they became mayors. Sander has been mayor of Jackson for five years. Spradling has been Cape Girardeau's mayor for about four years.

Sander and Jones have been friends for years.

Spradling said he and Jackson City Administrator Steve Wilson are friends. When a relatively inexperienced Wilson was hired as Jackson's administrator three years ago, Cape Girardeau city staff helped him get up to speed at the urging of Spradling.

Sander said, "It is just a good situation. Instead of looking for ways to get in trouble with each other, we immediately look for ways for cooperation."

Sander said the informal meetings have brought the two mayors closer together and forged a bond between both families.

When Spradling's son took ill, the Jackson Board of Aldermen sent a get-well card to him.

Sander said it all boils down to trust. "A line of communication can solve almost any problem," he said.