CAPE, JACKSON MAYORS DISCUSS CITIES' PROGRESS

Cape Girardeau and Jackson are two of the fastest-growing cities in Missouri.

What is good for Cape Girardeau is good for Jackson and vice-versa, say the cities' mayors.

"We're looking to industrial growth in the future," said Paul Sander, mayor of Jackson. "We're working on plans for a new industrial park, and hope to attract new businesses and new jobs to go along with the residential explosion here the past few years."

"1997 was a good year for Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Southeast Missouri," said Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III. "We'll continue working to attract new industry to the area."

Sander and Spradling were guest speakers at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee Friday at the Show Me Center. A large crowd from both cities heard Sander and Spradling discuss projects and expectations of their respective cities, which will be working together on a number of cooperative concerns.

"We're looking forward to a historic meeting between the city officials of both cities this month," said Spradling.

"This is an unprecedented meeting," said Sander. "Both communities have cooperated in the past, but this is the first meeting of city officials to work together on issues good for both towns."

The special meeting will be held Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. at Cape Girardeau's Osage Centre.

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

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

-- A state highway bypass in the Cape Girardeau-Jackson area.

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

-- Annexations.

Sander said he had noticed a lot of changes in meetings of Jackson city officials during his five years in office.

"Five years ago we would have a one-page agenda, with maybe one major item on the agenda," said Sander. "Now we look at three-to-four-page agendas with a number of items on the agenda."

Jackson over the past few years has experienced rapid residential growth.

"Now we're looking at business and industry expansion," said Sander. "Last year the voters approved a $10.5 million bond issue to help in water and sewer projects. We've acquired property for an industrial park north toward Fruitland, and we're hoping the Wal-Mart Supercenter plans will create more growth along East Highway 61 toward Interstate 55."

Sander cited a couple of projects that will help in the city's growth: a new electric substation and a new water well.

Spradling told the group that Cape Girardeau expects another good year.

"The Perryville Road project will start this year," said Spradling. "And we'll continue our sewer projects and flood-control work."

Spradling cited good relationships with public and private sectors.

"One of the big projects has been with the university on road work at New Madrid and Henderson," said the mayor. "This has been a good project."

Spradling also touched on the city's 1997 leaf removal. "The city removed 1,421 tons of leaves," he said. "That translates into 1,717 loads, 3,977 manhours, and 2,745 equipment hours." Those totals are up from a year ago, when the city removed 985 tons of leaves.