CITY IMPROVEMENTS UNDER WAY FOR JACKSON

Jackson will soon have a new fire truck rescue engine to better protect our residents and their property. A low bid of $ 315,000 was recently accepted to purchase a new state-of-the-art fire engine and all the needed equipment that goes with it. The Council had budgeted $350,000 in the 1998 budget for this important purchase. We can expect delivery of our new fire truck in about 90 days.

Alderman Kerry Hoffman, Dave Reiminger, Val Tuschhoff, City Administrator Steve Wilson, Public Works Director Jim Roach and I recently toured the Lee-Rowan facility in Jackson. LeeRowan is a very important cog in the wheel of industry in Jackson. All of those attending the tour were impressed with the broad product line and the efficiency of operation at Lee-Rowan. We look forward to continuing the strong spirit of cooperation with Lee-Rowan and the city in the future.

The city hopes to benefit from the efforts of the soon-to-be-hired executive director for the Chamber of Commerce with the creation of new jobs for our residents and increased sales tax revenues. Assistance to existing business and the location of new business will help ensure a continued strong retail, commercial, and industrial climate in Jackson for many years to come.

We are in the process of accepting bid proposals for the completion of phase one (Shawnee Street to Oak Hill Road) of the East Main Street extension. Construction should begin late this summer and if all goes well, completion of Phase 1 should take place by around the end of 1998.

Lots of city improvements will soon be under way with the replacement of the Washington Street bridge, the Old Cape Road bridge and East Main Street Phase 1 extension. Please pardon our progress as we try to improve safety and traffic flow in Jackson.

The new city water well is nearing completion. When this new well goes on line it should add 500 gallons of water per minute to our water system in Jackson. Future water needs in Jackson continue to be a top priority of the council.

The Jackson Jaycees and chairman Dave Murphy are working hard to coordinate the biggest and best Fourth of July celebration ever held in Jackson. This year's events will be spread over two days, July 3 and 4 and will once again end with a large fireworks display. Many thanks to the Jaycees for helping make to this annual celebration a success.

My father, former Circuit Clerk and County Commissioner Leonard F. Sander recently was stricken with a very serious illness. A countless number of wonderful friends have given my family and I a tremendous amount of support during our time of need. On behalf of my dad and my family I thank everyone for their concern, prayers and support.

The council meets every Monday night at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall in Jackson. We welcome your input and suggestions on how we can better our growing community.

Paul Sander serves as mayor of Jackson.