COMMUNITY UPDATE: MAYOR SAYS GRANTS WILL BENEFIT CITY

Jackson will directly benefit from the recent approval of three separate grants. The total of all three grants comes to nearly $1 million. A brief description of each grant and its effect on Jackson is as follows:

-- A fire act grant from FEMA totaling $83,617 of which Jackson is responsible for a 10 percent match. This grant will consist of about $17,000 in firefighting equipment and about $66,000 in personal protection equipment. By continuing to update our emergency services we help ensure the highest possible level of public safety for all our citizens.

-- A Department of Economic Development grant totaling $149,125 of Community Development Block Grant funds for road improvements. This infrastructure improvement will assist the city in developing a street extension in the area of Midwest Sterilization Corp. In return, Midwest Sterilization has committed to expand its facility and hire more employees over the next two years.

-- A Special Area Land Treatment (SALT) grant totaling $750,000. This grant, which will directly benefit Jackson and the surrounding out-county area, is being directed by Stan Murray of the Cape County Soil and Water District. This cost-share grant will be available for landowners to construct projects that aid in erosion and sediment reduction along Hubble Creek. This is a major step in addressing erosion and sedimentation concerns along Hubble Creek, which runs through Jackson.

For information on these available funds to Cape County residents, contact Murray at 243-1467, Ext. 3.

An engineering contract has been approved to re-design the intersection of Route D and Farmington. This intersection has become highly traveled and needs to be made safer and more practical. After the design work has been completed, the city will be in a position to go out for bids for this needed improvement. This project will be done in total cooperation with MoDOT because Route D is a state highway. We are confident this project will now move forward in a timely manner.

On July 13, our city administrator Stephen J. Wilson will leave us for a supervisor's job in the Lake of the Ozarks with the Missouri Conservation Department. Steve has done a great job during his nearly seven years as city administrator. His tenure in Jackson will be remembered as one of much progress and growth. We all are sorry to see Steve go, but wish him, his wife, Marci, and sons, Travis and Michael, all the best. I know no matter where Steve and his family are they will always be strong supporters of Jackson and friends to many, many Jackson area folks.

Also on July 13, a new city administrator will begin his duties. Jim Roach, our public works director, was the unanimous selection of the Board of Alderman. The Board of Alderman and I feel Jim is well versed and totally involved in all aspects of the city's operation. This includes being a main player in the annual budget process. We feel Jim will be a team player who can build on the many successes Jackson has enjoyed the past several years. Please give Jim Roach your support in working toward the betterment of Jackson.

The Council meets every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall in Jackson. The public is always welcome.