FATHER AND SON RUNNING FOR ALDERMEN IN JACKSON

JACKSON, Mo. -- Carl Gene Penzel and his son Philip Penzel snow ski, hunt and fish together, and for many years they worked together in the family construction business. Now they've found something new to do together -- run for public office.

Thursday, both filed for different seats on the Jackson Board of Aldermen.

The elder Penzel filed in Ward 2, where incumbent Kerry Hoffman already has filed for re-election. Philip Penzel filed in Ward 1 for the seat being vacated by four-term Alderman David Hitt. He joins Jackson firefighter Timothy Allen Wright as the only candidates for the position so far. Filing for the board closes Jan. 16.

Father and son said they made the decision to run for office independently and only told each other a few days ago. "I guess we surprised ourselves," Philip Penzel recalled. "We said, Gosh, what are we going to do? Then we said, Let's just go for it."

Gene Penzel didn't know his son was interested in running for the board. "I think he's got enough to do," he said good naturedly.

Gene Penzel retired last year as president of Penzel Construction Co. after working in the family business since 1959. Philip Penzel now is president and chief operating officer of the company. He also owns Arrowhead Steel, a steel fabricating company in Scott City, Mo.

Never before

Mayor Paul Sander, who is running for re-election, cannot recall a parent and child running for the board during his involvement in city government, which dates to 1986. Sander's father, the late Leonard Sander, served on the Jackson Board of Aldermen 30 years before the current mayor was first elected to the board. The mayor's grandfather, C.H. Sander, also served as mayor.

Raymond Reiminger, father of current Alderman Dave Reiminger, served on the board, though not at the same time as his son. Former alderman Jack Piepenbrok and his father, the late Martin Piepenbrok, both served on the board at different times.

Carl Talley, city administrator from 1972 to 1994, could not recall a parent and child running or serving at the same time during his tenure.

Gene Penzel said his candidacy is no reflection on the job incumbent Kerry Hoffman has done. Said Penzel: "He has been a good councilman. I have nothing bad to say about him. May the best man win."

Served once before

He served two terms on the board beginning in 1963 but did not remain on the board because a construction project in Kennett, Mo., forced him to drive back and forth to Jackson to meetings.

He has maintained an interest in city government through the years, he said, particularly in bringing industry to town. He has served on the Jackson Industrial Council for more than 20 years. He also served two terms with the Industrial Recruitment Association.

Philip Penzel graduated from the University of Missouri at Rolla in 1986 with a degree in engineering and is a registered civil engineer. His engineering and business experience "could be very helpful to the city of Jackson," he said. "I feel Jackson is growing at a rapid pace and wanted to offer my contribution to the community by helping with long-range planning to keep up with the rapid growth."

The timing is right for him to run, he said. "I have wanted to do it for many years, but I felt we had good representation with David Hitt in there."

Penzel Construction Co. has done a number of street and bridge projects for the city. Currently the company is putting a cover over a city reservoir. Philip Penzel said he would abstain in any vote involving his construction company. Gene Penzel said in most cases the issue won't come up because bids are competitive and the city usually accepts the low bid.

The city's legal counsel would determine whether he should vote, he said.

He and his wife, Sandy, have two children, Andrea, 10, and Allison, 7. Gene Penzel has two grown children.

His other son, Chris, also is a Jackson resident but told his father he definitely isn't going to run.

Incumbents Valerie Tuschoff in Ward 3 and Larry Hall in Ward 4 also have filed for re-election and so far are unopposed.