FIRST DAY OF FILING: ONLY BOARD OF ALDERMEN INCUMBENTS APPEAR

JACKSON -- The man sitting in a lawn chair in the City Hall vestibule at 5:45 a.m. Tuesday morning was Alderman Larry Cunningham. On the first day of filing for the April 7 aldermanic election, the Ward 3 incumbent wanted to be first in line so his name would appear first on the ballot.

But if Tuesday's filings hold, he missed some sleep needlessly. Only incumbents filed for the four seats up for election on the Jackson Board of Aldermen.

Also filing for seats Tuesday were David Reiminger in Ward 2 and Fred Leimer in Ward 4. Alderman David Ludwig, who represents Ward 1, was out of town Tuesday but was expected to file for re-election today.

The deadline for filing for the election is 5 p.m. Jan. 20.

This will be Cunningham's second run for election. In his first outing, he unseated longtime alderman Glenn Oldham by only five votes.

Based on that experience, getting his name on the ballot first is "a precautionary measure," he said. "Statistics prove those whose names are listed first have somewhat of an advantage."

He said passage of the city's $48 million water and sewer bond issue in August was perhaps this board's major success. "I can't take any credit for it but we all worked as a whole to get it accomplished," he said.

With growth in the city booming, its aging infrastructure was a big concern, he said.

Passage of the bond issue was "a big plus for the citizens of Jackson," he said. "Water and sewer rates are going to go up, but it was one of those things where we had to do something."

If re-elected, Cunningham plans to make this term his last. "I think more people need to participate," he said. "I've gotten my feet wet for the first two years and I have learned a lot."

Cunningham formerly was involved in a house appraisal business and is a real estate agent associated with Century 21 Dutch Realty.

Along with Mayor Paul Sander, who also is in real estate, Cunningham has been accused in this newspaper's anonymously-submitted Speakout column of having a conflict of interest in the city's dispute with Holigan Homes.

Jackson and Holigan have sued each other over the developer's opening of a model home and temporary sales office in its Savannah Ridge Subdivision.

"I'm looking out for the citizens of Jackson," Cunningham said. "I don't have a personal interest in anything."

Cunningham and his wife Sheila have been married for three months. Together they have three children and one grandchild.

Fred Leimer, who is completing his second term, also is proud that Jackson voters endorsed the water and sewer bond issue. He'd like to see that those lines going in over the next two years.

Leimer also is happy that the city has decided to extend East Main Street as a cure for its burgeoning traffic load.

"I'd like to see Main Street make a major move toward the interstate in these next two years," he said.

He was not surprised that no rush of new candidates appeared at City Hall Tuesday.

"I think the majority of the citizens of Jackson are happy with us," he said.

Leimer, owner of Leimer and Wessell Construction, has one son.

Dave Reiminger is running for his fourth term after beginning his service in 1993 by finishing out an unexpired term. He has never been opposed in an election.

"That aggravates the other (aldermen)," he said humorously.

He thinks the lack of challengers underscores how well the current board works together. "They do a very admirable job," he said. "They enjoy it so much they look forward to it. There are hardly any absences."

Two years ago, Reiminger said one of his goals was to update the city's comprehensive plan. That plan is due to be completed very soon. Another goal was getting sewers to Grandview Acres. The city began accepting bids on the project Dec. 1.

"I'm looking forward to the next term if I'm that fortunate," he said.

Reiminger is enthused about the recent announcement that the Board of Aldermen will meet in an historic joint session with the Cape Girardeau City Council in January.

"I'm looking forward to meeting with the Cape City Council. Nothing but great things can happen," he said.

"I think it's about time."

He is the owner of Overhead Door Co. He and his wife Fay have three children.

Ward 1 Alderman David Ludwig is completing his 16th year on the board, which makes him the body's longest-serving official. He and his wife Janet have two children.

Ludwig has lived in Jackson all his life and is a Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Navy. He and his wife Janet have two children.

He is an account representative for Moore Business Forms Inc.