Former mayor is current mayor's pick for Jackson alderman seat

Editor's note: The following story has been edited to clarify the nature of the investigation into then-mayor Paul Sander, including its conclusion and to clarify that Sander did not seek re-election when Barbara Lohr succeeded him.

Former Jackson Mayor Paul Sander is current Mayor Dwain Hahs� pick to fill the Ward 1 board of aldermen seat vacated by Phil Penzel�s departure earlier this year, according to the agenda for Monday�s board meeting.

Hahs said by phone Friday he thought Sander would be a great choice to fill the seat until April�s municipal election.

�In the last couple of months, since Phil [Penzel] had resigned, I talked to a few people about serving on the board of aldermen, and for some, it wasn�t the right time, some were thinking about it,� Hahs said. �I had talked to Paul [Sander], and he said he would be glad to serve during this interim period until we have our next election in April.�

Hahs cited Sander�s previous experience in city government as an asset.

�He has a lot of experience. We can use his experience over this next time period as we go into next year,� Hahs said.

Hahs acknowledged Sander�s mayoral term was not without controversy.

�There�s always controversy in politics, in a small town,� Hahs said. �I felt that the positive things Paul had done in town, such as the East Main Street extension, the interchange at Exit 102, and other things he did really brought a lot of valuable experience.�

In 2003, Sander faced an investigation he influenced the purchase of the 60-acre industrial park property, manipulated annexations and zoning charges, picked friends for city committees, and he used city resources outside city limits to locate a sewer line on a property � which he then earned a real-estate commission from when it sold, all according to earlier reporting by the Southeast Missourian.

At the time, Sander called the investigation �politically motivated.�

The Missouri Attorney General's office cleared Sander of the accusations.

Sander was elected to the Ward 1 alderman seat in April 1987, according to Southeast Missourian archives.

He was elected mayor in 1993 and served until 2007, when he decided not to seek re-election, and Barbara Lohr won the election. Sander was defeated in the election for Cape Girardeau County Clerk by newcomer Kara Clark-Summers.

Hahs was elected in 2015.

Sander has coached high-school baseball in the intervening years.

Penzel is CEO of Penzel Construction in Jackson. He stepped down from his board of aldermen seat in May, citing potential conflicts of interest � his construction company pursues design-build projects, and the City of Jackson will use that process for future projects.

As an alderman, Penzel would have to recuse himself from meetings and votes concerning projects, according to earlier reporting by the Southeast Missourian.

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

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