HOFFMAN, PHILIP PENZEL WIN POSTS ON JACKSON BOARD OF ALDERMEN

JACKSON, Mo. -- Gene Penzel lost his Ward 2 aldermanic race but celebrated the victory of his son, Philip, who won election to a Ward 1 seat Tuesday.

Philip Penzel defeated Timothy A. Wright by a vote of 258 to 100 in the contest to succeed Alderman David Hitt, who decided not to run again after four terms in office.

Jackson voters re-elected Ward 2 Alderman Kerry Hoffman to his third full, two-year term. Hoffman, who was appointed to the Board of Aldermen in 1995, defeated Gene Penzel by a vote of 220 to 188.

Gene Penzel, who served two terms on the Board of Aldermen in the 1960s, said he was proud of his son.

Penzel, who retired last year as president of Penzel Construction Co., said it would have been "kind of unique" had he been elected along with his son. Still, the loss didn't seem to upset him.

"It is just kind of a relief," he said. "I won't have to come in on Monday," referring to the upcoming meeting of the Board of Aldermen.

Penzel remains concerned that Jackson isn't moving quickly enough to make needed water and sewer improvements.

Hoffman said he wants to meet with Gene Penzel to discuss those concerns and look at ways to improve the city.

"I am for making Jackson better," Hoffman said.

Hoffman credited his "grass-roots connection" to constituents in his re-election win.

Philip Penzel had plenty to celebrate, too.

"I am pretty excited about it," he said from his home. "Everybody told me that I was going to do fine."

Penzel said he won't be doing a lot of talking at the start.

"You probably are not going to hear much out of me until I actually sit down and learn what is going on," he said.

Wright wasn't dismayed by his loss.

"I enjoyed it," he said of the aldermanic campaign, adding that he plans to try again in two years.