JACKSON ALDERMEN AGREE TO GIVE $10,000 TO COMMUNITY FUND DRIVE

JACKSON - There will be Christmas decorations this year in the Jackson business district and along East Jackson Boulevard.

That was assured Monday when the Board of Aldermen voted 8-0 to donate $10,000 to a community-wide fund drive to purchase new Christmas decorations. The city's donation will match $10,000 that was raised in the community during a five-month, fund-raising effort, coordinated by the Jackson Chamber of Commerce. Donations came from individuals and civic and fraternal organizations, and Jackson merchants. Money was also raised by the committee at a July Fourth auction and another event at Jackson Homecomers.

Jeff Moore, chairman of the fund drive, asked the board Monday to match the $10,000 raised in the community. Moore said by matching money already raised, the aldermen would clear the way for the committee to order the decorations now and save an additional 5 percent on the purchase price. It also would ensure the decorations would be in place for the Christmas holiday.

In making a motion calling for the city to donate to the Christmas decoration fund, Alderman Glenn Oldham said, "I'm glad to see we're going to get some Christmas decorations this year. We all missed them last year."

The new decorations will be mounted on utility poles and street light poles in the business districts.

Oldham said the current Christmas decorations are 20 years old, and most are in a serious state of deterioration. Moore said there are plans are to purchase additional Christmas decorations each year.

In other business, the board authorized the mayor to sign a contract with Fronabarger Concreters Inc. for improvements to Greensferry Road, near Clark Street. Fronabarger's bid of $90,529.05 was the second lowest bid. The low bid was submitted by R&R Concrete Finishing. That company, however, could not obtain a performance bond, city officials said.

The Greensferry project will lower the crest of a steep hill on Greensferry Road to allow better sight visibility for motorists entering the Greensferry Road-Clark Street intersection. Residents in the area say it is difficult to see eastbound motorists on Greensferry approaching the intersection, or school children trying to cross Greensferry to get on their school bus. The work will not begin until next spring.

The aldermen adopted a new fireworks ordinance. City Attorney David Beeson said the Jackson fireworks ordinance is basically the same as one adopted by the Cape Girardeau City Council. The ordinance will allow the sale of fireworks in Jackson from June 20 to July 4. The ordinance also prohibits the discharge of fireworks on public or private property unless the shooter has the permission of the property owner.

Acting City Engineer Rich Bowen said the contractor will begin overlaying a number of city streets this week. In addition, the large parking lot behind businesses on the south side of East Main and the east side of South High Street will get a new asphalt overlay. Bowen said it should take about five days, weather permitting, to complete the work.