JACKSON ALDERMEN OK ENGINEERS ROLE

JACKSON -- Jackson city officials have decided it's all right for City Engineer Rich Bowen to grant city approval on his own engineering and surveying firm's subdivision plans.

Some area developers have complained Bowen shouldn't approve plans because he is a partner in Jackson's only engineering and surveying firm, Bowen & Lawson. They say Bowen holds up the approval process for other firms' subdivision plats so clients become frustrated and go to him.

Last year, 19 plats for subdivisions were filed with the Cape Girardeau County Recorder of Deeds, and Bowen's firm had completed 16. The city engineer's son, Chris Bowen, was the surveyor on all 16 and Bowen's signature as city engineer was on all of them.

Mayor Paul Sander and the Jackson Board of Aldermen talked to Bowen about the situation Monday. Sander and the board members haven't heard any complaints about Bowen's position and feel he does a satisfactory job for the city.

Sander said city officials would continue to monitor the situation to be sure "everything is going okay." He predicted Jackson would hire a full-time engineer in the future, but officials there are pleased with Bowen's work and may keep him on as a consultant no matter who else is hired.

"I strongly feel any complaints (about Bowen) should come to the council in regular session," he said. "I promise the council will address any concern that comes before them. But we will not battle through the media about this so-called problem."

Charles Blattner III of Blattner & Associates never spoke to Sander about his concerns but filed a complaint with the Missouri Board for Architects, Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors three years ago. Blattner claimed Bowen was judging his competitors' plats unfairly, nitpicking at details.

The complaint didn't go anywhere and Blattner was directed to file a civil suit, but he didn't.

Anyone can file a complaint with the board, which provides forms so people can specify who they are unhappy with and why. Judy Kempker, administrative assistant, said several actions may be taken by board members against licensed engineers.

"It depends on the seriousness of the problem and if it has been done once or repeated," she said. "It could be as simple as agreeing to let the board monitor an engineer's work for a period of time."

Engineers and surveyors have mentioned they would like action to be taken concerning the city engineer in Jackson but fear Bowen's office would stall their work because they complained.