Jackson aldermen set indefinite terms for three appointed positions

On the eve of an election that will select a new mayor, the Jackson Board of Aldermen voted to give extra job security to three appointed city officials.

On a 6-0 vote, with two members absent, the board voted to eliminate the set two-year terms for the city clerk, the city attorney and the chief of police. In the future, all three offices will be held indefinitely. A vacancy would be created only by the death or resignation of the officeholder or a majority vote by the board.

Previously, each officeholder served a two-year term that roughly coincides with the term of a mayor, city attorney Tom Ludwig said. The city attorney and police chief are appointed by the city administrator. The city clerk is appointed by the mayor.

"The council would have to remove that person to make that opening," city administrator Jim Roach said.

The six council members voting in favor of the change included mayoral candidate Barbara Lohr. Her rival from the council who is seeking the mayor's post, David Reiminger, was absent from the meeting, as was Larry Cunniham of Ward 3.

Ludwig and Roach said the timing of the action has nothing to do with the write-in mayoral campaign of John Graham, who blames a lack of clear information from city clerk Mary Lowry for losing his ballot slot for today's vote.

"We've talked about it for a long time," Roach said.

Graham, however, said after the meeting that he believes the action was an attempt to prevent him from removing any appointed officeholders if he wins the election.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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