JACKSON AND CAPE AGREE TO LAND SWAP

JACKSON -- A 2,000-foot section of Old Cape Road East that swerves back toward Interstate 55 south of Highway 61 will be detached from Cape Girardeau and annexed by Jackson.

The land swap, taken at the second annual joint meeting of the two cities' governing bodies Monday night, is of relatively minor consequence but symbolizes how a new spirit of cooperation between the two cities can work.

The fact that Cape Girardeau long ago had annexed land that logically belongs inside the Jackson city limits came out during discussions by an annexation committee the two councils formed at their first joint meeting in January 1998.

In contrast to the crowded historic first meeting at Cape Girardeau's Osage Community Centre, Monday's meeting at Jackson City Hall was attended almost exclusively by council members, city staffers and members of the Cape Girardeau County Commission. Cape Girardeau City Councilman Melvin Gateley did not attend. He has been in the hospital and is ill.

The meeting between the Jackson Board of Aldermen and the Cape Girardeau City Council held Jan. 26, 1998, was the first time the two entities had met in joint session. The new cooperation between the two cities has been spearheaded by Jackson Mayor Paul Sander and Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III and fostered by Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones.

As they did a year ago, the city governing bodies expressed their support for three proposed highway projects: Jackson's East Main Street interchange at I-55, upgrading of Center Junction and extension of Highway 74 to Highway 25 between Jackson and Cape Girardeau.

Spradling said the highway projects have spurred the examination of water and annexation issues between the cities. "We believe they are very good for both communities and needed for the continued development of both of our communities."

The annexation committee has met twice since its formation. Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Director Kent Bratton said a map of possible future annexations that could affect both cities should be complete in a few months.

A feasibility study for a proposed emergency water link between the two cities also is progressing. "It looks good at this point," Jackson Public Works Director Jim Roach told the councils.

Possible sites for creating the link include the proposed East Main Street extension interchange with I-55, Center Junction and a location between Klaus Park and Route K.

The first joint meeting resulted in an agreement allowing Jackson to use 20 percent of the message space on Cable Access Channel 5. Tracy Glenn, public information officer for Cape Girardeau, said Jackson at this point is using 14 percent of the messages, but she expects the number to increase to 20 percent soon.

"People are using the channel," she said.

Both councils passed resolutions instructing their staffs to arrange a joint tour of Cape Girardeau and Jackson facilities. The tour would include members of the County Commission.

Sander said he hopes the joint meeting becomes an annual event.

"New issues will arise as 1999 goes on," he said.

As cooperative as the two cities are these days, one area of rivalry remains. Sander suggested a point spread might be appropriate for the two mayors' next bet on the Jackson-Cape Central football game.

Jackson lost the most recent game, meaning Sander had to wear a Cape Central sweatshirt at the next Board of Aldermen meeting.

"You wore that color well," Spradling teased.