JACKSON CANDIDATES PREPARE FOR TENSE ELECTION

JACKSON -- Uncontested races are common in Jackson -- the mayor, the city collector and four aldermen ran unopposed just last year.

This election is different. Signs with candidates' names dot yards and vacant lots. There's a little more handshaking and smiling to do.

Perhaps the most unique race is in Ward IV, pitting lifelong Jackson resident Fred Leimer, the incumbent, against newcomer John Powers.

Powers, who moved to Jackson two years ago, is involved in a tax bill dispute against the city and has appeared in a Cape Girardeau County courtroom over it. He claims city officials misled Oak Hill Road residents, including Powers and his wife, Ruth, when they began road improvements. His attorney, Howard Dillard, contends the tax bills are illegal.

In announcing his candidacy, Powers made no secret of his reasons for running. He said people have been deceived by Jackson leaders, and voters in Ward IV need a strong alderman to fight for better fire protection and a park in the area.

Leimer was elected to the Jackson Board of Aldermen in 1994. He co-owns Leimer and Wessell Construction Inc. and has one son, 7-year-old Austin.

He counts the Interstate 55 water tower, the Main Street Extension project and the Brookside Park upgrading among his accomplishments while on the board.

Leimer said he wasn't sure about Powers' motives for running, but as an alderman, Leimer plans to better the city.

The other two Jackson races pit longtime aldermen against first-time challengers.

Donna Langford, the challenger in Ward I, is running against David Ludwig, an alderman for 14 years.

Langford is certified to teach elementary, middle school and junior high math. She is married to Ray Langford, who co-owns and operates Langford Service Company. The couple has two children.

The candidate said that, if elected, she would push for term limits and a conflict-of-interest policy prohibiting city employees or contract agents from representing clients on city business.

"It would be a great honor to serve the citizens of Jackson and my ward," Langford said.

Ludwig, an account representative for Moore Business Forms Inc., is chairman of the city's Power and Light Committee. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Post 158, New McKendree United Methodist Church, Jackson Elks Lodge and other organizations.

He said future projects should include a fire department satellite station on the northeast side of Jackson and an electrical substation on the east side. Ludwig also said recycling programs and economic growth should be important to the board.

He and his wife, Janet, have a grown daughter and a son at Jackson High School.

The third race is between Ward III Alderman Glenn Oldham and Planning and Zoning Board member Larry Cunningham.

Oldham was elected to the board in 1984 and has been unchallenged until this year's election. He said he will run on his record, pointing out accomplishments like the new City Hall, sewer plant and water tower.

Oldham and his wife, Mary, have three grown children. He is a service technician at Coca-Cola Bottling Plan and has lived in Jackson for 38 years.

Cunningham, co-owner of Cunningham Bros. Appraisal Service, said he wants to contribute his experience in real estate and planning to the citizens of Jackson.

"I care about the city of Jackson and its growth," he said.

Incumbents David Reiminger and Kerry Hoffman are running unopposed in Ward II, Reiminger for a full two-year term and Hoffman for an unexpired one-year term.

Hoffman was appointed to fill out former alderman Kevin Sawyer's term after Sawyer was elected in 1995 and resigned shortly thereafter.