JACKSON CHAMBER AWARD TO SANDER

JACKSON -- Receiving the R.A. Fulenwider community service award Monday night was bittersweet for Mayor Paul Sander.

His father, Leonard, was unable to see his son honored because he is in critical condition at Southeast Missouri Hospital. The elder Sander suffered a heart attack a week ago.

"Now I know why my dad was so adamant I come tonight," Sander said. The name of the recipient of the award given annually by the Jackson Chamber of Commerce is kept secret.

He praised his father's mentorship. "He taught me that honesty and integrity come before anything else in public service," the mayor said.

Leonard Sander served as Cape Girardeau County circuit clerk and later held a seat on the county commission.

The Jackson mayor asked the approximately 175 people attending the installation banquet at the Jackson Knights of Columbus Hall to remember his father in their prayers.

Paul Sander is a past president of the chamber. He also has been president of the Jackson Men's Softball League and the Jackson Elks Club. He has been on the boards of the Jackson R-2 Alternative School Advisory Board, the Regional Commerce and Growth Association, the chamber, the Jackson Heritage Association and Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was elected to the Jackson City Council in 1987 and re-elected in 1989 and 1991. He was elected mayor in 1993 and re-elected in 1995 and 1997.

The keynote speaker for the event was Dan Mehan, vice president of governmental affairs for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce. Mehan compared the past legislative session to attending a Cardinal game and watching slugger Mark McGwire hit a ground-rule double. "Something didn't happen," he said.

An example was a bill that would have excluded smaller businesses from paying the state's franchise tax. The bill was filibustered to death at the 11th hour.

Mehan said the state organization will continue to press for broad-based tax relief in the next session.

He also warned the audience about an upcoming attempt to use tax money to underwrite election campaigns. He said much of the chamber's work at the state level is defensive in nature.

Standing before a poster with the words "Together We Can," Mehan urged the members of the chamber to continue to work locally if they want to see their community improve. "Some chambers are strictly social clubs," he said. "Some chambers -- like this one -- care."

Another honoree Monday night was Larry Nowak, who received an award from the Southeast Missouri Medical Center Inc., for his 31 years of service.

The emcee for the evening was Howard Alexander, who will be the chamber president for the 1998-99 year. Serving as vice president will be Darrell Aufdenberg, with Val Tuschhoff taking the job of secretary-treasurer.

Brent Wills is the past president.

Members of the chamber board for the upcoming year will be Larry Hall, Lew Harmon, Paul Sander, Dale Sweere, Roger Niswonger, Vickie Rinehart, Brent Wills and Bob Grebing.