JACKSON COMMUNITY UPDATE

The city of Jackson and the Missouri Department of Transportation have reached an agreement to improve the intersection of Highway 61 North and Route D in Jackson. MoDOT will redesign the intersection including signals, install the signals and re-strip the intersection. The city of Jackson will donate the right of way so Route D can be aligned with the newly improved Independence Street, relocate any utilities, contract roadway improvements needed for Route D realignment and relocate the park entrance. We hope this cooperative effort between Jackson and MoDOT will enable the project to be completed by around the start of school in August. Because of Jackson's growth and the construction of two new schools, the traffic on Route D and Highway 61 North has become very congested. This will be a major improvement in traffic flow and traffic safety in Jackson.

I have recently revamped our "Employee of the Month" award to be the "Employee of the Quarter." This award will be given four times a year to deserving city of Jackson employees. In addition to the certificate of recognition that has always been given for this award, we will now give the winners a personal holiday, a gift certificate to a local restaurant, a city of Jackson jacket and a chance for a savings bond at our annual Christmas banquet.

Randy Davis of our fire department was the winner of the first quarter of 1997 award. Randy has been with the city for many years and goes beyond the call of duty to do a great job for Jackson. My congratulations go to Randy.

You will very soon be receiving a one-page survey asking each Jackson resident how they feel about the feasibility of a multi-purpose facility for Jackson. Please take a few minutes to give the committee your opinions on if you feel a multipurpose facility is needed and if so what would be important for the facility to offer to the citizens. Your input will be the deciding factor on if we move forward to the next step in the process toward a future vote of the people on this issue.

Congratulations to all the recent Jackson High School graduates and the graduates of Notre Dame High School who live in Jackson. I wish you all much success in the future and hope many of you will become involved in the community to help make Jackson a better place for future generations.

We recently observed the Memorial Day Holiday. We enjoy this holiday because so many men and women proudly served our country in the armed forces so we can enjoy freedom. Thanks to everyone who has served, those who came home and to those who gave their lives to ensure our freedom. We owe you all a tremendous debt for your service to our country.

The council meets every Monday night at City Hall at 7:30 p.m. Your input and ideas are always welcome.