JACKSON ELECTION FILING DATES ARE JAN. 7-FEB. 4

JACKSON -- Although the filing period doesn't open for another month, a Jackson alderman says he will file for re-election to a third term.

Ward 3 Alderman Glenn Oldham made that announcement after Monday night's meeting of the Jackson Board of Aldermen. The other aldermen said they would make their intentions known next month.

The Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance Monday setting the filing period, and the date of the spring municipal election.

The filing period opens Jan. 7 at 8 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. on Feb. 4. The election will be held on April 7.

Besides Oldham, aldermen whose terms expire in April are David Ludwig, Ward 1; Philip S. Johnston, Ward 2; and Lee Roy Brown, Ward 4.

Ludwig is completing his sixth term on the board, while Johnston and Brown are finishing their second terms in office. Oldham is completing 2 terms in office because he was elected to fill out an unexpired term.

In other business, the aldermen turned down a request from Roy and Vera Stroder and Harold and Linda Stroder for a special use permit to locate a mobile home on property at 1820 Old Toll Road.

The Stroders plan to build a 112 foot by 60 foot building on the four-acre site. The building will be used as a country and western dance hall. No alcohol will be served.

Speaking for the request, Stroder said he wanted to live in the mobile home to keep an eye on the property. But City Attorney David Beeson pointed out there is no provision in the current zoning ordinance that would allow the board to grant Stroder's request.

The planning and zoning commission had recommended approval of the request only on the condition that the mobile home be placed there on a temporary basis.

A motion to amend the ordinance to allow mobile homes to be located in C-1 or C-2 zoned areas of the city with a special use permit was rejected on a 7-1 vote.

Despite the rejection, Stroder said they will go ahead with plans to build the dance hall.

On another matter, the board, on a 6-2 voice vote, approved a request for a 3.2 and 5 percent beer and original package liquor license for Host Enterprises Inc. (Kevin Stanfield) at 1402 Old Cape Road.

The business was formerly known as the Stop-N-Shop until it was purchased by Winks. The license request was tabled at the board's Nov. 18 meeting so aldermen could get a report on a minor liquor violation by the previous owner.

Acting City Engineer Rich Bowen reported the West Main Street improvement project was completed last week, and the street reopened on Friday.

City Administrator Carl Talley said the poles for the new traffic signals at the intersection of East Jackson Boulevard and Donna Drive have been erected by the power and light department. The next step is installation of the signal heads and control box by the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department. City officials hope the lights will be operating during the busy Christmas shopping season this month.

Alderman Johnston reported there are now over 70 entries for Saturday's Jaycee Christmas Parade in Jackson. "It's going to be one of the largest Christmas parades ever held," he said. The parade starts at 1:30 p.m.