JACKSON HAS NEW ALDERMAN AND PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

JACKSON -- Kerry Hoffman, a longtime promoter of Jackson's youth programs, became the city's newest alderman Monday, only a week after Alderman Kevin Sawyer announced his resignation.

Hoffman will fill Sawyer's seat until the April 1996 election and then decide if he wants to run again.

Sawyer resigned in executive session May 15, citing personal problems. Mayor Paul Sander said Sawyer had a hand in choosing his own replacement.

Hoffman, 43, moved to Jackson with his parents in 1955 and works for Procter & Gamble. He is married and has two sons.

"Jackson gave me a lot of opportunities as I was growing up," Hoffman said. "Now that I'm at a point in my life where I can give back to the city, I'd like to see other people who come into the area have those same opportunities."

The Jackson Board of Aldermen unanimously approved Sander's recommendation of Hoffman. Last week, they unanimously approved the hiring of Thomas Morris as public works director. He replaces Mark Brown, who returned to Tennessee over a month ago to care for his ill father.

Morris, a construction engineer with Delta Companies in Cape Girardeau, will begin his duties with the city June 5. Sander said there were about 25 applicants for the position, and City Administrator Steve Wilson recommended Morris to the Board of Aldermen.

"He had a lot of the things we were looking for," Sander said. "Number one, he's a civil engineer with a great deal of experience. And we wanted someone who lived in this area or had Southeast Missouri ties."

He added that Morris' qualifications also may allow him to take on the city engineer's responsibilities. Rich Bowen, the current city engineer, would then serve the city solely as a consultant.

Morris, 44, is a Southern Illinois native who moved to Cape Girardeau 12 years ago. His wife, Nancy, works at Health Services Corporation of America, and the couple has three young children. The family will relocate to Jackson after Morris begins work there.

In his current job he prepares bids for Delta Companies' work as general contractors or subcontractors, then plans how the construction will be completed.

Morris earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1972 from Louisiana State University, and he did his graduate study in hydrology and mining engineering at Southern Illinois University.

Morris has worked for private engineering firms and as a self-employed consulting engineer.

The new public works director said he had been interested in municipal work for about 15 years. The timing was right when he saw Jackson's job opening.

"I can give the city technical expertise and it can give me professional development and personal growth," Morris said.