JACKSON HIRES FIRST PARKS DIRECTOR

JACKSON -- Shane Anderson, a Jackson native who previously taught tennis pros in Atlanta, Ga., has been named the city's first-ever parks and recreation director.

Anderson, 35, was introduced to the Board of Aldermen at Monday night's meeting.

The 1980 Jackson High School graduate also graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a bachelor's degree in recreation and a master's degree in administration.

He was employed by Universal Health and Fitness in Cape Girardeau from 1987-90. Most recently, he was the head tennis pro for Atlanta Recreational Services, where he trained other teaching pros.

Anderson has been hired to create and oversee new programs for the city's parks and to act as the city's liaison with the many athletic leagues that use the parks.

He called the prospect of being able to create recreation programs from scratch "exciting and challenging. I'm accepting that challenge and ready for it," he said.

Anderson, whose parents still live in Jackson, said he returned to work in the city because "I love Jackson."

In other business, the board:

-- Accepted a petition for a voluntary annexation of 80 acres of property owned by Pascal and Danielle Dunod on Highway 72 West, and set a public hearing on the issue for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17.

The Dunods, who live in France, propose to build a housing development, restaurant and bakery on the former Pioneer Orchard land.

-- Approved the final plat of Fairway Estates Seventh Subdivision with variances. Under the approved variance, the street Eagle Drive, which was to have connected the subdivision with Savannah Ridge Subdivision, will not be built. City staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission agreed that the grade between the two subdivisions would be too steep to be practical.

-- Accepted the resignation of Fred Higdon from the Planning and Zoning Commission and the appointment of Bill Henning to the commission. Higdon is moving outside the city limits. Henning previously was on the city's Board of Adjustments.

Jackson Board of Aldermen

Monday

Action items

Power and Light Committee

-- Accepted petition for voluntary annexation of property owned by Pascal and Danielle Dunod and set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17.

-- Approved an ordinance authorizing the execution of a cable Channel 5 access and funding agreement with the City of Cape Girardeau.

-- Authorized payment of $1,459.29 to Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission relative to the city's comprehensive plan update.

-- Approved Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $507 and authorized final payment of $28,261 to Flentge Construction Co. Inc. under the reinforced concrete box culvert project on the Fisher property.

Street Committee

-- Authorized the Multiple Sclerosis Society Walk on April 19, with the walk beginning and ending in the City Park.

-- Set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 2, to consider the rezoning of all the property addressed at 104 S. Maryland St. from I-2 (heavy industrial) to C-2 (general commercial) as submitted by Gary Seabaugh.