JACKSON SHIFTS ENGINEER DUTIES

JACKSON -- After only four weeks as Jackson's director of public works, Thomas Morris' signature has replaced interim city engineer Rich Bowen's on new plats for subdivisions.

For the six years previous to Morris' employment, Bowen approved or disapproved plats submitted to the city. Some developers, engineers and surveyors had problems with that because Bowen owns his own engineering firm, Bowen & Lawson Professional Engineers & Surveyors.

In his position as interim city engineer, Bowen often had to sign off on plans drawn up by his own firm. Now, according to Mayor Paul Sander, Bowen will serve more in a consulting capacity to the city. Morris, who has a civil engineering degree, probably will become public works director/city engineer.

"We never envisioned Rich being interim city engineer for the amount of time that he was," Sander said. "But he has a large staff, a lot of equipment and a lot of things we don't have."

The mayor stressed that he and the Jackson Board of Aldermen were very happy with Bowen's work and felt that the engineer always had the city's best interests in mind.

Morris still will consult with Bowen on some things, but Morris is confident that he can properly check plats and improvement plans. He must be sure they aren't only structurally sound but also comply with Jackson's building ordinances.

"On some of these issues that I am not as well versed on, I will seek Rich's input, but ultimately the decision to approve or disapprove will rest with me," Morris said.

Morris' role will become even more important as Jackson continues its incredible growth rate. There currently are about 10 subdivisions being developed in the small city, and people have expressed interest in starting others.

"We'll have good growth for a year or two with these subdivisions, but then we'll run out of property inside the city limits that is available," Sander said. "You never know what will become available, though."