JACKSON TO PICK ALDERMEN, COLLECTOR

JACKSON -- There will be races in two of the four aldermanic wards and for the office of city collector in Tuesday's municipal election in Jackson.

The contested aldermanic races are in Wards 1 and 3.

In Ward 1, incumbent Paul Sander, who is completing his first, two-year term on the board, is opposed by Mike Baker.

Sander, 33, owns and operates a sports specialty business. He was formerly a purchasing manager at Lenco Electronics in Jackson.

Sander has said one of his concerns as an alderman is to continue to fund as many services to the people of Jackson as possible, while at the same time, keeping the city in good financial shape.

Baker, 45, is a plant operator at the Biokyowa plant in Cape Girardeau. Baker said he became interested in city government and would like to serve the residents of his ward.

In Ward 2, incumbent Leonard Dambach is challenged by Valeria Tuschhoff.

Dambach, 66, owns and operates Jackson Auto Body, Inc. He has served 14 years on the board and is presently chairman of the city's Street Committee.

Tuschhoff owns and operates a furniture reupholstering shop in Jackson. Tuschhoff said she was encouraged to file for the Ward 3 seat by many of her friends. Although women have served in the past on the board, Tuschhoff said there have been none on the board in recent years. She is the only woman running for a seat on the board in the next week's election.

As an active businesswoman in the city, Tuschhoff feels she can contribute suggestions and ideas toward the continued growth of the city.

Ward 2 Alderman Kevin Sawyer and Ward 4 Alderman Jack Piepenbrok have no opposition in Tuesday's election.

Mayor Carlton Meyer is unopposed in his bid for a 10th consecutive term.

The withdrawal of City Collector Deloris "Dee" Uren for medical reasons has sparked a race for that office between Ward 2 Alderman Phil Johnston and Deputy Collector Beverly Nelson.

Johnston, who is completing the first year of a second two-year term on the board of aldermen, says he is running for the collector's office because he wants to become more involved in daily city government operations.

Nelson has worked in the city collector's office for 16 years, and says those years of experience give her the necessary qualifications to do the job.