MORE THAN 100 APPLY FOR JACKSON POSITION

JACKSON -- More than 100 applications were received for the new position of Jackson public works director. The application deadline was Sept. 30.

"I picked up the last of the applications in the mail Thursday," said Mayor Paul Sander. "In all, we received between 100-125 applications. They have come in from coast to coast - from California to New York. We have also received some very good local applications.

"We're very, very pleased with the response to the ads we ran locally, and in the national municipal government trade publications, as far as the number and quality of applications is concerned," said the mayor.

Sander said the applications will be turned over to the special committee appointed earlier this year to search for a public works director. The committee is composed of the mayor, City Administrator Carl Talley, City Attorney David Beeson, Alderman Glenn Oldham and acting City Engineer Rich Bowen.

"This month, the committee will review the applications and select 10 or less candidates. During November, the candidates will meet individually with the board of aldermen for oral interviews in executive session. The interviews will probably begin in early November and conclude by the middle of the month."

Sander said after the oral interviews are completed, the board will vote on the final selection in late November or early December.

"Our goal is to have the new public works director on the job by Jan. 1, 1994," the mayor said.

The public works director will be responsible for the water treatment and distribution, wastewater treatment and collection, street and storm sewer maintenance, solid waste management, fleet maintenance, landfill, and other public works projects. The public works director will work directly under the city administrator.

The appointment of a new public works director will relieve Bowen of many of the public works duties he has been handling for the city since he agreed to take over as acting city engineer in August 1990, following the retirement of City Engineer Jack Weith.

Bowen, who has a private engineering firm in Jackson, said he will then be able to devote more time to his business, while continuing to perform professional engineering work for the city on an "as-needed" basis.