One Jackson ward contested in April

Jackson's municipal election on April 4 will have only one contested race.

Incumbent Joe Baker, who has been on the Jackson Board of Aldermen since 1999, will face off against Thomas P. Gleeson III, who ran for alderman in 1986, for a two-year term in Ward 4.

This will be the fourth time Gleeson, who lives at 854 Eastview Court, has run for an alderman position in the 30 years he has lived in Jackson. Baker, who lives at 2569 Litz Blvd., last ran in 2004 and received 199 of the 287 votes cast in his ward.

Both men say they are interested in seeing the development of more businesses in Jackson and continued growth in the city.

Incumbents all filed for re-election and face no competition for the three other seats up for election. The include Ward 2 Alderman David Reiminger, a 12-year member of the board; Ward 3 Alderman Larry Cunningham, a nine-year member of the board; and Ward 1 Alderman Barbara Lohr, a four-year member of the board.

Candidate bios

Name: Joe Baker

Age: 53

Family: Joy, wife of 33 years; two children, Ryan and Kandra; daughter-in-law, Kim and grandson, Hunter.

Party: Republican

Occupation: President and owner of B and B Auto Salvage Co.

Religion: Lutheran

Education: Graduate of Central High School in 1970 and attended Southeast Missouri State University

Affiliations: Jackson alderman since August 1999; board of trustees member for the Cape Girardeau County Law Enforcement Restitution Board; active in Boy Scouts, Ducks Unlimited, T-ball coach, Jackson Elks Club and member of the Wild Turkey Federation.

Reasons for running: "Jackson continues to see tremendous growth, and I would like to play a part in that growth. I love the city of Jackson, and I want to be a part of it. I like helping people. When someone calls with a problem, I try to do everything I can to help. I want to make a difference. I want people to know they have a voice in city government."

Name: Thomas Gleeson III

Age: 55

Family: Paul, son

Party: Not applicable

Occupation: independent insurance agent

Religion: Lutheran

Education: Attended Southeast Missouri State University

Reasons for running: "Jackson's been good to me, and I have a lot of good ideas that I would like to pass on to the city. There are two issues that need to be looked at: the new industrial park with all the utilities but no businesses; and with the way the city is growing, we need to put a second fire station in the city. I think it would be good to have new blood on the board."