PAST, FUTURE HONORED AT CHAMBER BANQUET; NELSON WINS CHAMBER'S FULLENWIDER SERVICE AWARD

Two generations of present Jackson leaders and parents went to school under James R. Nelson. First as a teacher, then as Jackson High School principal for 25 years, Nelson did much to help shape today's Jackson.

Nelson, commander of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post # 158 and long-time civic leader, was honored Monday night as the recipient of the 1999 R.A. Fulenwider Meritorious Community Service Award by the Jackson Chamber of Commerce.

A World War II Air Force combat veteran, Nelson taught in the Jackson schools 1951-1962, before becoming high school principal. He held this post from 1963 through 1986. During this time, he handed out more than 5,000 diplomas and saw girls sports created at JHS.

Nelson still oversees the $135,000 school scholarship fund. As Mayor Paul Sander pointed out, Nelson was also manager of the municipal pool, 1956-1967.

The night also saw Rep. Jim Talent, chairman of the House Committee on Small Business and a Republican candidate for governor, speak to the assemblage.

"This chamber of obviously unbelievably viable," Talent said. "I attend many of these and this is a huge turnout. It speaks a lot about what is going on in Jackson."

Talent suggested that it is no accident when the government seems to be out to get the small business owner.

"People in Congress are kind of suspicious of small businesses," he said. "I've spent a career seeing this and fighting it."

Talent noted that taxes per capita in Missouri have grown more during the past seven years than in any other state. He also quoted statistics that listed Missouri as the number two producer of methamphetamine.

"It's a sad statement that Missouri has become a leader in taxes and Meth," he said.

He expressed frustration in the dropping of the Missouri Department of Transportation's 15-year plan, noting that "money spent on infrastructure comes back to you."

He closed with a plug for the importance of small businesses.

"The vitality of Jackson depends on the vitality of small businesses," he said. "Not just financially. It gives you and opportunity to draw young people back and to keep the good ones here."