PLANNING GROUP PICKED TO CHART JACKSON'S GROWTH

Southeast Missouri Regional Planning located in Perryville has been selected from three applicants to assist us in updating our growing city's comprehensive plan.

Our present plan is 15 years old and seriously outdated. The new comprehensive plan will take eight to 10 months to complete and will become another excellent planning tool for the continued orderly growth of Jackson.

Before the plan is complete, much work must be done by the council, city staff and city employees. Every citizen's input will be requested at public hearings to be held in the months to come. We will seek out everyone's ideas in this comprehensive plan, which will chart and plan for Jackson's future. All areas will be addressed including water, sewer, electric, annexation, streets and many other important considerations.

We look forward to working with Southeast Missouri Regional Planning to update Jackson's plan and helping assure a very bright future for our growing town.

-- We are now working on the 1997 budget for Jackson. The council hopes to pass a budget before the end of the year. The budget, when completed, will be more than $12 million and will be balanced to our income. We are very happy with Jackson's solid financial position and intend to keep it that way.

-- Congratulations to our Jackson High School football team on its 5A District championship and 8-2 overall record. Our first year in 5A will certainly be remembered as a successful one.

-- We continue to move forward with our new recycling center due to open next spring. As we all are concerned about solid waste, recycling becomes increasingly important. This new facility will double our intake in the first year and be much more convenient for the public to use.

-- It is very seldom that I write something that is not positive in this monthly article, but I must tell you of a concern and ask for your help.

We are experiencing occasional theft of flowers and plants at the old Jackson and Russell Heights cemeteries. How anyone could steal flowers off gravesites is beyond me, but I would ask that if anyone notices someone doing this to call the police department and talk with Chief Marvin Sides.

Hopefully, by serving this notice that we don't intend to tolerate this behavior, we will discourage future attempts. With increased police surveillance and your help, we hope we can reduce these senseless acts.

-- Cheri Stoffreger is our November employee of the month. Cheri is a customer-service representative at City Hall and has been with the city for six years.

-- The holiday season is now in full swing in Jackson. Storefronts, utility poles and homes are lighting up with the holiday spirit. From my family to your family, I want to wish every Jackson-area resident a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I truly hope 1996 has been a great year for you all and that 1997 will be even better.

-- The City Council meets every Monday night at 7:30 at City Hall. Your ideas and suggestions are always welcome to make our town a better place to live.

I look forward to working with each of you in 1997. As you know, my door is always open to you.

Paul Sander is the mayor of Jackson.