PROFILES: JACKSON ON THE GROW WITH SANDER AT HELM

Jackson Mayor Paul Sander is very much like the city he leads -- progressive, ordered and yet very aware of his roots. Sander's proud of the fact he has never lived anywhere else but the city he loves.

The city of Jackson is experiencing phenomenal growth. When Sander was growing up in the 1960s, the town's population was just over 4,000. The rapid growth began in the mid- to late-1980s, with no end in sight.

The 1990 census marked Jackson at 9,200. Just four years later, the estimated population has surpassed 11,000. By the year 2000, Sander says Jackson could top the 14,000 mark.

Jackson is the second fastest growing city from St. Louis to the Arkansas border, he says. Only Farmington has seen an increased percentage of growth in Southern Missouri.

The city may issue close to 120 single family home permits this year -- shattering any previous records. That number may rival or outdo neighboring, and much larger, Cape Girardeau.

But rapid growth without order can be perilous. Mayor Sander is determined haphazard development won't occur in Jackson. One of his pet concerns is that the city must grow in an orderly, planned fashion.

Jackson is unique in many ways.

There are no blighted residential areas. Nearly all the streets are paved. The city's biggest employer, Lee-Rowan, has expanded so many times that it has become Cape Girardeau County's largest employer with 1,300 workers. The steam train and new veterans of all wars memorial are strong tourist attractions. Its school system is filling new facilities as fast as it can build them. And despite the growth, there's been no city tax increase for years and years.

A new city motto, Jackson Pride, is evident most everywhere you look.

One has to wonder if Sander consciously decided to run for mayor, or was simply destined for the job.

His great grandfather served as a Cape Girardeau County commissioner in the 1920s. His grandfather, C.H. Sander, was Jackson's mayor for two terms in the 1940s. His dad, Leonard, served eight terms as Cape County commissioner. The Sander pattern certainly pointed to mayor for Paul or his older brother Fritz.

As a teenager, Sander observed his father's dedication to the county, especially in his assignment of roads and bridges.

"When I was a kid, the phone would ring at 3 or 4 in the morning after a heavy snow. It was aggravating to me, but it never bothered him a bit. It was not just what dad did for a living, it was his hobby. He really loved it."

Sander speaks from his office in the basement of city hall. It's a no-frills decor done in governmental green. Missouri and U.S. flags add splashes of color, along with a homemade paperweight by his 6-year-old son, Sam. He and wife, Pam, also have a 2-year-old son, Spencer.

No lavish waste of taxpayer dollars here, he teases as his hand sweeps the office.

When he's not promoting Jackson as its mayor, he's selling the city and surrounding region as a realtor.

He's young -- just 39-years-old. But when elected in April of 1973, he came to the job with seven and a half years as Ward 1 alderman.

With the encouragement of friends and family, he decided to take on longtime incumbent Carlton Meyer.

He knew going in that winning would be a very tall order. Sander knocked on every door in the city of Jackson, and counted on a dedicated group of volunteers.

"I have nothing but respect for former mayor Meyer. I just felt I could lead the city in a more progressive direction."

He won just over 57 percent of the vote. The election turnout was the largest in the city's history.

Sander's first term ends in April. "I can't think of any reason why I wouldn't run again," he says. "I'm certainly leaning in that direction."

He and his older brother, Fritz, grew up on the uptown streets of Jackson. Fritz works as a certified public accountant in Minneapolis.

For years, the family ran a hardware store, C.H. Sander Sales. It was sold in the mid-'60s, and Leonard Sander opened Sander Appliance. That's where Paul Sander got his first taste of business in Jackson.

"I worked during my junior high and high school years. I did anything dad told me to do," he explains with a laugh.

He remembers his mother, Aleene, as someone who was always trying to help someone else. "She's the one who would always take the lead to help others who had misfortune or illness or an injury. She's still doing that."

The family business was sold in the late 1970s, when Leonard Sander devoted his full-time attentions to county commission.

Sander fondly remembers life in Jackson during his teen-age years.

"The town was tremendously smaller, and somewhat secluded from the hustle and bustle and problems of larger cities. You'd pretty well know everyone you'd meet on the streets."

When Sander graduated from Jackson High School, he had plans of becoming a baseball/basketball coach.

"I've always been a baseball nut and I still am. I still try to play 120 games of softball each year on one of the more competitive teams in Southeast Missouri."

Sander took a part-time job with Lenco, a then-thriving business in Jackson. A full-time position opened up in purchasing, and Sander decided to take it although he had two semesters of school left. It was a tough decision that remains laced with some regret. In all, he worked at Lenco 11 years.

His final day of work was a traumatic one.

Lenco officials announced just after 11 o'clock one day that by noon, the electronics division would close permanently. Everyone was instructed to clean out their desks.

"We were a close-knit family with many long-term employees. It really hurt. Some of those out of work were husbands and wives in their 50s, who also lost their retirement benefits."

Lenco downsized from 330 workers to about 75.

"It taught me a lesson that there's absolutely nothing for sure. You may plan for things to happen step by step, but they may not come to pass," he says quietly.

Within a few weeks, he found a job in the personnel department at St. Francis Medical Center. He stayed in that position a year before purchasing a business in uptown Jackson, SEMO Specialities. He owned the sports and advertising specialty shop for three and a half years. He sold the business in May of this year -- opting for the more flexible hours of real estate.

His wife works as comptroller at Security Bank in Scott City. Pam also graduated from Jackson High School, although they weren't high school sweethearts. They married in 1982.

Sander has found government even more than he expected. He enjoys setting goals, and the satisfaction of a job well done. But he's frustrated that the wheels of government often turn so slowly. Legal and governmental red tape can be mountainous.

"Even a common sense change can take months to accomplish sometimes and that's very frustrating," he says.

Sander prides himself on leadership and hard work as mayor. But he says that these two ingredients are not enough.

"Leadership and hard work must equal results. If not, you haven't done what you set out to do," he says.

He feels his years on the council have prepared him well as mayor.

Jackson is growing faster than ever before. He feels people are attracted to the quality of life in Jackson, the cleanliness of the town, the quality street and sewer systems, and excellent schools.

"The first thing people ask me is to take them to a rundown area of town, and I have no idea where to take them. We have no slums. People of all incomes take a great deal of pride in their property."

Sander says the city tries to be flexible, especially with builders, contractors and developers. There are currently four or five major subdivisions under construction.

The town represents an interesting mix of old and young. Young families chose Jackson to raise their children. Older folks often move back to retire.

"Speaking as mayor and a realtor, Jackson's housing market is excellent," he says with a smile and a self-serving plug. Separate business cards for mayor and realtor rest side-by-side on his desk.

Accelerated growth can also bring growing pains. The proximity off Interstate 55 has brought its share of violence and crime to town in recent months.

The town was shaken when a high-sped chase led Laotian gang members into town. The chase ended in violence. Also, a Jackson man was killed and his car stolen and sold. A Scott County man faces has been charged with murder.

"Some people have told me, `please don't let our little town grow.' But I tell them we can't avoid all the problems of the world. I can't put a tent over the town and only let good things happen," he says.

But Sander feels preparation and good law enforcement can help get a handle on crime. And he feels Jackson's crime levels are still much lower than many towns in the region.

But Sander feels preparation and good law enforcement can help get a handle on crime. And he feels Jackson's crime levels are still much lower than many towns in the region.

Besides, Jackson has a lot going for it, says the mayor.

The city will welcome Steve Wilson as new city administrator Dec. 1. Longtime administrator Carl Talley will assist as a part-time consultant.

Sander also plans to place increasing importance on the city's tourism board, which promotes the steam train, veterans memorial and other attractions. He points out the memorial is quite a show place, and is considered one of the best between St. Louis and Memphis.

The city has also purchased the Boatmen's Bank building on the square and plans to move all city offices there in 1995. The public works is already located there, since no room remains in the basement of city hall.

Thanks to a one-half-cent transportation tax passed in 1986, the city's street system is unsurpassed for a town its size, says Sander. All new developments demand paved streets, and all streets are curbed and guttered. The city has almost no gravel streets, he says. The sales tax generates about $600,000 a year.

The city plans to construct a new 350,000-gallon water tower in early 1995, which will be visible from I-55. About half a million dollars has been budgeted, and Sander promises it will be an eye-catcher.

Sander loves the job of mayor, but he learned long ago as a councilman that you can't make everyone happy.

Sander's advice: Develop a thick skin, listen to constituents, and then work for what you feel in your heart is in the best interest of Jackson.

But Sander also knows that politics is politics. After eight terms of service to the commission, his dad was defeated in his run for re-election two years ago.

As Jackson grows, Sander hopes the city retains its small-town flavor and camaraderie.

"I'm proud to say I'm from Jackson. It's always a pleasure to go on vacation, but it's more of a pleasure to come home."

GROWTH AT A GLANCE

The city of Jackson is experiencing phenomenal growth. When Paul Sander was growing up in the 1960s, the town's population was just over 4,000. The rapid growth began in the mid- to late-1980s, with no end in sight.

The 1990 census marked Jackson at 9,200. Just four years later, the estimated population has surpassed 11,000. by the year 2000, Sander says Jackson could top the 14,000 mark.

The city has also expanded to the south with the addition of Grandview Acres last summer. That alone swelled the population count by 250.

The city may issue close to 120 single family home permits this year -- shattering any previous records. That number may rival or outdo neighboring, and much larger, Cape Girardeau.

A CITY ON THE MOVE

the city will welcome Steve wilson as new city administrator Dec. 1. Longtime administrator Carl Talley will remain as a part-time consultant for a few years.

Mayor Sander also plans to place increasing importance on the city's tourism board, which promotes the steam train, veterans memorial and other attractions. He points out the memorial is quite a show place, and is considered one of the best between St. Louis and Memphis.

The city has also purchased the Boatment's Bank building on the square and plans to move all city offices ther in 1995. The public works is already located there, since no room remains in the basement of city hall.

Thanks to a one-half-cent transportation tax passed in 1986, the city's street system is unsurpassed for a town its size, says Sander. All new deelopments demand paved streets, and all streets are curbed and guttered. The city has almost no gravel streets, he says. The sales tax generates about $600,000 a year.

The city plans to construct a new 350,000-gallon water tower in early 1995, which will be visible from I-55. About half a million dollars has been budgeted, and Sander promises it will be an eye-catcher.