RACE DEVELOPS IN WARD 4 FOR JACKSON ALDERMAN

JACKSON -- With the filing deadline just four days away, there is only one race so far in the 1994 Jackson and Chaffee municipal-school board elections.

The elections are set April 5.

The lone race is for the seat now held by Jackson Aldermen LeRoy Brown, who is retiring from the board in April.

A race for Brown's seat was assured Wednesday, when Fred Leimer, 39, of 2356 Litz Blvd, filed for the seat. He will face Rodney Ladreiter in Ward 4.

Meanwhile, two of the four incumbent Chaffee aldermen have filed for re-election, and both incumbent Chaffee school board members have filed for another three-year term.

The filing deadline for municipal and school board candidates is Feb. 1.

Leimer is a life-long resident of Cape Girardeau County. A native of Pocahontas, he has one son, Austin, 5.

Leimer has been involved in the building trades industry in Jackson since 1971. In 1980, Leimer, and Doug Wessell established Leimer and Wessell Construction, Inc.

He is a 1973 graduate of Jackson High School. He graduated from Haywood Technical Institute in Canton, N.C., with a degree in forest products technology. He is a member of the Southeast Missouri Homebuilders Association and the Jackson Elks, and a lifetime member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Pocahontas.

Leimer said he had considered running for the Ward 4 seat on the board of aldermen for some time, but wanted to wait until he had the time to devote to city business.

"I feel our business is established enough now so that I can devote my time and attention to city affairs," he said.

Leimer listed two reasons for running for the board: "First, it's my desire to keep Jackson the type of community in which families are proud to raise their children. Second, this is an opportunity for me to put my personal time and effort back into a community that has provided me an opportunity to begin my own business."

With many years experience in operating a residential construction company, Leimer said he has can provide valuable assistance to the city. He said, "Jackson has not had an alderman in the building trades for a number of years.

"My experience as a contractor should give me the ability to address such issues as rezoning, new subdivision regulations, the East Main Street Extension Project, a review of the water and wastewater treatment system, and upgrading the northward and eastward development of the city."

Besides Leimer and Ladreiter, other candidates who have filed include the incumbent aldermen in Ward 1, David Ludwig;, Ward 2, David Reiminger; and Ward 3, Glenn Oldham.

Only two candidates have filed for Jackson School Board. They include incumbent Jack Knowlan, Jr., and newcomer, Ken Callis. Incumbent Larry Koenig has not filed at this time.

In Chaffe, Ward 1 Alderman Jerry Wolsey is running for a third, two-year term on the board of aldermen. He was first elected in April 1990.

Wolsey owns and operates a private investigation and security service. He was police chief of Chaffee from 1981 to 1983, when he resigned to become a Scott County deputy sheriff.

Eskew, 38, of 419 Gray, is running for a second term on the board. He was elected in April 1992, after being appointed by Mayor Ron Moyers to complete the unexpired term of former alderman, Randy Dooley.

Eskew is a supervisor in the bursars office at Southeast Missouri State University, where he has been employed for the past 14 years. He received his masters of science degree in administration from the university in 1986.

Eskew lives with his wife, Janae, and their two sons, Chase, 10, and Rynn, age 5.

He has lived in Chaffee since 1986, and is originally from the Charleston-Sikeston area. Eskew is an assistant coach in the Chaffee Youth Basketball League.

Eskew said he decided to run for a full term on the board after completing the remaining four-months of an unexpired term.

"By the time the four months was up, I was already involved in some projects that I wanted to see to completion," he said.

Eskew said he wants to serve continue work on such projects as a study on the possible purchase of the cable television system by the city, and continued development of the parks department.

"My work on the board is interesting and challenging, and I get to work and meet with a lot of different people," he added.

Both incumbents on the Chaffee school board are seeking their fourth terms on the board. The latest to file is Dale Tierney, who filed Jan. 18. Incumbent Larry Myer filed earlier this month.

Both are completing their third, three-year term on the board. In addition, each has served one-year, unexpired terms of former board members who resigned.

Neither of the candidate responded to requests for additional information.

Candidates for the Jackson school board may file from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the superintendent's office. Candidates for the Jackson board of aldermen may file from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at the city clerk's office in city hall.

Chaffee alderman candidates may file from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at the city clerk's office.

Chaffee school board candidates can file from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m,, Monday through Friday, at the superintendent's office in the Chaffee High School Building.