SCHOOL BOARD RACE DEVELOPS; CITY, SCHOOL FILING DEADLINE TUESDAY

JACKSON -- A second candidate has filed for the one-year, unexpired term of former Jackson R-2 School Board member and secretary, Nancy Schafer, who moved to St. Louis this month.

Meanwhile, filing for school board and municipal office candidates ends Tuesday.

The latest to file for the one-year term on the school board is Jeanette Bollinger of 730 Legion Drive.

Bollinger is a life-long resident of Cape Girardeau County, and has lived in Jackson for more than 30 years.

"I'm interested in children and youth, and their education. I would like to contribute toward the continuation of the sound school district we now have," said Bollinger during an interview Thursday. "I feel it's a way I can serve my community as a parent, grandparent, and a citizen of Jackson."

Bollinger is a graduate of Jackson High School, and attended Southeast Missouri State University.

She retired in 1984 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's ASCS office in Jackson, where she was a program assistant. From 1986 to 1990, she headed the group claims department at Tullis Insurance Consultants.

Bollinger's husband, Larry, is manager of the Ferrellgas plant at Benton.

They have two grown children, Brent Bollinger and Becky Riney, and two grandchildren.

Bollinger said with the resignation of Schafer, there are no women represented on the school board. "I also feel the voters should have a choice," she added, noting only one other person has filed for the one-year term.

Bollinger cited her business experience, and work with the public and numerous school and youth group organizations as her qualifications to serve on the school board.

She is past president of the Jackson PTA, past member of the Band Mothers Club, and past secretary of the Cape Girardeau County 4-H Council. Bollinger served both as a 4-H project leader and community leader for 12 years. Bollinger is a member of the First Baptist Church.

The only other candidate that has filed for the one-year term on the school board is Ronald L. Obermann.

Incumbents Jack Knowlan Jr., and school board president, Larry Koenig, are running for re-election to three-year terms. Alan Crites has also filed for one of the three-year terms.

All four incumbents on the Jackson Board of Aldermen are seeking re-election to two-year terms on the board, including Ward 1 Alderman Paul Sander, Ward 2 Alderman Kevin Sawyer, Ward 3 Alderman Leonard Dambach, and Ward 4 Alderman Jack Piepenbrok. At this time, Sander is the only incumbent facing opposition from Mike Baker.

Candidates for city collector include Ward 2 Alderman Phil Johnston, and the deputy city collector, Beverly Johnson. City Collector Delores "Dee" Uren filed for re-election, but withdrew for health reasons.

Mayor Carlton Meyer, who is seeking his tenth consecutive term, remains unopposed.

Candidates may file at the school board office or with the city clerk, until 5 p.m. Tuesday. The municipal election will be held April 2.