SCOTT LIPKE CHALLENGES MAYOR OF JACKSON

JACKSON -- Attorney Scott Alan Lipke will challenge Mayor Paul Sander in the general election in April, providing Sander with his first opposition since he was first elected in 1993.

Lipke, a former assistant prosecuting attorney for Cape Girardeau County, filed for the mayor's seat Tuesday, the last day of filing for the election.

Filing for aldermen seats on the deadline day were Don Harris in Ward 1, Richard Rushin in Ward 2, and Chris Bowen in Ward 3.

"Jackson's citizens must balance the need for economic growth with the challenges of preserving our heritage," Lipke said in a press release, "and I want to commit myself to help this city find a happy medium."

He could not be reached for further comment because he was going to a Jackson High School basketball game. He is an announcer for the Indians' basketball games.

Lipke is a graduate of St. Paul Lutheran School and Jackson High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from Murray State University in 1991 and his law degree from the Valparaiso University School of Law in 1995.

He was employed by the Buerkle, Beeson, Ludwig and Jackson law firm before joining the prosecuting attorney's office in March 1997. Lipke became associated with the Jackson law firm of Lichtenegger, Weiss & Fetterhoff after leaving the prosecuting attorney's office last October.

He is vice president of the Young Lawyers Section of the Cape Girardeau County Bar Association, a member of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and the Missouri Bar Association.

Rushin was employed by the Jackson Police Department for 10 years before resigning as a lieutenant in charge of investigations in October. He now works in insurance as a staff adjuster for the Midland Company.

He will challenge Kerry Hoffman in Ward 2.

"I see the city of Jackson growing, I think it's a great community to live in and I want to have a hand in that," he said.

"With the year 2000 coming it's going to be a great time."

Rushin and his wife, Debby, have four children: Rachael, Jill, Benjamin and Jackson.

Rushin said Hoffman has represented the citizens of Jackson well and helped raise money for the police department's K-9 Unit.

"Kerry has done an excellent job," Rushin said. "Unfortunately, he lives in my ward. The time is right."

He is a 1982 graduate of Jackson High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Southeast in 1998.

Chris Bowen will oppose Ward 3 Alderwoman Valerie Tuschhoff in the April election. He is associated with the Bowen Engineering firm. He could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon or evening.

Don Harris will oppose David Hitt in Ward 1. He also could not be reached Tuesday evening.

Sander unseated 11-term incumbent Carlton Meyer in 1993. In his release, Lipke said he plans "to focus on the issues, not the personalities. Jackson faces many touch decisions about its future, but I've very confident that the people in our city are ready to make those choices."