SEWER PROJECT KEY TO JACKSON'S GROWTH

The Jackson Board of Aldermen recently approved a motion relating to sewer and water improvement projects. These improvements, which are critical to our future infrastructure and the continued orderly growth of Jackson, will probably be presented to voters in the form of a bond issue later in 1997. Details of these needed improvements will be explained to our citizens once a priority list has been established and all costs are determined.

The council recently banned parking vehicles for sale in public parking lots. However, vehicles for sale can be displayed in private parking lots if the owner of the property does not object.

Administrator Steve Wilson, Alderman Jack Piepenbrok, Aldermen Kerry Hoffman and I recently attended the annual Missouri Municipal League Legislative Conference in Jefferson City. The primary objective of this annual conference was to develop closer relationship between state and city government.

It provided a forum for us to discuss legislative proposals that will affect our local government. Among the topics discussed were environmental issues, highway and transit issues, tax increment financing legislation and other key issues that directly affect our growing city. We feel it is important to maintain a close relationship with our legislators and be well informed on issues that affect our local government.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has appointed Randy Hitt, P.E., as our area engineer. City staff and I recently met with Randy to bring him up to date on several issue we have ongoing in Jackson. Some of those include safety issue concerning new stop lights, some road repair when weather permits and a discussion of long term goals that the highway department and city could cooperate on to accomplish.

Our new recycling center is now open. We will be making further improvements to the building as weather permits. We have applied for a Department of Natural Resources grant to asphalt the area around the business. The center will keep normal business hours during the week and will be open from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.

The council meets every Monday night at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. Your ideas and input are always welcome.

Paul Sander is the mayor of Jackson.