Three enter Jackson mayor race

A political newcomer has joined two city office veterans in the race to become the next mayor of Jackson.

John Graham, owner of Graham Business Machines, will be the first name voters see on the April 3 ballot, followed by alderwoman Barbara Lohr and aldermen David Reiminger. The winner will be the first new mayor in 14 years, replacing Paul Sander, who is stepping aside following an unsuccessful bid for Cape Girardeau County clerk.

While Graham said his candidacy is an attempt to shake up city government in Jackson, Lohr and Reiminger said they will campaign on platforms focusing on recent city accomplishments and the need to keep moving in the same direction.

Reiminger is the first candidate to make a public splash with his campaign, staking large signs at prominent locations in Jackson. Reiminger, who has never run in a contested race during seven terms as an alderman, explained the early start: "I have kind of an aggressive campaign committee."

Lohr's signs will go up sometime in January, she said, while Graham didn't say when he would start placing signs.

While candidates work to build a positive name, some who oppose Graham already are working to tear him down. An anonymous package received by the Southeast Missourian this week shows the results of an Internet search of Missouri's court system Web site CaseNet, purporting to show numerous traffic offenses, criminal cases and civil actions against a "John W. Graham." But a closer examination revealed that none, except in two minor small-claims cases, was the John Graham running for mayor.

"That is pretty sad," Graham said. "I was warned in advance they might stoop to that level."

Graham wouldn't comment on who he thinks "they" are. "There is not a perfect man in this world, but the issue is what levels will someone go to keep someone from being elected. I am the right man for the job, and when I tell you something, I keep my word."

Both Lohr and Reiminger disavowed any knowledge of the mailing and said their campaigns would promote their ideas and experience.

Lohr noted that "John Graham" is a common name. "I can guarantee from my standpoint that it will not turn bitter, either against David or Mr. Graham," she said.

Reiminger said that when he receives anonymous mail, he immediately tosses it in the trash. "Negativism gets you nowhere, and there is a matter of ethics involved here."

Issues in Jackson for the coming two years will include continued development, especially along East Main Street as the new interchange is opened, as well as infrastructure improvements and the recent run up in electric rates, according to the candidates.

The city needs to issue more bonds for water and sewer projects, Reiminger said. "The road to success is always under construction," he said.

Lohr didn't mention any possible bond issues in an interview, but she said her experience on the city Planning and Zoning Commission prior to winning a board seat five years ago will help her lead the city during the development to come.

"I want to be mayor not to make any great changes but simply because I want to serve a community that is wonderful," Lohr said.

Graham said being an outsider watching the Jackson Board of Aldermen work was part of the push to run. Too often, he said, the board makes decisions in its meetings without any discussion or debate, which leads him to believe too much work is done out of public view.

Aldermen hold work sessions on the second and fourth Monday of each month, with items discussed at that time on their regular meeting agendas on the first and third Mondays.

"There are not enough opportunities for residents of Jackson to have input in the decision-making process," Graham said.

The recent increase in electric rates -- rates rise 12 percent Jan. 1, the second of three similar rate increases three months apart -- should also be re-examined, Graham said. "I believe there are some other alternatives out there."

Filing for mayor and four seats on the board continues until Jan. 16.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611 extension 126