JACKSON CITY COMMENTARY: 1998 IN REVIEW

Happy New Year! As we start a new year it would seem to be a good time to reflect on some of our 1998 projects in the city of Jackson. It was an extremely busy and productive year as many projects were completed and others are still under way.

It would be hard to list every improvement so I will just mention several that benefit all the citizens of Jackson.

1. City purchased 60 acres along Highway 61 North for a future industrial park.

2. Obtained a $500,000 grant for infrastructure improvements on Lee Avenue. This improvement will in part help Lee-Rowan Co. to expand and add over 100 new jobs to Jackson.

3. New bridges on Washington Street at Hubble Creek and the soon to be completed bridge on Old Cape Road at Goose Creek are nice improvements for traffic flow and safety.

4. A new state of the art Rescue 6 fire engine has been added to the fleet to better protect our community.

5. Traffic signals and intersection improvements were made at Highway 61 North and Route D.

6. A new water well is now on-line to enhance the growing need for water in Jackson.

7. A new electric sub-station along East Jackson Blvd. was completed.

8. The completion and approval of a new city of Jackson Comprehensive Plan will be very important in planning for continued orderly growth.

9. Phase 1 of the East Main Street extension (from Shawnee to Oak Hill Road) is now under way. Weather permitting we hope for a late spring completion of this important project.

10. City of Jackson hired its first Parks and Recreation director to oversee park events and develop new programs for all age groups.

11. Partnership with the Jackson Chamber of Commerce on the employment of a Chamber executive director. Part of the directors job is to help existing business and to seek new business for Jackson.

1999 will bring the completion of many other projects and new challenges will arise as the year goes on. The City Council, city staff and I all look forward to meeting this year's challenges with a progressive and positive outlook.

Jackson and Cape County has become the place to be in Southeast Missouri. I want Jackson to continue to be a clean, friendly and respected town. By continuing to work together in a cooperative fashion we will have a great future.

Probably the largest Christmas basket effort ever in Jackson was just completed. Organized by the Jackson Elks and Jackson Jaycees, over 275 Christmas baskets were distributed to Jackson area families. The following organizations, schools and local business helped donate items to the Elks and Jaycee basket and toy effort:

Burger King, Coca-Cola, Gilster-Merry Lee, Howard Sales,~ James Windo~ws, ~ Lang Trucking, Pioneer Orchard, Save-a-lot, Schapers IGA, Southwestern Bell Wireless, Wal-Mart, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Jackson Police, Immaculate Conception school, St. Paul Lutheran, Jackson Middle School, Jackson Junior High, Jackson West Lane School and Jackson High School.

An amazing amount of food, toys and some clothing were donated which made this year's Jackson Elks and Jaycees Christmas Basket Program a tremendous success. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who helped in this effort that made a lot of local families' Christmas holiday a little brighter.The City Council meets every Monday at City Hall at 7:30 p.m. Your ideas and suggestions are always welcome.