JACKSON CITY COMMENTARY: FIRE DEPARTMENT NOW HELPS SAVE MANY LIVES

On July 1, 1998 the Jackson Fire Department started providing emergency medical services to the citizens of Jackson. In 11 short months, more than 300 medical assistance calls have been answered and several lives have been saved by this important new city service. The Jackson Fire Department, under the leadership of Chief Brad Golden, now has EMS First Responders and Emergency Medical Technicians on staff.

Many times our Fire Department has assisted the Cape County Ambulance Service in trying to offer the best possible care. An ambulance is now located in Jackson from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, seven days a week. Our Fire Department works with and assists in calls when an ambulance is needed. When a serious illness or an accident occurs, minutes count. The city council and I are very proud that the Jackson Fire Department has taken the lead in offering a new medical service to Jackson.

The Jackson Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual banquet on Monday, June 21. Congressman Jim Tallent will be the speaker. Tickets can be obtained through he chamber office, by calling 243-8131.

The GFWC/Thursday Literary Ladies Club of Jackson recently celebrated its 90th birthday. This ladies club was instrumental in the formation of what is known today as the Jackson Public Library. The group's goal has always been "to improve the community." This was evident in 1923 when the group petitioned the Jackson City Council to enact an ordinance banning chickens from running loose on the streets of uptown Jackson. Some time later they also petitioned the council to require local business owners to remove the junk from behind their businesses. This happened in the days before trash pick-up was available and some say this led to weekly trash pick-ups in Jackson. Happy birthday GFWC and thank your or your service to our community.

Look for new speed limits signs along East Jackson Blvd. MoDOT has approved a safer, more uniform speed limit for this growing area. The new speed limit will be e 40 mph from the intersection of 25/61/72 (at the police and fire station) all the way east, just past the new Wal-Mart at Old Cape Road. The speed limit east of Old Cape Road will be 55, to the city limits at I-55.

The council meets every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at city hall. Your comments and suggestions on how we can make Jackson and even better place are always welcome.