JACKSON CITY COMMENTARY: JOINT ANNEXATION TALKS LEAD TO ORDERLY GROWTH, BETTER COOPERATION

The city of Jackson has completed a major upgrade in its communication repeater systems for the Police, Fire and Public Works departments. Each department is now transmitting on its own improved channel.

A repeater is a radio mounted on a tower that is able to be contacted by another radio and then the tower radio re-transmits or repeats the radio signal back to the base station. Before this upgrade all departments were having some problems with clear communication because of the growth Jackson has incurred. Since these new repeaters have been in operation, we have been able to communicate with our base stations in areas we could not in the past. This enhanced capability has improved the safety of our citizens at police, fire and emergency medical scenes.

The city of Jackson's Highway 61 Industrial tract was recently cleared for future development. A gravel road with a turnaround is being put in as well as an information sign on the property. There has already been some interest in new and expanding industry locating on this tract. Its close location to 1-55 and Jackson's reputation as being a great place to live will help in the marketing process. This is a long term project that will in time bring more jobs to Jackson. We will budget in the future for the needed infrastructure improvements on the site. The timetable for the infrastructure will depend on how fast the tract attracts new and expanding business.

The Jackson Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual banquet on June 19. Come out and support our local Chamber. For tickets and more information call the Chamber office at 243-8131.

The Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District held Court in Jackson last month. Several members of the Council and I had the pleasure of meeting Chief Justice Mary Rhodes Russell and several other Justices during their stay. It was an honor for Jackson to have the Court of Appeals in session in our city. By all reports it had been decades since the Appeals Court was in Jackson.

The Joint Jackson-Cape Girardeau future annexation planning committee recently met at the Osage Center in Cape. The committee was formed as a result of the first joint Jackson-Cape Council meeting. The work between the two communities since then has resulted a non-binding flexible corridor being created between 1-55, Rt. K and Hwy. 25 that will serve as a guideline for future requested annexations for both of our growing communities. This cooperation and planning is very important for the planning of future infrastructure for both communities. The major street plan of both cities has also been studied as to not conflict with each other.

This is simply a cooperative planning process and not an effort to annex anyone who doesn't want to. But as our cities continue to expand and as services become available in these areas friendly annexation requests and development will occur. This effort should help the future orderly growth of Jackson and Cape Girardeau and avoid any possible conflicts. Both the Jackson and Cape city councils and both cities' Planning and Zoning boards are in the process of reviewing the Joint Committee's recommendations. Stay tuned!

The Council meets every Monday at 7:30 p.m., at City Hall in Jackson. Your suggestions and ideas are always welcome.