NO MORE CONFLICT

Jackson is a city on the grow. Subdivisions are popping up left and right, bulging the enrollment of the school district. There are currently 10 subdivisions under development.

With such a boom comes the demand for orderly development. Conflict-of-interest questions surfaced as Rich Bowen, interim city engineer for six years, signed all new subdivision plats including those submitted by his own engineering company. He owns Bowen and Lawson Professional Engineers & Surveyors.

Now, the city of Jackson has eliminated any future questions about conflict of interest. Jackson's new director of public works, Thomas Morris, will sign all new plats for subdivisions.

That isn't to say Bowen did anything wrong. He served the city well as interim engineer. But appearances can be crucial, especially when the city is dealing with so many other companies that are submitting plans. Other smaller cities have gone to rather extensive lengths to eliminate any questions of conflicts on this issue.

A growing community needs a full-time professional engineer at city hall. The addition of Morris accomplishes just that.