JACKSON -- Three-term, Ward 1 Alderman Paul Sander says he will run for the office now held by Jackson's 11-term incumbent mayor, Carlton Meyer.

It's the first opposition Meyer has had since 1981. Meyer, who is completing his 22nd year in office, has said he will file for another term as mayor.

Sander was expected to file today at the city clerk's office.

"I have received a lot of very positive input from the citizens of Jackson urging me to run for mayor," Sander said in a prepared statement. "I enjoy city government and the daily contact I have with the citizens of Jackson, so I have decided to make this move now.

"My Board of Aldermen, civic and business experience and willingness to be flexible on all issues will be a positive force in working with the council and the citizens of Jackson as we move forward into the mid-1990s. I will advocate a good sense of cooperation between council members, city employees and every citizen of Jackson."

Sander continued, "I will promote new ideas and will be, along with the other members of the board, your voice for Jackson's future. I am very familiar with the city budget process, which is very important in these times of tight fiscal budgets.

"I am proud of my past record on the Board of Aldermen. I have worked very hard at being an effective alderman and I have been a part of many improvements in Jackson. My attendance at board meetings has been nearly perfect during my tenure as alderman."

Sander said, if elected mayor, he will be fair to all citizens, flexible on all issues and responsive to the needs of Jackson. "As a third generation uptown Jackson businessman, I am accessible to the public, to hear your concerns and comments of ways to improve Jackson," he said. "I will continue to push for road improvements as money allows and I will strive to work with the Board of Aldermen toward sound financial policies for our future.

"Jackson is a fantastic, growing community and I feel orderly growth and sound zoning practices are important to us all. Our town is on the move and I am proud to be a part of Jackson's future."

Sander promised to run what he termed "a strong, aggressive, grassroots campaign."

He said he was forming a volunteer group to help with the campaign.

Sander, 37, is married to Pamela Hahn Sander. They have two sons, Sam and Spencer. Sander is the son of former county commissioner Leonard Sander and Aleene Sander, and the grandson of the late C.H. Sander, a former mayor of Jackson.

Sander is a lifelong resident of Jackson, and a member of the New McKendree Methodist Church.

He operates SEMO Specialties and Sports Inc., and has 16 years of business experience in Jackson.

Sander is completing his seventh year as a city alderman. He is past resident and board member of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce; a Jackson Jaycees Distinguished Service Award winner for outstanding service to Jackson; a member of the Jackson Heritage Association, Jackson Elks, Jackson Jaycees, past president of the Jackson Men's Softball League, a member of the Jackson Rotary Club and the Jackson Tribal Council Booster Club. For the past six years, Sander has been the public address announcer for all Jackson High School varsity games.

Sander is the first mayoral candidate to run against Meyer since 1981 when former Jackson businessman, Tom Schulte, was defeated by 232 votes. In 1979, Schulte ran against Meyer and lost by only 39 votes. The only other opposition Meyer has had since becoming mayor was in 1977, when another Jackson businessman, Jim Smith, ran unsuccessfully against him. Meyer received 1,296 votes to Smith's 936 votes. Meyer was elected in 1973, when he defeated then-mayor Paul Leonard.

Candidates for mayor and the five aldermanic seats that will be filled in April may file at the city clerk's office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Candidates for the Jackson Board of Education may file from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.