JACKSON -- The incumbents running for mayor and the Board of Aldermen in Tuesday's election are happy to run on their records.

Mayor Paul Sander, who is opposed by attorney Scott Lipke in the election, likes to point out that "the city of Jackson enjoys its strongest financial position in our history."

The city's fund balance of nearly $10 million and its $5 million electric surplus fund, viewed as a rainy day account, are both the largest in the city's history by far.

Sander also points to the record $21.5 million in building permits registered by the city in 1998 as a barometer of the city's health.

"Jackson mirrors its slogan, `City of beautiful homes, churches, schools & parks,'" he says. "We are a respected, clean community, and we take pride in retaining our small-town, friendly atmosphere."

He also is proud of the steps the city has made to improve its relationship with Cape Girardeau. Sander, Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III and Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones are largely credited with initiating the new spirit of cooperation.

Sander, a bank manager, was elected mayor in 1993 and is seeking his fourth term.

Alderman David Hitt is opposed by Don Harris for the Ward 1 seat on the Board of Aldermen. Hitt says the No. 1 issue facing the city is its water supply, which is straining to keep up with the city's growth and experiences pressure problems.

In 1997, voters approved a $10.5 million bond issue aimed at addressing the city's water and sewer needs over the next six years.

"It's not one of those deals we're going to solve by throwing money out there," Hitt said. "It takes some time."

He thinks the city probably will have to dig another well and possibly build another water tower. But the city won't solve the lack of water pressure in some areas, he said.

A study commissioned by the city found that the city's water needs to be redistributed .

Residences along Highway 25 South probably have the lowest pressure in the city. Greensferry Road also has problems at times.

"That issue is tied into a lot of other issues like industrial and residential development," Hitt said. "We can and should not let new homes go in if we can't provide adequate water pressure."

The ability to fight fires is another issue affected by water pressure, he said.

Hitt is the director of the Cape Girardeau County Office of Emergency Preparedness.

Ward 3 Alderwoman Valerie Tuschoff is opposed by Chris Bowen in Tuesday's election. She is a retired businesswoman who has been the chairman of the board's Street Committee for the past four years.

She cites traffic flow as a problem the city needs to keep working on. "MODoT seems to be short of money right now," she said, "but we're still working and hoping to get that Main Street extension exchange in a year or two."

"And we need to keep working with the city of Cape Girardeau and MODoT to keep improving Center Junction."

Insuring an adequate water supply for the city is a long-range goal, she said.

She also emphasizes the importance of maintaining the level of city services.

"The Jackson police and fire protection capabilities must remain a top priority and never allowed to be compromised," she said.

Alderman Kerry Hoffman is running for re-election in Ward 2 against first-time candidate Richard Rushin. Hoffman was appointed to the board in 1995 and was elected to the position the following year.

Hoffman is the city's mayor pro tem and one of three members of the joint annexation committee formed with the city of Cape Girardeau.

Hoffman, who works in the fire protection department at Procter and Gamble, was unavailable for comment Friday.

Alderman Larry Hall is unopposed in the election for the Ward 4 seat. Hall was appointed to the seat last year after Alderman Jack Piepenbrok resigned.

(Sunday: A preview of all the candidates in Tuesday's election.)