FIRST DAY OF FILINGS BUSY IN JACKSON

JACKSON -- The Jackson city clerk's office was a busy place Tuesday morning as nine candidates, including four incumbents, filed on the first day for municipal offices that will be filled in April.

Among those waiting to file Tuesday for municipal offices was incumbent mayor Carlton Meyer, who is facing his first re-election challenge since 1981 from Ward One Alderman Paul Sander. Sander also filed Tuesday.

Five seats will be filled on the board of aldermen. Candidates who filed early Tuesday for the board are:

- Ward 2 Alderman Kevin Sawyer.

- Robert "Butch" Wright, who is running for the Ward 3 seat now held by Alderman Valerie Tuschhoff.

- Dave Reiminger, who is running for the one-year, unexpired term of Alderman Phil Johnston.

- Ward 4 Alderman Jack Piepenbrok.

- Ward 3 Alderman Valerie Tuschhoff.

- Vicki Abernathy, who is running for the Ward 1 seat now held by Alderman Paul Sander.

Also filing Tuesday for another term was City Collector Beverly Nelson.

Meyer is seeking his 12th term as mayor. He was first elected in 1973, after defeating incumbent mayor, Paul Leonard. Meyer is the retired owner of Jackson Frozen Food Lockers. He lives at 820 West Jackson Boulevard with his wife, Clemency. The couple has two grown sons and a daughter, all of whom live in Jackson. His sons, Charles and Craig, presently operates the food locker business. A native of Cape Girardeau County, Meyer has resided in Jackson since 1925.

After he filed, Meyer went out of town. The long-time mayor said he would be issuing a statement today on his tenure in office and plans for a next term.

Sawyer, 35, is completing his fourth, two-year term as city alderman. He is past, two-term president of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce; serves on the Jackson Industrial Development Company board of directors, and the Jackson Planning and Zoning Commission.

He is the 1990 recipient of the Jackson Jaycees Distinguished Service Award. Sawyer is an agent with Sawyer Insurance and Realty.

As an alderman, Sawyer is a member of the Street Committee that plans street improvements in the city.

Sawyer said wants to continue to serve on the board because he enjoys the work and contact with the people of Jackson and his ward. "I've really learned a lot about city business and government the past eight years, and I want to continue to make good use of my experience to serve the citizens of Jackson," he said.

Wright, 36, of 744 Pecan Lane, is a life-long resident of Jackson. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1975, and received an associate arts degree in computer science in 1978 from Southeast Missouri State University.

Wright worked 15 years as data processing manager for Lenco, Inc. of Jackson. He was also business manager for the Human Performance Center in Cape Girardeau. Wright now owns and operates Advanced Technology Products of Jackson with his brother, Darrell.

Wright is married to the former Pam Myer of Jackson. They have two children, Dana Ann, 9, and Kaci Dawn, age 6.

He is a member of the Jackson Rotary Club, Jackson Jaycees, Jackson Merchant's Association, and the Jackson Chamber of Commerce. He and his family are members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Jackson.

This is Wright's first run for public office. "I wanted to become more active in the community," he said. "I'm an active businessman, and I would like to become more involved in our city government."

Reiminger, 39, of 1413 Greenway, is also a life-long resident of Jackson. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1972, and attended Southeast Missouri State University for two years.

Reiminger is currently president of Overhead Door Company of Jackson.

From 1982 to 1992, he served as a director on the Jackson Chamber of Commerce board of directors. He is also a member of the Southeast Missouri Homebuilders Association, Southeast Missouri Contractors Association, the Jackson Elks Lodge, the Jackson Knights of Columbus, and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

"I've worked with the public all my life through my involvement in the chamber of commerce and my daily business," he explained. "The board of aldermen is about the same as a board of directors for a large business. With my business background and experience, I feel I can be of service to the community."

Reiminger said he decided to file for the one-year, unexpired term so he can find out if he really wants to become fully involved. "If it meets my expectations, chances are I'll run for a full term as alderman. I want to get my feet wet in city government. I think it's time for me to put something back into the community that has given me a lot," Reiminger added.

Piepenbrok is completing his fourth term as city alderman. He is a life-long resident of Jackson and a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, where he received a bachelor's degree in business. He is currently executive director of the Southeast Missouri Area Labor-Management Cooperation Committee.

Piepenbrok is a member of the New McKendree United Methodist Church, Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Jackson Optimist Club, American Legion Post 158, Masonic Lodge 441, Jackson Community Task Force on Alcohol and Drugs, Jackson Elks Lodge, and Jackson Tribal Council of Jackson High School.

Piepenbrok and his wife, Beverly, have one son, Andy, and one daughter, Jessica.

Tuschhoff is completing her first term as alderman. She has lived in Jackson 37 years, and was born and raised in Friedheim, in northwest Cape Girardeau County.

She is married to Sgt. Norman Tuschhoff of the Jackson Police Department. They have two grown children: Leon and Sondra.

In addition to raising a family, Tuschhoff worked at a Cape Girardeau dress factory for 28 years, and later worked for a furniture manufacturing company in Lutesville. Eight years ago, she opened a furniture reupholstering shop in Jackson.

Tuschhoff is a member of the Emmanuel United Church of Christ. She is an active member of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson Merchant's Association.

This is Abernathy's first try at public office, but she said politics runs in her family. Both her father, Jim Litzelfelner, and uncle, Jack Litzelfelner, have been involved in local political affairs. "I'm very interested in politics, and this is a good place to start as alderman," she said.

Abernathy lives at 130 S. Shawnee, with her husband, John, and their 14-year-old daughter, Amanda. "I grew up in Jackson, graduated from Jackson High School in 1966, and attended Southeast Missouri State University for five years, where I majored in speech and theater," she said. "I was a flight attendant for Braniff Airlines for 15 years and was based in Dallas, Texas, where I lived."

Abernathy returned to Jackson in 1987. For the past 10 years, she has worked as a furniture showroom hostess in Dallas for Harris-Marcus of Chicago and High Point, N.C.

She is currently president of the Jackson Heritage Association, a member of the Thursday Literary Club, and past member of the American Business Women's Association. Abernathy also served as the director of Jackson's 175th anniversary pageant.

Nelson is completing her first term as city collector. She has worked in the collector's office for 18 years.

"I enjoy my work and working with and meeting the people of Jackson," Nelson said. "Being a hometown person, I am very interested in the city of Jackson. I feel my 18 years of experience in the collectors office shows I am interested in the job and enables me to serve my community."

Nelson and her husband, Richard, reside at 620 Parkview. They have three grown children.

The filing period for municipal offices will continue until Feb. 2. Candidates may file from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, at the city clerk's office.