JACKSON -- Mayor Carlton Meyer says if re-elected to a 12th term in office, his goal is continued progress in order to make the city of Jackson, "First in jobs, first in quality of life, first in planned growth, first in environmental responsibility, and first in city management."

Meyer also pointed to city progress accomplished during his tenure.

"Progress as shown during my terms in office that include improvements in many areas: new and expanding industries, a modern, wastewater treatment plant, increased power capacity at the municipal power plant, new and expanding commercial business areas in the city and growing residential areas, plus paving and upgrading city streets."

Meyer also cited the recent five-lane widening of East Jackson Boulevard (Highway 61) eastward to I-55, and the city's growth in population in the 1990 census, one of the few Southeast Missouri towns to show any marked increase in population growth - both of which occurred during his tenure as mayor.

"I want to see this progress continue into the 1990s," Meyer continued. "My goals are to complete present projects and initiate new ones to make `Jackson First.'"

Meyer has lived in Jackson for over 50 years. He is now semi-retired, having operated Jackson Frozen Food Lockers for 43 years. Meyer says his semi-retirement gives him more time to devote to the office of mayor, and representing Jackson on the local, county, district and state levels.

Meyer is a member and past president of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, past president and member of the Jackson Rotary Club, and Rotary Club district governor.

Meyer is a veteran of World War II, having served 3 years in the Army Air Force, and 30 years in the Missouri National Guard. He is a member of the Jackson American Legion, past president of the Jackson Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Missouri state VFW commander.

He is currently secretary-treasurer of the Jackson Industrial Development Corp., vice president of the Regional Commerce and Growth Association, a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Also filing this week for re-election to her Ward 3 seat on the Jackson Board of Alderman was Valerie Tuschhoff. She is completing her first term on the board. "It has been a learning experience for me," said Tuschhoff. "I feel I have learned a lot during the past two years as a new alderman, and now I'm ready to put that experience to work.

"I have always been interested in the welfare of Jackson. We have a very solid community that all of us are very proud of. I have been very active in the community because I want to see Jackson continue to grow and become the best city in this area."

Looking back at her first term on the board, Tuschhoff says she is particularly pleased with the role she played in getting traffic signals located at the busy intersection of West Jackson Boulevard and West Lane, near the R.O. Hawkins Junior High School and West Lane Elementary.

"I worked long and hard, along with other aldermen on the board, to get the stoplights out there. It wasn't easy, but we got them, and I'm very pleased that I was able to assist in that project," she noted.

Tuschhoff serves as board of alderman's representative on the Jackson Library Board, and served on the Jackson YELL newspaper committee.

She is past president and a member of the board of directors of the Cape Girardeau County Rotary Club, and past president and current member of the Jackson chapter of the American Business Women's Association.

Tuschhoff currently serves as secretary of the church council of the Emmanuel Church of Christ.

Ward 4 Alderman Jack Piepenbrok is completing his fourth term on the board. "I have enjoyed my work as an alderman. We have so many things going for us and I want to make sure they come to a successful conclusion," he said. "Right now, the board is working on a whole new zoning plan; we're also working on long-range plans for the expansion of the city's road and transportation system.

"We've seen a lot of industrial development in Jackson during my eight years as alderman. Now, we're starting in a new industrial development organization with Cape Girardeau and other nearby communities. I want to continue to be a part of this planning and growth."