JACKSON MAYOR RACE IS POSSIBLE; SANDER SAYS HE MAY FILE AGAINST MEYER

JACKSON -- A rare mayor's race could highlight next spring's Jackson municipal election. Ward 1 Alderman Paul Sander said Monday he is considering running against the 11-term incumbent mayor, Carlton Meyer.

Sander told a reporter after Monday's Board of Alderman meeting, "I am considering running either for another term as alderman or the position of mayor."

During the meeting, the aldermen approved legislation setting the filing period and date for the municipal election.

The filing period opens at 8 a.m. on Jan. 5, and closes at 5 p.m., Feb. 2. The election will be held on April 6. Jackson does not have a primary election.

Besides Meyer and Sander, others whose terms expire in April include City Collector Beverly Nelson, Ward 2 Alderman Kevin Sawyer, Ward 3 Alderman Val Tuschhoff, and Ward 4 Alderman Jack Piepenbrok. After the board meeting, they announced they announced they would seek re-election.

Meyer is completing his 22nd year as mayor, while Nelson is serving out her first term in office.

Sander is completing his third term in office. He has served seven years as a city alderman; six years in Ward 1, and one year in Ward 3.

"I definitely want to stay in city government, either as an alderman or as mayor," Sander said. "I will make a decision on which office to seek before the filing period opens next month."

Sander said that during the past several months he's been approached by a number of Jackson residents who have asked him to consider running for mayor.

"At this time, I want to find out if there is additional support in the community for my candidacy for mayor. If I decide not to run for mayor, I will seek re-election as Ward 1 alderman and continue to work as hard in that office as I have in the past," Sander stated. "I am very proud of Jackson, and I want to make a decision that will be the best for our community and the citizens."

Sawyer is completing his fourth, two-year term as alderman. Tuschhoff is completing her first term on the board after upsetting former alderman Leonard Dambach in 1991. Piepenbrok is completing his fourth term as alderman.

In other business, the aldermen approved full payment of $43,130.68 to Lappe Cement Finishing for paving of Litz Park Road. The city will complete the shoulder and seeding work next spring.

Acting City Engineer Rich Bowen reported all paving work on White Oak is completed, and the street should be open to traffic by Wednesday or Thursday.

The board approved the purchase of a 1982 Chevrolet truck for $7,750. The truck will be used in conjunction with the city's wood chipping machine. Also approved was the purchase of a used road grader for $85,000.

Alderman David Ludwig told the board he has received numerous favorable comments from the public about the new Christmas decorations on East Jackson Boulevard and other streets in the business district. He said the Jackson Chamber of Commerce is still taking donations for the purchase of additional decorations.

It was also announced that city hall will close at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve.