JACKSON CITY COMMENTARY: OFFICER AT SCHOOL IS BENEFICIAL, YET SAD STEP

Several officials from the Missouri Department of Economic Development recently spent time in Jackson and the Cape County area. Included in these officials were project managers, marketing, training and finance staff.

The purpose of their visit was to tour the area communities and to see available industrial sites and buildings. The DED officials felt our new 60-ac~e tract on Highway 61 north has tremendous potential. We appreciate DED taking time to come to our home turf to see what we have to offer expanding and new industry that may have an interest in coming to the most progressive County in southern Missouri. Jackson looks forward to continuing our excellent relationship with DED.

In cooperation with the Jackson R-2 school system the City of Jackson will participate in a 75 percent state funds, 25 percent local funds three year grant program that will employ a full time police officer in the R-2 school system. The plan is to implement this program with the beginning of the school year in August. While I see the need to protect our children to the highest possible degree I find it sad that violence in schools around the country has led to police officers being located in many schools. It is our hope that this officer will have a positive impact on the R-2 school system; but let's not forget where our children and grandchildren gain their best training for good behavior and high values. This is at home with their parents, grandparents and other family members.

The city of Jackson will be asphalt overlaying some existing local streets this fall. If you have a suggestion of a street that is in need of an upgrade please call City Hall, your Alderman or myself and we will be happy to consider your request.

No other function of a growing City such as Jackson can have a more positive impact on the long-term development of the community than Planning and Zoning. The city of Jackson has a nine-member Planning and Zoning Commission that has regular monthly meetings, discusses the issues and then makes its recommendations to the city council. The most common question concerning planning and zoning is what is the procedure for changing the zoning on a piece of property? The answer is a zoning change can be requested by the property owner or initiated by the city.

After a request is made there are legal steps that are required before planning and zoning and the city council can act on the request. The planning and zoning board considers the request first and may or may not choose to have a public hearing on the issue. After full consideration the planning and Zoning commission then makes a written recommendation to the city council. The council will then set a public hearing of its own and after the hearing and full consideration will act on the request. Notice of any public hearing by the planning and zoning commission or the city council must be published in a local newspaper at least two weeks prior to the hearing. If you have an interest in re-zoning a piece of property you own or just have a question concerning zoning in general please contact the Public Works Office at City Hall and they will be happy to give you any information you need.

Plan to come to the annual Jackson Homecomers celebration August 17-21. Fun will be had by all who attend and the funds collected by the local service club food stands will come back to benefit Jackson through their programs in the community.

The council meets every Monday at City Hall at 7:30 p.m. These meetings are always open to the public and your comments, suggestions and ideas on how we can make an even better place are welcomed.