AUXVASSE, Mo. - Auxvasse's newest alderwoman has big plans, and she hopes her community will help realize them.
"A lot of these projects center around bringing the community together," South Ward Alderwoman Jessica Hooks said.
She said she's hoping to establish a memorial garden, replant the area around the signs welcoming people to Auxvasse, fix up the Auxvasse Cemetery, and more.
Hooks was appointed to the position about a month ago after Alderman Tom Henage was elected mayor. She said the mayor and local police Chief Kevin Suedmeyer encouraged her to take the position.
"I was already at city hall volunteering to help however I could," Hooks said. "I went home and talked to my husband Thomas, then (I said yes)."
Hooks knows the town well.
"I'm a born-and-raised Callawegian," she said.
She is a nurse at SSM St. Mary's Hospital in Audrain. Hooks has three three biological daughters "and many that call me Mom."
Hooks is already somewhat familiar with city government as a former state employee and as the sister-in-law of City Clerk Missy Hooks.
Most of all, she wants to make her community a more beautiful and safe place to live.
"There's this quote I love: 'When you are in the service of your fellow men you are only in the service of your God,'" she said.
Hooks was inspired by her former neighbor, Gary Leopold, who used to weed and water at local parks and gardens. After he grew too old, Hooks took over.
"I'd go to Lowes or wherever and get the plants that are almost dead and bring them back to life, then I'd plant them," she said.
Helping others smile helps keep a smile on her face, she said. The past few years have been marked with tragedy for her: Several years ago, her son passed away, and this year, several of her relatives died in a single month.
"I have to look for coping skills," Hooks said.
Planting ideas
Hooks said her fellow aldermen are already excited about her ideas, most of which involve city beautification.
"We're a small city with limited income," she pointed out. "I want to focus on low-cost and high-impact."
She wants to involve as many local groups, churches, children and other community members as possible with every project - though Hooks added the projects will be completed without volunteer support if necessary.
"There's a huge amount of lovely people that live in our community," she said. "There's a lot of talent, but no one ever asks them to help."
She plans on asking.
One idea near fruition is installing a memorial garden on Main Street. Kingdom Technology Solutions (KTIS) has agreed to let the city use its land for the garden, and Foster Bros. has offered to donate mulch, Hooks said. She hopes local farmers will be able to contribute soil.
"We'll pick a day where anyone can bring a plant, dig a hole, and put it in," Hooks said. "We'll have a garden in a day."
Another plan involves reviving the Auxvasse Cemetery Committee. It is down to one member.
"The walkway here, we probably need to rip out and redo, along with all the flowers and mulch," said Bret Barnes, who does maintenance at the cemetery. "We probably need to re-stain some of the benches as well."
The area around the flags also needs work, Hooks said.
Hooks also wants to start a Neighborhood Watch program. As a former sergeant at a maximum security prison and the mother of a police officer, safety is important to her.
"We're not going to be passive, but we're not going to be aggressive either," Hooks said. "We're going to be watchful. We need to watch out for our neighbors. There's a lot of people that say 'That's not my problem,' but it should be."
Many other plans are in the works as well. Hooks encourages anyone who wants to get involved or has more ideas to contact her at [email protected] or 573-386-5830.