ANNA PUBLISHER, CIVIC LEADER SEEKS SEAT WHEN STATE SEN. DUNN RETIRES

ANNA, Ill. -- Jerry L. Reppert, an Anna businessman and publisher of the Gazette-Democrat and other publications, is a candidate to fill the remainder of the term of state Sen. Ralph Dunn, who plans to retire from the post before his term expires in December 1996.

Dunn has not set a date for his retirement, but when he retires a successor will be selected by the Republican county chairmen from the seven counties in the 58th District, including part of Reppert's home Union County.

The district consists of Jackson, Perry, Randolph, Washington and Monroe counties, and parts of Union and St. Clair counties.

Reppert is one of seven or eight candidates interested in the position, and has gained support from a number of the county chairmen and some state political leaders.

"I've talked to Sen. Dunn and others about this," Reppert said Wednesday. "If appointed to the unfinished term, I can run as an incumbent in the March primary."

A number of people have urged Reppert to consider filling the term and to seek the Republican nomination for the post next spring.

Reppert has a record of successes as an individual working for economic development and community improvement throughout the region.

As president of the Southernmost Illinois Prison Committee, he directed a regional effort that selected Tamms in Alexander County for the new super maximum state prison, which will employ more than 400 people and an annual payroll of $11 million when it opens. The work camp at the prison is already in operation.

Reppert is also involved in the Southernmost Illinois Development Committee working to attract industry to several Southern Illinois counties.

As an entrepreneur, Reppert founded the Anna-Jonesboro Cable TV Co., constructing a cable system that serves the community. He established Reppert's Warehouse Office Furniture, which serves Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri with office supplies and office furniture. Other business involvements include real estate properties, motels, travel agencies, a leasing company and a construction company.

This is in addition to Reppert Publications, which publishes the Anna Gazette-Democrat and Monday's Pub in Anna; the Cairo Citizen and Tri-State Advertiser in Cairo and other publications including River Country Outdoors, Midwest Antique and Collectible News, the Scout, and other publications.

Reppert, a native of Anna, attended schools in Anna and received a degree in journalism at Kansas State University. He became editor of the weekly newspaper established by his parents, and started building Reppert Publications. He is also president of North Scott Publishing Inc., which produces advertising supplements in a five-state area, and president of Cape Central Publishing Inc., in Cape Girardeau, which recently constructed a new, 13,000-square-foot building, which houses two commercial press lines.

Reppert has 20 years of military service, and reached the rank of lieutenant commander in the Navy reserves.

Reppert and his wife, Dianne, live in Anna. A son, Shannon, is an elementary schoolteacher, and a daughter, Tyra, is a junior at Southeast Missouri State University.