AUDITOR WILL SEEK NEW TERM

JACKSON -- After serving as county auditor during Cape Girardeau County's transition from third class to second class status, H. Weldon Macke says he is seeking re-election in the hopes of being part of moving the county toward first class status in 1996.

Macke, who was first elected auditor in 1968, explained that the move to first class needs to be monitored carefully to insure Cape Girardeau County remains in sound financial condition.

He noted that the county's financial situation has changed dramatically during his tenure as auditor.

"It has taken sound business practices, tight spending, excellent cooperation from all county offices and departments, and a sound money management policy to take us from borrowing funds in the 1970s to the very sound financial conditions that we enjoy in the 1990s," said Macke.

"New techniques, standards, computers and other modern devices have made my job easier, but whether it is with modern equipment or the old pen and pencil, two plus two still must equal four."

A Republican, Macke is the first candidate to file for auditor this year.

Macke serves on the National Association of Counties Task Force on Financing and Taxation and maintains a close relationship with the Missouri Association of Counties, where he is a past president and board member.

He also serves as chairman of the board of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Council and as a member of the State and National Association of Regional Planning Councils. He is also a member of the State Association of County Auditors, of which he is past president.

By serving on these groups, Macke said he has been kept informed about the rapid changes occurring in government and it has better equipped him to deal with the financial section of county government.

Macke pointed out that the state and federal branches of government are trying to reduce some of their costs by passing programs down to the county level, but without sharing the bill.

"This is a big problem now and will become a greater problem as time goes on," said Macke.

During his 25 years in public office, Macke said he has grown wiser in matters that affect the county and its citizens.

"When I first filed for this office, I pledged that my office would always be open to the public for whatever they wished to know. It still is and will continue to be if I am re-elected," said Macke. "The only hazard is that government has grown more complicated and segmented each year."

Macke praised his two deputy auditors, Peggy Kuehle and Mrs. Virgie Koeppel, for their service and commitment to public service.

"If elected, my pledge to the people of Cape County remains the same. I will, to the best of my ability, continue to serve Cape County with sound financial practices, and my office will always be open to all of its citizens."

Macke is a native of Gordonville where he and his wife, the former Bonnie Bierschwal, reside. They have three daughters: Pamela Johnson and Karen Yarbro, of Jackson, and Barbara Stroder of Jefferson City. They have four grandchildren.

Macke is active in the United Methodist Church. He and his wife attend Gordonville United Methodist Church where he teaches Sunday school, serves on the finance committee, and belongs to the men's group. He also serves the Missouri East Conference as an at-large delegate and a member of the Financial and Administration Committee and the Insurance Board. He also serves the General United Methodist Church on the Finance and Administration Committee.

He is active in many organizations, including: the Rotary Club of Jackson; the Cape Girardeau and Jackson chambers of commerce; a trustee of the board at Southeast Missouri Hospital; a member of the Copper Dome Society and a member of the Southeast Missouri State University Foundation Board; a member of the Mercantile Bank board of directors; the Southeast Missouri Fair Association; a member of the advisory board of the Crime Lab at Agriculture Department at Southeast Missouri State; a member of Farm Bureau; and a trustee of the Rasche-Kies Memorial Trust for Crippled Children.

Macke is a graduate of Jackson High School, attended Southeast Missouri State for two years and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.