CAPE CITY MANAGER TO RETIRE; THREE DECADES OF SERVICE TO END

Cape Girardeau City Manager J. Ronald Fischer will retire this summer, ending three decades of service in city and county government.

Fischer, who will turn 62 on July 27, made the announcement at the end of Monday night's City Council meeting.

Fischer has headed the city for the past seven years. He was selected as city manager in January 1988 and began his duties on Feb. 15, 1988.

"I would like to retire by Aug. 1," he said.

Fischer, who at one time owned and operated a grocery store, said he has enjoyed working as city manager.

Fischer served on the Cape Girardeau council from 1965-67. He then served on the Cape Girardeau County Commission for 20 years before, he was hired as Cape's city manager.

Councilman Tom Neumeyer said, "I hate to see him go. It is going to be a loss for the city."

Mayor Al Spradling III said the council will meet in the next couple of weeks to discuss plans for hiring a new city manager. The first step will be to set up a search committee, the mayor said.