Cape Girardeau city engineer and assistant resign

Cape Girardeau city engineer Mark Lester has resigned, effective Feb. 18, to start his own engineering firm.

Assistant city engineer Melanie Gertis is also leaving to join Lester's firm, city officials said Friday.

"I'm looking for greener pastures," Lester said.

Lester said private engineering work can be profitable and that he hopes to do engineering work on public works projects.

He has served in the city engineer's office since July 1990. He was promoted to city engineer in May 1996.

During his tenure directing the engineering department, the city has completed sewer, water and street projects totaling over $100 million.

As city engineer, Lester helped draw up the city's first and only roundabout, at Gordonville Road and Silver Springs Road. The project drew public criticism and prompted some revisions.

Through it all, Lester retained his sense of humor. "That probably will be my legacy," he joked Friday.

Gertis has worked for the city since February 1996. She was appointed assistant city engineer in July 2001.

City manager Doug Leslie said public works director Tim Gramling, a licensed engineer, will take on some of the city engineering duties until a new city engineer is hired.

Civil engineer Abdul Alkadry will serve as interim assistant city engineer, Leslie said.