CAPE GIRARDEAU WELCOMES ITS NEW CITY MANAGER TODAY

Michael G. Miller hasn't had much time to think about his new job as Cape Girardeau city manager.

Miller begins his duties today and will attend the City Council meeting tonight.

He and his wife, Janice, just bought a home in the Northfield area and moved in the first week of October.

"We are in the process of getting boxes unloaded," Miller said Friday.

The Millers also have been busy trying to sell their two houses in St. Louis.

The Millers spent their first week in Cape Girardeau learning their way around town.

"I am just impressed by the community itself," Miller said. "People are friendly, very helpful. I am finding the town easy to get around in."

The City Council hired Miller, 58, from among five finalists in late August. Council members described Miller as people-oriented and said he won't spend all his time behind a desk.

Since then, Miller has had little contact with city officials. He said the move has occupied much of his time.

Miller said he isn't coming into office with any definite goals, adding: "I need to get my feet on the ground. My main priority is to find out what is going on, and to start talking with department heads."

Miller plans to sit down with council members in an effort to get to know them better and find out what they view as important to the community.

Miller is Cape Girardeau's fifth city manager in 30 years.

He worked as a management consultant before taking the Cape Girardeau job.

He moved here from Ferguson, where he served as city manager from April 1989 to November 1993.

As Ferguson's city manager, Miller fostered better rapport between the city staff and the public.

Miller has directed city governments in Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota.

A native of the Catskill Mountains in New York, Miller has lived in the Midwest for the past 30 years.

The Millers have five children.

Doug Leslie has served as interim city manager since the summer retirement of J. Ronald Fischer.

Leslie will return to full-time duties as public works director.