Cape public works director Steve Cook looks to go from '38,000 bosses' to retirement

Steve Cook likes to say he has "38,000 bosses," a reference to the fact that as Cape Girardeau public works director he works for the city's residents.

But by month's end he will have no bosses. Cook is retiring after more than 41 years of service with the public works department.

Cook, who grew up in Fruitland, began working for the city April 18, 1977, as a wastewater plant lab technician.

Since then, he has served in a number of capacities, including environmental services coordinator, assistant public works director and, since June 2015, public works director.

His office in the spacious public works building at 2007 Southern Expressway is filled with awards for public works achievements.

But Cook insists it's his employees who deserve most of the credit.

"It's like a team," Cook said Wednesday. "You build your team to do well. It's not me," he said, comparing his role to that of a coach.

Over the years, Cook said, he has had offers for jobs elsewhere. But he turned them all down. "This is home," said Cook, who resides in Cape Girardeau.

Cook said he has enjoyed working for the city. "There is self satisfaction when you are in government work," he said. "You are a servant, and you are here to please."

Cook said of his public-works career "it never got old. I always had stuff to learn."

As public works director, Cook has headed up a city department that has more than 80 employees and 1,100 pieces of equipment, including 250 vehicles.

A lot has changed over the past four decades, Cook said. Public works operations are more high-tech now, he said.

He has seen the city open a new wastewater treatment plant and transfer station, implement automated trash pickup and curbside recycling, and develop a successful leaf collection program.

Cook remembers when public works operated out of cramped quarters on Kingshighway. He recalls when the city's sewage plant was located near the Mississippi River on the city's south side in a low-lying area that was prone to flooding.

Cook said he "boated in" to the treatment plant for about 60 days during the flood of 1993.

When the city decided to build a new treatment plant, "it was obvious we were not going to build in a floodplain," he said.

"We built on a hill. We are not going to have problems with flooding," Cook said of the new treatment plant that opened in 2014.

The city implemented an automated trash and recycling collection system in 2010, Cook said. The move eliminated the need for workers to lift and empty trash cans manually, Cook said.

As a result, public works crews have experienced fewer shoulder and back injuries and there have been fewer workmen's compensation claims, he said.

The automated collection system on the trucks also means workers are not exposed to inclement weather, said Cook. "You are not out in the rain and the snow."

Cook said he will miss his co-workers. "It is a family atmosphere," he said of his department.

He said he has been involved in the hiring of most of the department employees.

The department's favorite "employee," however, doesn't get a paycheck. "Bobby," a cat, has the run of the place. Workers feed him. He has his own bed in the sprawling public works shop.

Cook said Bobby keeps the place free of mice. Talking about Bobby brings a broad smile to Cook's face as he walks through the shop.

While Cape Girardeau has been home, Cook said he and his wife Lisa will be moving to the Aledo, Illinois, area when he retires.

He has a son who lives in the area. Cook said his new home will be a farm house his son renovated.

Cook looks forward to traveling in his recreation vehicle, hunting and fishing, and visiting his grandchildren.

"I don't see getting bored," he said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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