CITY COUNCIL HIRES ERIC CUNNINGHAM FULL-TIME CITY ATTORNEY

Eric Cunningham has handled the job of Cape Girardeau city attorney for several months. Now it will be permanent.

City Manager Michael Miller appointed Cunningham and the City Council consented Monday night.

Cunningham, 38, had served as interim city attorney since Warren Wells resigned in August to take a job as legal counsel with Northeast Missouri State University at Kirksville.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity," said Cunningham, who will get a salary of $50,000. "I like to do things for the good of the community," he said, adding that he prefers public service to private practice.

The city had advertised for candidates for city attorney but received few applications.

Miller said he hired Cunningham because he was "very impressed" with how he handled the job on an interim basis.

The appointment is the first of several personnel moves expected in the next few months.

The city manager hopes to hire a new city engineer this spring. Miller also plans to hire an administrative assistant. He said he wants an administrative assistant rather than an assistant city manager because he doesn't want to put another administrator between himself and other members of the city staff.

A native of Mountain Grove, Mo., Cunningham graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1983.

Since graduation, Cunningham has practiced law in Cape Girardeau. He has worked for two law firms, including the law firm of Mayor Al Spradling III. Cunningham worked for the Spradling and Spradling firm for about eight years before being hired as assistant city attorney in 1993.

As assistant city attorney, Cunningham prosecuted cases in Municipal Court.

Since assuming the top spot in the legal department, city cases have been prosecuted by Scott City lawyer Bob Gowen on a part-time, contractual basis.

Cunningham said a permanent assistant city attorney will be hired.

"Bob Gowen has done a super job, but it does really help to have someone that can be here on a regular basis," Cunningham said.