DENNIS: THERE'S NO TURNING BACK ON DECISION TO RETIRE

JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Sen. John Dennis announced his retirement from public office eight months ago, but the decision wasn't final until 5 p.m., March 31.

That's when the deadline expired for candidates seeking office on the 1992 ballot, and for Dennis, the deadline's expiration meant there was no turning back.

For the first time in 40 years his name won't appear on a ballot during a presidential election year. He served as sheriff of Scott County for 24 years and is winding up his 16th year in the Senate.

Dennis observed the passing of the deadline Tuesday afternoon in the office of Sen. John Scott, D-St. Louis, a close friend. He laughed at colleagues' threats that they might forcibly take him to the secretary of state's office to file, and he politely turned down dozens of offers from well-wishers willing to pay his $100 filing fee.

Since returning to the capitol for his final session, the 74-year old state senator has been deluged with encouragement from colleagues, lobbyists, Senate staff members, and constituents to re-consider his decision and file for another term.

On Jan. 15 he continued a tradition by accompanying Scott and Sen. James Mathewson, D-Sedalia, to the secretary of state's office to file for re-election. They had done it in 1984 and 1988. But in 1992, Dennis didn't join Scott and Mathewson as they filed.

He had made a difficult decision months before and wasn't looking back.

As he sat in his capitol office Wednesday morning, just across the hall from the Senate chamber, Dennis acknowledged he would miss the Senate and public service, but said time had come and gone.

"I know I'll miss it a lot," Dennis said. "But it's time to get some new blood in there. And, I'll help anyone who wins the election to replace me anyway that I can.

"There is a time and place for everyone, and I've had my time and place. I made my decision and I'm going to stick to it. It's been fun, but not enough to file again."

On Wednesday, he kept a close eye on the clock as the 10 a.m. starting time of the day's Senate session approached, and indicated he didn't want to be late. "I don't have too many hours left on the floor of the Senate," he said.

Dennis' legacy as a member of the Senate won't be measured by his oratorical skills on the floor. Throughout his career - unlike many colleagues - Dennis rarely spoke on the floor of the Senate.

"I'm not up on the floor like some of them all the time," he said. "I'm probably the world's worst speaker."

Dennis - sincerely and respectfully nicknamed by his colleagues "The Great One" - has made his mark on the Senate with the way he deals with people. Colleagues say he is a man of his word honest and straightforward in the way he deals with people.

His effectiveness has been behind the scenes in committee hearings, caucuses, and endless meetings bringing differing views together in compromise.

The senator admitted having some second thoughts about retiring, but said he never seriously considered reversing the decision he made last July. "It's been real tempting several times, because it gets in your blood," he said.

"This is a great group of people to be around in the Senate, and I want to thank all the people for supporting me all these years.

"I think that I will be leaving here with more friends than when I came up here," he added. "I couldn't ask for a better group of people to work with than the members of the Senate."

Dennis' office is just as crowded as always, and the open door policy he has maintained throughout his Senate tenure remains in effect. He hasn't noticed any decrease in visitors since he became a "lame duck." Most people who come by, usually allude to his retirement at some point in the discussion.

After encouraging him to change his mind, visitors inquire about his future plans and wonder who they are going to turn to for help in the Senate after he's gone.

Visitors to Dennis' office are greeted by secretaries Phyllis Adams, of Cape Girardeau, and Jean Bardgett, wife of former Missouri Supreme Court justice John Bardgett, who took over after his longtime secretary Yvonne Miller retired earlier this year.

The legislative session ends May 15, but Dennis plans to remain an active senator until the end of his term. "I'm going to go strong until the end of the year," he insisted. "I'm asking to be on some good committees during the interim so that I can gradually wind down."

Dennis has been pondering what he will do when his term in the Senate officially ends just after the first of the year, and how he will keep busy after four decades of politics. At this point, he really doesn't know what he'll do.

But don't expect Dennis to spend his retirement in Florida or Arizona. "I'm going to stay in Scott County - that's where I plan to retire," he said. "Whatever I do, I don't want to be tied down."

In looking ahead Dennis realized that once he leaves office, the frequent visitors who for years have stopped by his house near Benton to seek his help, won't be there anymore. "That will seem a little strange," he said.

All three Democrats who have filed for Dennis' seat would like nothing better than to have the senator's endorsement. But at this point Dennis said he has no intention of stating a preference between Sikeston Mayor Bill Burch, former State Rep. Betty Hearnes, and Cape Girardeau City Councilman Hugh White.

"That's why I announced early I wasn't going to run so anyone who wanted it could get in the race and win it on their own," said Dennis. "I do intend to back the Democratic nominee."

Dennis will say, however, that of the Senate candidates, Hearnes has the most experience.

His one primary election endorsement has been saved for Sen. Roger Wilson, who is a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor.

With six weeks remaining in this session, Dennis plans to enjoy the final days of his final session. He smiles as he describes the jockeying underway between senators who want to push their bills through before adjournment.

"Everybody is on edge about their bills. It's an exciting time here right now," Dennis said. "I'm going to miss it."

When the last day of this Senate session comes, Dennis said he isn't sure what his feelings will be like. "I think I'll have mixed emotions about it," said Dennis.

And while Dennis is proud of his long career of public service, and is aware of the impact he's had on the lives of many, he has no illusions about state government sans John Dennis. He knows the Senate will get along fine without him.

During his years in government, Dennis said he has seen many fine public servants come and go. People change - life goes on.

"They soon forget you," he added.

But Woody Simmons, a native of Mississippi County and now a lobbyist, begs to differ with the senator.

"They don't forget the good ones," insisted Simmons. "They won't forget John Dennis."