EIGHT SOWRN IN FOR NEW COUNTY-OFFICE TERMS

JACKSON - Eight Cape Girardeau County officeholders were sworn in for new terms Thursday in a brief noon ceremony at the county commission's chambers.

All but one of the officials were re-elected to new terms in the Nov. 3 general election. The lone newcomer is 1st District Associate Commissioner Larry Bock.

New terms took effect Friday.

About 15 people - mainly family members of the officeholders - attended the ceremony.

Sworn in for new terms were: Treasurer Bill Reynolds, Public Administrator John Ferguson, 2nd District Associate Commissioner E.C. Younghouse, Sheriff Norman Copeland, Coroner John Carpenter, Surveyor Carlston Friese, and Assessor Jerry Reynolds.

County Clerk Rodney Miller administered the oath. The clerk congratulated the officeholders on winning the election and stressed that one of the great things about Cape County government is that officeholders put politics aside and work for the good of the people after the elections.

"We are all very fortunate to be able to work in Cape County; we have great citizens here to work for," said Miller.

He said the county is in good condition financially and there is a sincere spirit of cooperation.

"One reason is that once we get beyond the election and in our offices in this building, we put politics aside ... politics is not the driver in this building," said Miller.

Thursday also marked the final county commission session for Leonard Sander, who lost his re-election bid this year. Sander spent some of his time Thursday bidding county employees farewell and tying up final loose ends.

Sander closes a career in county government that lasted two decades - four years as circuit clerk and 16 years as 1st District associate commissioner.