EXPERIENCE VERSUS CHANGE ISSUE IN CLERK'S RACE

Candidates for Cape Girardeau County clerk are asking voters to decide between experience and change.

Rodney Miller, 54, is running on his experience and a record he has compiled since gaining the office Jan. 1, 1979.

Laura Beggs, 26, is running on an agenda of change; she says 16 years is long enough for anyone to hold the same public office.

Beggs said she decided to run for county clerk because of her experience and desire to serve, and to give voters a choice. "Our voters have not had a choice in a long time and have not had change in almost 16 years. It is time for change," said Beggs.

If elected, Beggs said she would only serve two or three terms.

Miller said he has invested much of his life doing the business of county clerk and wants to continue. "I am proud of being an officeholder in this, a very successful county. We have been able to make progress and serve the citizens," said Miller.

"I believe this is a job of honor. It is an opportunity to meet and work with the people and to be involved in the progress of this county."

Beggs has accused Miller of running a partisan office. She said she is aware of several instances where Miller has shown favoritism to Democrats.

"I plan to treat everyone fairly and congenially," said Beggs. "I will not tolerate the office being used for partisan purposes and will be responsible to everyone of all parties."

Miller said anyone who deals with his office knows that charges of partisanship are not true.

Said Miller: "My record stands. Ask the Republican county commission, ask the Republican county officeholders and see if they have gotten things they have needed from my office. We have treated everyone the same. Ask any Republican officeholder how fair our office is run."

Miller said the difference between he and Beggs is his record in office.

"I think I have a record of administration, of experience and accomplishments that are there for people to see," said Miller. "I offer a proven record that is substantiated in fact and accomplishments for the citizens of Cape County."

Those accomplishments include such things as a complete computerization of his office; a preservation plan for old records; an ongoing program of encouraging people to register and vote, keeping voting records current, and training election judges to ensure a fair election process; establishment of an employee handbook and job classification system; and working with other officials to reduce insurance costs.

"We have taken a businesslike approach to county government, and as a result Cape County is in sound financial condition and one of the best in the state," said Miller.

He has served as president of the Missouri Association of Counties, president of the Missouri County Clerks Association, and as longtime chairman of the MAC insurance committee. In his role with the insurance committee, Miller said he worked to establish a statewide liability insurance pool, and serves as chairman of the workers' compensation pool for counties that have $4 million in premiums. He said that work has saved the county thousands of dollars in insurance premiums.

Beggs said she has studied programs developed in other states to improve voter registration and turnout, such as voting by mail, and will try to apply those to Cape County if they are practical and state law allows them.

Beggs works as a contractor for the Department of the Army performing career consulting work. Prior to that she worked two years as a career counselor at Southeast Missouri State University and worked as an intern with the Missouri House of Representatives.

She has also worked at Pioneer market and orchards, which is run by her family. Her parents are Sam and Margaret Beggs.

"I have the energy, willingness, experience and the dedication to do an excellent job for Cape County," said Beggs.

If elected, she said she would never vote herself a pay raise as Miller and other county officeholders did last year. "It is a person's choice to serve their community and not make a profit from it or get rich from it," said Beggs.

Miller said the 10 percent pay increase for all county officeholders, which will not take effect until the next term of office, is fair because most officeholders had not had a pay increase for eight years. He said the legislature has a process for county officials to consider pay raises, and that was followed last year during a public meeting of officeholders.

"I thought the vote was reasonable within the law," said Miller. "For a person who has not had a raise in eight years, 10 percent is not out of line."

BIOGRAPHIES:

Rodney Miller

Native of Cape Girardeau County.

Graduate of Southeast Missouri State University and master's degree in administration from University of Missouri.

Member Jackson Rotary, Jackson Chamber, Elks, Community Counseling Board, Farm Bureau, Millersville Methodist Church.

Wife, Jan. They have two children and one grandchild.

Laura Beggs

Native of Jackson.

Graduate of Jackson High School.

Bachelor of science degree in law enforcement and master's degree in public administration from Southeast Missouri State University.

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY CLERK

Candidates: Democrat Rodney Miller, 54, of Millersville, seeking fifth term. Republican Laura Beggs, 26, of Jackson, works as career consultant for military.

Duties: Oversees voter registration and elections process for county; serves as clerk for county commission to oversee business matters of county including bid process, personnel and insurance.

Term: Four years.

Salary: $36,500.