HUCKSTEP LAUDS FINANCES, BEMOANS JUSTICE SYSTEM

JACKSON -- Gene Huckstep, Cape County presiding commissioner until the end of the year, discussed the good shape of county finances and the bad state of the criminal justice system during his after-dinner talk at the monthly chamber of commerce meeting here on Monday evening.

Cape Girardeau County is stable because of its resources and assets, Huckstep told the nearly 30 chamber members. He said the county has about $6.1 million in its General Revenue Fund, another $1.7 million in the Road and Bridge Fund and approximately $3.75 million in the Capital Projects Fund.

Huckstep said it is critical that the county receive the approximately $475,000 from the Missouri Use Tax that is being held in escrow from taxes collected on catalog sales. He said the courts apparently are close to a decision on the matter.

Those funds, if finally released to the county to use, would help the Road and Bridge Fund, Huckstep said. Maintenance costs can be handled with the current finances, but the money from the use tax would allow for additional improvements on county roads.

"I'm opposed to any tax increase," Huckstep said about a potential sales tax for rural roads. He noted that urban citizens wouldn't support a sales tax for the rural areas.

But if the additional money came from the Missouri Use Tax, then there wouldn't be any resentment from county taxpayers, Huckstep said.

Unlike his rosy outlook on county finances, Huckstep was critical of the criminal justice system.

"The criminal justice system is not doing its job," Huckstep said. "Prisoners are using the system to devour the system."

He said Cape County is plagued by frivolous lawsuits filed by prisoners. "We can't afford to continue the way it is," Huckstep said. "Our jail is eating our lunch."

Every lawsuit filed by prisoners over some frivolous matter costs Cape County taxpayers from $3,000 to $10,000, because of the deductibles on insurance coverage, Huckstep said.

Poorer counties don't have as much of a problem with frivolous lawsuits, Huckstep said.

In Bollinger County, for example, prisoners wouldn't sue even if they only received a bologna sandwich to eat, he quipped. In Cape County, however, prisoners complain about the menu and file suits even though the meals are planned by a dietitian.

"I'd rather fight than eat," Huckstep said about fighting the lawsuits. "There ought to be a better way. Does it start with the Supreme Court? Maybe so."

Going to jail can reward some prisoners, Huckstep said, noting that an AIDS patient in St. Louis chose to be arrested to receive the free medical care the jail provides. Huckstep estimated it would cost St. Louis County about $500,000.

"I don't think that we can put that burden onto our society," he added.

Huckstep said the breakdown of the family system has contributed to today's problems.

"Until we get back to a Christian approach to families, these problems will continue," he said. "The solution is not midnight basketball."

Rehabilitation programs don't work either, Huckstep said.

"Fear of punishment deters criminals," he said. "When kids can make $500 on a street corner selling drugs, problems will continue."