INSPECTION SERVICES DIRECTOR LEAVING JOB

Richard "Rick" Murray, director of the Division of Inspection Services for the city since 1993, has accepted a similar position at Fulton.

Murray will become planning and protective services director at Fulton Dec. 1.

"I'll have more responsibility in the new position," said Murray, who has worked in inspection services here since August 1991. "That's one of the things that attracted me to the job."

Murray's responsibilities at Fulton will include administration of all code-enforcement activities: building inspections, planning services, animal control, nuisance abatement, health inspections and block-grant programs.

"It's with mixed emotions that I will be leaving Cape Girardeau, which has been home for the past seven years," said Murray. "But the expanded range of duties and the possibility of being in the center of vital community development is an aspect of public service that I could not turn down."

Walter Denton, assistant to Cape Girardeau City Manager Michael G. Miller, will fill Murray's position on an interim basis.

Murray has been with the inspection services division since 1991. He moved here from Ames, Iowa, where he served in a similar position for more than 18 years.

He was named inspection services director in 1993, when the division became a separate division of city government. Prior to that Murray served as building inspection supervisor.

"Over the years here I've been impressed with the support the city administration as well as the current mayor and City Council have given to the Inspection Services Division," said Murray. "The people here can be assured that their public safety and welfare are being watched for by these entities."

Said Miller: "Murray strove to make the Inspection Services Division user friendly to both the public and the business community. We will continue to make improvement in this area."

Miller said a search for a new director will be initiated later.

"Anytime a department head leaves we like to take a look at the department," said Miller. "Then we'll look for a director."