MILLER TO SEEK RE-ELECTION AS COUNTY CLERK

JACKSON -- When Rodney Miller first ran for Cape Girardeau County Clerk in 1978, he promised that if elected he would administer the office "in a fair and efficient manner, without regard to politics or prejudice toward anyone."

After serving as county clerk the last 15 years, Miller said he believes he has fulfilled that promise during his tenure. On Tuesday, he will file for a fifth term.

"It is great to be an officeholder in this county and to have a chance to be responsive to all citizens," said Miller, a Democrat. "We have a good county government, where everyone works together with the best interests of the taxpayers in mind. I have worked with all officeholders and all people in the county to carry out the responsibilities of my office. I hope that I have the opportunity to continue doing that for another four years."

Because of that spirit of cooperation and a business-like approach to county government, Miller said Cape Girardeau County is in sound financial condition. "It is good to be part of a county that is in a sound, stable financial condition, where everyone is willing to work together rather than for their own personal bias," said Miller. "I am committed to that."

Miller said the county clerk's office has a wide variety of responsibilities that range from voter registration and overseeing the election process in Cape Girardeau County, to handling administrative duties for the county, maintaining records of the county commission, and helping the commission with special projects and bidding.

"Besides the election process, the position of county clerk is much like that of being the business manager for the county government," said Miller. "We have a lot of things to take care of and much of what we do in this office is subject to change due to new policies and regulations, and changes in state law.

"I'm running on my record of sensible accomplishments, serving the people of this county, and doing what I said I would do. As an employee of the citizens of Cape Girardeau County, I feel like I have given them their money's worth."

Despite increased responsibilities, Miller points out that his staff has remained at five employees.

Miller said he has been especially pleased with efforts by his office to promote voter registration and participation. Soon after he was elected, the clerk implemented a punch card voting system.

"Currently we have 36,519 registered voters, which is the most we have ever had in this county," said Miller. In November 1992, Cape County had its largest turnout ever for a general election with 82 percent of voters going to the polls.

As part of the Voter Registration Outreach program, Miller said he and his staff have organized permanent registration sites at libraries and schools and have held dozens of special registrations at factories, shopping malls, fairs, retail stores, schools and other public places and events. Miller said his office has also worked with groups like the League of Women Voters, student organizations and Vision 2000 to promote voting.

Miller said he is currently involved with trying to implement the "Motor Voter Bill," which was passed by Congress and will expand registration sites to include license fee offices and offices where public assistance can be applied for. He is also implementing a new state law allowing registration by mail.

"There are continuous changes in the election laws we have to implement," said Miller. "My staff and I work very hard to make these changes promptly and to see that our election judges are properly trained to deal with any changes that affect their work."

As clerk, Miller also oversees the bid process and personnel matters. He has been involved in several special projects, such as development of an employee classification plan, development of an employee handbook, promoting health and safety programs and a records preservation program.

Miller has been active in the Missouri Association of Counties since 1979 and has held several offices, ranging from district director to state president in 1989. He continues as chairman of the MAC Insurance Committee, which helped establish a statewide liability insurance pool and now oversees a workers' comp self insurance pool that involves 80 counties with $4 million in premiums.

"I am very proud to be a leader in this example of counties working together to reduce expenditures and taking a sensible approach to problems like rising insurance costs," said Miller.

In 1991, Miller served as president of the Missouri County Clerks Association. He is a member of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Jackson Rotary Club, Jackson Elks Lodge, Southeast Missouri State Booster Club, the SEMO Copper Dome Society, Farm Bureau, and the Community Counseling Center board. He is also a registered Missouri football official.

A native of Cape Girardeau County, the 53-year old Miller and his wife Jan live on the Truman Miller Farm southwest of Millersville. They have two sons, Blaine and Branden, and one grandson. His wife is employed by Dr. Dwight Johnson. They are members of the Millersville Methodist Church.

Miller is a graduate of Jackson High School, a 1962 graduate of Southeast Missouri State and in 1966 received his master's degree from the University of Missouri.

Miller said he is committed to devoting another four years of service to the people of the county. "I sincerely believe that if you are going to be in public service, and are elected to do a job, then you should do it to the best of your ability and serve all the people in a fair, impartial and responsible manner," said Miller.

"I am concerned about the people who elect me, because they are the people I work for. This is not a controversial office I hold, but rather a real service office. It is an office to serve all the citizens of Cape Girardeau County, which is what my staff and I are committed to."