NEW COMMISSION DISTRICT WILL FOLLOW LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS

JACKSON - New boundary lines for Cape Girardeau's two associate commissioner districts are identical to the new lines drawn this year for the county's two state legislative districts.

On Monday the Cape Girardeau County Commission unanimously approved a new map, which gives 1st District Associate Commissioner Leonard Sander only one ward in the city of Cape Girardeau instead of three.

Sander, of Jackson, has represented the city of Jackson, the outcounty, and Wards 7, 17, and 18 in Cape Girardeau. Second District Associate Commissioner E.C. Younghouse has the rest of Cape Girardeau in his present district.

But those old lines gave Sander's district a total population of 36,244, and Younghouse a population of 26,333. By shifting Wards 7 and 18 to Younghouse, the 1st District has 32,185 people and the 2nd District 31,427.

Redistricting must occur every 10 years following the census. The commission had to decide on new lines before filing for county offices opens Jan. 14.

Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle, who assisted in drawing the new lines, advised the commission that the lines needed to be as close in population as possible.

Swingle cited a 1968 U.S. Supreme Court case from Texas that ruled county commission districts must be near equal in population.

In 1981, commission districts were near equal in population so the commission voted to make no changes in boundary lines.

Having the county commission districts the same as state legislative districts in the county will also make it easier for poll workers in giving out ballots, and will limit the number of different ballots that are needed.

Until the House Redistricting Commission completed its work, Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson, had wards 9, 12, and 18 in the city of Cape Girardeau as well as Jackson and the outcounty. Now, Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, will have those wards but Ward 17, which votes at the Charles C. Clippard School, will shift to Schwab's district.

Sander said he hated to lose the two Cape Girardeau wards, but he understood the need to balance the districts according to population.

"I hate to lose those wards; I really do," said Sander, who was first elected an associate commissioner in 1976. "I hate to lose their support and I certainly appreciate the courtesies they showed me and respect for the job. I'd like to keep it, but if we want to keep the districts even there is not much else we can do."

Sander is expected to seek re-election to a ninth two-year term next year. Younghouse, who is serving his third term, is also expected to seek re-election next year.

Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep, who is elected countywide, made the motion Monday to approve the new district boundary lines.