PHYLLIS SCHWAB TO RUN FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR POST

JACKSON -- Phyllis Schwab of rural Jackson plans to run for Cape Girardeau County public administrator in the 2000 election.

"The job of public administrator really appealed to me," the 57-year-old Republican said in announcing her candidacy Monday.

The job, held by John Ferguson, a Cape Girardeau Republican, has said he won't seek re-election.

"While it is not a visible office and probably a mystery to many people, it is one of the few public offices where you directly work to assist people and families unable to help themselves," Schwab said.

"It is a wonderful responsibility that allows you to really make a difference," she said. "The public administrator must balance compassion with common-sense management decisions."

The public administrator manages the affairs of citizens who have been found to be incapacitated or disabled and don't have anyone else around to handle the duties. When someone in the county dies without any living relatives, the public administrator generally handles the estate. Or when minors need a conservator, the court can appoint the public administrator to manage their financial affairs.

"You have the power to administer individuals' assets who cannot do it themselves," said Schwab.

"It is critical to have a public administrator that has an established reputation of trustworthiness and who really cares about the people they administer," she said.

Schwab is the wife of state Rep. David Schwab. She has been active in business, farming and Republican politics.

She and her husband own Schwab's Farms. Until recently, they also operated a Christmas tree farm.

She is vice-chairperson of the Cape Girardeau County Republican Central Committee, and a member of the Pachyderm Club and the Women's Republican Club.

Schwab said she likely will resign her central committee post even though it isn't a legal requirement to devote her time to running a "grass-roots campaign."

"You need to get out there and let people talk to you," she said of campaigning for county office.

Schwab is a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, a member of the Cape Girardeau County Farm Bureau, the Cape Girardeau County Historical Society and a past board member of the Heritage Association. She is a former member of the Jackson Merchants Association, the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and the American Business Women's Association.

She and her husband have three children and five grandchildren.