POLITICS: CAPE COUNTY TREASURER RUNS UNOPPOSED

JACKSON, Mo. -- Cape Girardeau County Treasurer Bill Reynolds has seen two primary changes in the way the treasurer's office is run during his 20 years in office -- the dawn of computerized accounting and the phase out of the locally owned bank.

"Banking has changed tremendously," Reynolds said. "It used to be that the local banks would fight for our account."

Reynolds, 71, is running unopposed for his fifth consecutive term as treasurer of Cape Girardeau County.

A life-time Cape Girardeau resident, Reynolds said he figures he must be doing something right because he has been unopposed in the last two elections.

"I think we're one of the best counties in the state," Reynolds said of the county's management.

Reynolds, who formerly worked as an announcer on KFVS12 and before that worked at a clothing store in downtown Cape Girardeau, said his fiscal philosophy is simple.

"We stress security more than interest," he said.

His office, which is operated by Reynolds and one other employee, spends a lot of time keeping up with changes in governmental requirements.

"There are always changes being made," he said. "We get more grants from the state and federal government, which requires more paperwork, and there are always adjustments to be made."

Although Reynolds is one of the county's oldest employees and has been treasurer for 20 years, he said he does not see retirement in his immediate future.

"I'm still the new guy on the block," he said with a grin.

William Reynolds

Age: 71

Hometown: Cape Girardeau

Political affiliation: Democrat

Family: Wife Venieda, two children and two grandchildren

Profession: Cape Girardeau County treasurer. Worked for 25 years as an announcer and salesman at KFVS12. Before that, he worked at Oglander's Clipping Store in Cape Girardeau.

Affiliations: Member of the American Legion and the Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. Former member of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and the Jaycees, Missouri County Treasurers' Association.

Political history: Has been the Cape Girardeau County treasurer since 1980.