ROBERT TO SEEK RE-ELECTION AS COUNTY RECORDER

Janet Fenimore Robert has announced plans to seek a fifth term as Cape Girardeau County recorder of deeds. In her announcement, Robert stressed the need for experience and continuity in the recorder's office.

"With at least two new county commissioners coming on board next year, it is very important to have an experienced leader in the recorder of deeds' office," said Robert. "In my 17 years in office, I have devoted fulltime to this position, with no other outside business interests. I pledge to continue that commitment.

"Our county officeholders have always maintained a very pleasant and cooperative working relationship, without regard to politics or party affiliation. I hope to see this relationship continue."

Robert pointed out that all county officials have worked to be fiscally responsible to ensure that Cape Girardeau County remains in sound condition.

"As recorder, I have always kept well within my budget and have given the taxpayers of our county pleasant and efficient service. In the past few years our work load has doubled but we have had no increase in personnel. I have a very hard-working and dedicated staff working in the office."

Robert is the first candidate to announce for recorder of deeds. Filing for offices on the 1994 ballot begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

During her tenure in office, Robert stressed that she has made many changes to improve efficiency in the office that have reduced costs and improved the services provides to citizens who use the office.

"With our micro graphic system we reduced retrieval time for documents and eliminated space requirements for documents by 95 percent," said Robert. "We also took steps to provide for better security and file integrity."

During the past year, Robert explained that she has done extensive research into new information technology, called optical imaging. This digital technology will benefit all county offices by assisting them in better management of county records, providing less cost for storage, while yielding faster and more accurate information.

Said Robert: "This new system will revolutionize customer service for all county offices as the information can be accessed electronically via modem or fax. I look forward to beginning the installation of the first phase of this process in late spring and having all offices up and running by the end of the year. The cooperation on this project by the other officeholders and Data Processing Director Ron Andrews, has been excellent."

Among Robert's community activities has been participaton in the Optimist Club. She is active in the Excelsior Optimist Club of Cape Girardeau, having served as president, and is currently as lieutenant governor for the East Missouri District of Optimist International.

Robert is secretary of the Recorders Association of Missouri; a member of the Copper Dome Society; the SEMO District Fair Association; a member of the booster clubs of Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Central, and Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff; and she has been a volunteer worker with the United Way, American Cancer Society and Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Robert has been active in Democratic politics, working on many national and state campaigns. She is a member of the Cape County Democratic Womens Club and serves as Democratic committee woman for Ward 15.

She is married to Norman A. Robert Jr., and they live at 1513 East Riverside in Cape. They are the parents of three children and are members of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

Robert is a lifelong resident of Cape Girardeau, graduating from Cape Central High in 1963. She attended Southeast Missouri State, where she majored in education.