SANDER TO WORK UNTIL TERM IS UP

JACKSON - After losing a close race for re-election in the Republican primary two weeks ago, longtime Cape County Associate Commissioner Leonard Sander says he plans to focus his efforts the next four months on trying to finish projects he has started.

"I'm not going to just quit," said Sander. "There are a lot of things I want to get finished, but there will be a number of things we won't get started on."

Sander said he plans to get as many pending projects finished as possible so nothing will be lingering when his successor takes over on Jan. 1.

Sander, who won his first two-year term as associate commissioner in 1976 following the retirement of Edwin Sander (no relation), lost the Republican primary on Aug. 4 to Larry Bock by 267 votes. Bock will face Democrat George Cox for the 1st District position in the general election.

During the next four months, Sander said he will work toward completion of the bridge at Whitewater, the largest bridge the county has ever replaced; continue efforts with the cities of Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City to develop a regional economic development office; and trying to finalize a zoning ordinance that could take effect Jan. 1 if voters agree to continue planning and zoning in the county.

Sander said he is disappointed about losing his re-election bid, but rather than harbor bitterness he prefers to work toward finishing a career in county office he is proud of.

"I have my thoughts about the whys and some things about the campaign, but that's all over with and I don't want to dwell on it," said Sander.

"I am very, very proud of the fact that we have had the years that we've had. The people of Cape Girardeau County kept me in office to try and get Cape County in the great condition it is in. I certainly hope it stays that way. I am very proud of the record I have had and my cooperation with the other commissioners. Without the full cooperation of all of us, none of us could have gotten anything done."

Sander said many people have indicated they are sorry that he will be leaving the county commission. He said, "the record stands for itself."

One factor in his loss Sander believes is that many voters just want change. Some people in the county who were angry over planning and zoning tended to blame things on him since he served on the planning commission, Sander said he believes.

This isn't the first time a mood for change caught up with Sander. In 1974, when Sander was seeking re-election to a second four-year term as circuit clerk, he lost a close race to Democrat Charles P. Hutson. In the height of the Watergate era, many Republican officeholders went down in 1974.

Two years later, Sander bounced back to win his commission seat. Both his father and grandfather served on the county court in Cape County, which is now known as the county commission.

"I couldn't say there was any one big factor in my defeat this year. It is just a matter of time and a few of these things that came along," said Sander.

Throughout the campaign, Sander said he continually had to deal with rumors in Jackson that he did not intend to serve out his term, if re-elected, and instead would turn the office over to his son Paul.

Sander said that was untrue. Had he resigned, he would not have had any say in the replacement since the governor fills vacancies in county offices.

"It doesn't work like that, but people believe that kind of stuff sometimes," said Sander.

Once his term ends, Sander said he is not sure what the future holds for him. However, between now and the end of the year, Sander plans to keep working full time in his commissioner's job as he has always done.

"I'm not going to spend any time throwing blocks in the way of my successor," said Sander. "I will be shoring up the things I have done and intend to work until the last day. I think they close the place down at noon on the 31st, (December), and I'll probably be here then."