SCOTT CITY WILL CONSIDER ITS OWN CABLE TV SYSTEM

SCOTT CITY -- The Scott City Council has asked a consultant from an independent cable television company to evaluate the city's potential for running its own cable service.

The city will pay the travel and lodging expenses of a consultant from Paragould, Ark., to come and do a preliminary study of the city. The city of Paragould started its own cable company a few years ago to compete with the franchise cable already available in the area.

This move comes on the heels of a frustrating meeting between Scott City's cable television committee and a Falcon Cable Television representative.

In addition to calling the consultant, the council Monday advised City Attorney Francis J. Siebert to draw up a contract to extend its lease with Falcon for one more year, with several special circumstances.

"Something has to be done," said Ladonna Phelps, Ward 1 councilwoman and secretary of the cable television committee. "We've been giving all to Falcon and getting nothing in return for too long."

Scott City residents with unanswered complaints about their cable service are advised to fill out a complaint form available at City Hall. The cable television committee will make every effort to see that Falcon responds promptly, officials said.

In other business, Scott City Mayor Larry Forhan announced that Monday was the deadline for all residents to have 1993 city stickers posted on their windshields.

"Over the next two weeks, the police will set up temporary roadblocks to check cars for the stickers," Forhan said. "I strongly suggest that if you do not have one by now, that you get one and save yourself the embarrassment of being caught without one."

Motorists caught without a city sticker properly displayed on their windshield must pay a $28 fine.

In another matter, the city voted to support the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruiting Association.

The Scott City Chamber of Commerce will absorb $4,500 of the $5,000 per year cost to be part of the association; the city will absorb the rest of the cost.

Finally, the council further discussed the possibility of hiring a city administrator to oversee the daily business of the city.

Scott City is in need of a full-time professional to manage city affairs and to seek out federal block grants for city improvements, officials said.

"Folks, I just can't do that (manage all of the city's business)," Forhan said. "I have a job and a family I have to tend to."

The council will sit down at the work session immediately before the April 5 meeting and discuss the responsibilities and job requirements of a city administrator.

"We have to have some sort of job description before we can advertise for the position," said Ward 1 Councilwoman Brenda Moyers. "We can't get ahead of ourselves here."

Council members said they realize that the person hired will most likely be a recent college graduate looking for a place to start.

After a proper job description is hammered out, it's expected to take three or four months to fill the position.