SMALL-TOWN LEADERS ENJOY WORKING FOR COMMUNITIES

"The buck stops here."

Louie Hirschowitz is a firm believer in Harry S. Truman's immortal words. In fact, that quote is attached to the dashboard of the van he drives every morning to Oran City Hall -- every morning except weekends and Jewish holidays.

Hirschowitz, entering his third year as mayor of the Scott County community, has created his own little niche as a small-town leader. He is believed to be the only town leader of Jewish descent in Southeast Missouri.

Hirschowitz said his father and mother, both Jewish immigrants, settled in Oran because other Jewish people were living in the town in the early part of this century.

Hirschowitz said he has always wanted to be involved in government; doing something for the good of the people he represented was all he has ever wanted.

Other town leaders in the region also share Hirschowitz's desire to do something good for the people. Instead of having the title of mayor, other small communities elect members to boards of trustees. The board elects the head of the board and the town. The leadership position typically is called chairman of the board of trustees.

Georgia Carmen was elected to the Kelso Board of Trustees in 1988. She assumed the position of chairperson in 1992. She was re-elected to the post in April.

Carmen also has situated herself for optimum placement in the Kelso history book. Since her town is on the verge of building a new sewer system, Carmen has been warned of impending growth of the Scott County community of 550 people.

"I heard people say that if Kelso had a sewer system they would move here," she said.

Another small community in Southeast Missouri may soon experience physical growth. The 90 citizens of Allenville, under the direction of Chairman Guy Borneman, are hoping for a new community building. A building-fund thermometer has been erected by the Women's Auxiliary in the center of town.

Should the building be erected, Borneman also will have created a legacy for himself in his town. Borneman is entering his third year as chairman; he was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1983 after a half-hearted write-in campaign.

All three of the small-town leaders have unselfishly answered their communities' calls for service.

"I started out as a county presiding judge," said Hirschowitz. "Of course, now they're called commissioners. I like the term judge better, but it fell by the wayside."

Hirschowitz said he "cuts himself out" like Truman, "but I never made a comeback like he did."

He said Truman also lost an election for presiding judge, but then went on to state and national political fame. Following Hirschowitz's defeat after 16 years of service, he and his wife, Audrey, loaded up his truck and drove to Alaska. "But I always come back to Oran," he said.

In 1992, Hirschowitz was elected mayor of Oran, a position his brother Abraham also had held. A picture of Abraham and his proudest accomplishment as mayor -- completion of the city water well -- hangs above Hirschowitz's desk in his city-hall office.

The position is for two years, and Hirschowitz was re-elected to the post in April.

"Day to day as mayor," he said, "I get up, go to the post office, get the mail, go to the office, sort out the propaganda, and read the rest."

Hirschowitz said the majority of the time his duties consist of hearing complaints and suggestions.

Carmen said she doesn't hear many complaints from Kelso citizens. "There are a lot of open minds in Kelso," she said.

She said her interest in city government isn't shared by her husband, Dave, or her two teenage children. Her husband is the source of her support and a shoulder to cry on, she said.

Carmen said her job as chairman is part time, but it could easily lead to full-time work.

When Borneman is asked what being chairman of the board means to him, his reply is, "I have the file cabinet."

Borneman said when someone is elected chairman, he or she gains possession of the file cabinet with the town's records. An incentive to continue as chairman is not having to move the file cabinet from the former chairman's house to your house.

Carmen said a similar passing of the cabinet exists in Kelso; neither town has a community building where records are stored.

All three leaders have their pet projects.

Hirschowitz has devoted the majority of his time as mayor encouraging people to donate to Friend Cemetery, which is rich in Oran history. At 150 years old, the private cemetery across the highway from town is well maintained.

"It's people's final resting place," he said. "I don't know why more people don't contribute to the fund for the upkeep."

Hirschowitz, who plans to be buried in another cemetery for religious reasons, said some people don't realize the importance of the burial plots and their maintenance. He said the cemetery gets no tax money and relies on private donations.

Carmen has her pet project too -- sewers. Although sewers aren't as glamorous as other municipal projects, construction of a sewer system could mean substantial growth in the community.

"We developed new zoning just in case," she said.

Carmen said the sewer project has been discussed for years and has dominated much of her time as chairman. She said residents are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to a new sewer system.

Instead of sewers, Allenville wants a building for the community.

"A place to store records and conduct meetings is what we need," said Borneman. "Trustees have to run home every time we're in a meeting, and they need a document."

Borneman said Allenville desperately needs a centrally located facility for document storage. The Women's Auxiliary has already collected more than $2,000 toward construction of a building, providing a little light at the end of Allenville's tunnel.

All three town leaders plan to continue to answer their communities' calls for service until they feel they should pass the gavel - or, in some cases, the filing cabinet.