Transit authority ponders new leader

Tom Mogelnicki has been interim director of the Cape County Transit Authority since April.

Now, he wants the job permanently.

Mogelnicki is one of four candidates interviewed this week for the job.

Doug Richards, chairman of the transit authority's board, said a committee finished the last two interviews Friday. He hopes to get a full board meeting scheduled for Wednesday or Thursday to review resumes and committee recommendations.

The four interviewees "all have excellent qualifications," Richards said.

Donna Oldham, a board member who is also on the interviewing committee, said seven applications were submitted.

David Grimes, 60, recently returned to Cape Girardeau and applied for the job. His career includes stints teaching as well as owning a small engine repair business. From 1986 to 1998, he was executive director of the Southern Colorado Economic Development District/SCEDD Development Co. in Pueblo, Colo.; before that he was a planner with Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission. He applied after seeing a classified ad for the transit authority director position in November.

Grimes said he understands "local government turf issues" and would make communicating with communities in Cape Girardeau County a priority. He said he was impressed that the transit authority provides shuttle service to get county residents to jobs in Perry County.

Mogelnicki, who submitted his resume and was the third candidate interviewed, said, "I have the same chance as anybody else."

He said highlights of his tenure include increased ridership and raising more money for the transit authority.

Between July and November, 10,063 people used the transit authority's fixed bus routes; 23,418 people in Cape Girardeau used the taxi service while 5,714 in Jackson did; and 121 in the county took transit authority cab rides.

On Monday, Mogelnicki asked the Jackson Board of Aldermen for $33,000; last year, the city gave $6,000. The board will make its decision Jan. 22.

Richards said transit officials will likely make a decision on the candidates before the end of the month.

"We got some good ideas. People had done their homework," Richards said. "Everybody brings something different to the table."

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127