911 SURCHARGE, CITY LEAF PICK-UP AND PROFITEERS COME UP FOR REVIEW

Cape Girardeau County officials have come through for taxpayers once again. Upon recommendation of the county 911 committee, the County Commission has lowered the surcharge from 15 to 8 percent on basic telephone bills. This fee was approved by voters to cover the cost of 911 emergency telephone service.

It's refreshing to see government making good on a promise -- especially when it comes to money.

The implementation of this county-wide 911 system has been a professional, smooth process -- and this surcharge reduction is no exception. The committee and commission have done their homework well.

Voters approved the surcharge in November of 1991 to implement the countywide 911 system. The enhanced 911 improved the system in place in the city of Cape Girardeau, and introduced the service to the rest of the county. The initial surcharge generated $640,000 the last two years, and the money was used for equipment purchase and startup. One full-time person has also been hired who is responsible for keeping addresses and other parts of the system current. Total implementation of the system, which went on line early last month, cost just over $1 million.

County residents have welcomed the addition of Enhanced 911, and taxpayers appreciate the fact the committee and commissioners kept their word on the surcharge. It's an example other bureaucrats should heed.

The Cape Girardeau city leaf collection program this year has left much to be desired. As we approach mid-December, many city streets are still lined with leaves.

The city this year decided that leaf collections would only be made once in each of the six city zones. In the past, two pickups had been made in each zone. We have to wonder if the dollars saved by the single pickups were worth the complaints. The change was made due to purchase of new equipment that was supposed to improve the efficiency and production of the operation. Apparently, that didn't happen.

Many residents charged that the pickup began too early -- when many of the leaves where still on the trees. In reality, the program actually began a couple of weeks later than last year. But Mother Nature didn't lend its cooperation. The leaves did tend to fall later, and when they did -- the rains followed. Inclement weather slowed pickup and residents raking leaves to the curb. Many of the leaves raked early were also washed away in recent heavy rains -- clogging up city storm sewers.

We realize the city added a public drop-off site this year, but that's not very practical for most people. In response to complaints, the city has agreed to return to the first two or three zones where leaves remain -- after they complete the first six zones on Dec. 17. That should help to alleviate problems this year.

But the city shouldn't stop there. They would do well to reevaluate this process next year.

A review of government emergency contracts revealed that agencies sometimes paid far more than prevailing rates for flood relief supplies and services.

The story -- prompted by an Associated Press survey -- certainly disappoints us. So many people opened their hearts and pocketbooks during this recent emergency, that it's disheartening to learn others simply took advantage of the situation to make a buck.

But we're not ready to come down hard on the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their spending mistakes. These people were reacting to an emergency -- and they needed supplies and services quickly. There would have been a much greater cry had the agency gone through lengthy bidding procedures to gain the best price. People were without food, water and shelter. In this case, quick action was better than long study.

Now that the crisis has ended, its proper we study the situation objectively, and make a note of those companies and people who profited from others' anguish. In any future emergency, these profiteering businesses should certainly go to the bottom of the list.