Cape Girardeau County government should be smaller

To the editor:I believe Commissioner Koeper's plan to shift existing duties and responsibilities with a proposed salary increase to the Public Works director takes county government in the wrong direction.

This country is in the middle of a recession, and families and businesses alike have made hard decisions and tightened their belts. I am of the opinion that government should be no different.

I believe that government jobs should exist to serve the citizens' needs that cannot be met by the private sector, not to reward those who are loyal and preserve the interest of those in power.

This fall during the budget process I will be advocating that the county should reduce expenses by eliminating and/or consolidating several county positions. I believe this can be done with no negative effects on services and that the eliminated salaries and benefits will result in substantial savings in taxpayer money.

Any analysis involving potential work-force reductions cannot be taken lightly, and for that reason I would propose that the county commission implement a freeze on any nonessential hiring, changes in employee duties and responsibilities and proposed salary increases till we have finished our year-end budget process.

I have no doubts that my advocating for a smaller, more cost-effective county government will put me in further disfavor with those I serve with. Some will be threatened because I will be advocating to eliminate the proverbial goose that laid the golden egg. There will be those within or associated with county government who will attempt to discredit Jay Purcell as the messenger instead of debating whether Cape Girardeau County is providing its services in the most cost-effective way possible.

I believe that during this analysis we should be investigating any and all ways county government can be more efficient, up to and including discussions of whether the county would be better served going to a charter form of government.

I recognize that taking a hard, objective look at oneself and the changes that might occur from it will be scary. It was Rosalynn Carter who said, "You have to have confidence in your ability and then be tough enough to follow through." I believe in the county commission's ability, and I believe my fellow commissioners are tough enough to follow through. It is my hope that they will join me in this effort to make a smaller, more responsive county government that will save taxpayer money even if it costs us our jobs.

Jay Purcell,

2nd District Commissioner, Cape Girardeau County Commission