Keeping up with the county commission

One week ago today, the Cape Girardeau County Commission held a highly productive meeting, beginning with devoting nearly an hour to residents hoping to stop a proposed quarry on County Road 318. Despite the unexpected appearance of the residents, the commissioners were able to get the agenda back on track, unanimously approving a new purchasing policy and informally agreeing to update the county's employee handbook.

But just a few hours later, the county's prosecuting attorney, Morley Swingle, asked Missouri's attorney general's office to investigate 2nd District Commissioner Jay Purcell for making audio recordings of commission meetings. Purcell then announced he was suing the commission for violating Missouri's open meetings and records act, the Sunshine Law.

Purcell's suit against the commission as a body, announced Wednesday, does not name any individual and seeks no damages. It asks that the commissioners be required to follow the Sunshine Law.

"When a lawsuit is filed, the lawyers are required by Supreme Court Rules to try it in the courtroom, and not the newspaper," Swingle wrote in an e-mail received Friday by the Southeast Missourian.

Saturday marked the end of a 30-day leave taken by County Auditor David Ludwig, who left his office after being confronted with computer-use policy violations.

Today marks the first meeting in a week for Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones, who has been dealing with critical family illnesses for two weeks.

He returns with a new perspective that has nothing to do with secret tapes, the Sunshine Law, or Pamela Anderson.

"Try watching your grandson almost die," he said on the phone Saturday. Two of his grandsons have been critically ill over the last two weeks. The boys seem much better now but are still receiving medical care, he said. Despite being busy with his family's crisis, Jones said he's heard the concerns people have over the county's legal issues, the speculation by other elected officials on the county's ability to do business and comments from the general public on the need to move Cape Girardeau County toward a charter form of government.

A charter would require the county to develop a Constitution-style document and reorganize the government to allow for a full-time elected county executive. The executive board would be seven to nine rather than three officials, who would serve on a part-time basis. The structure is similar to the cities of Jackson and Cape Girardeau, which have part-time elected governing officials and full-time administrators, Jim Roach and Doug Leslie, respectively, though they are appointed.

Jones said there have been charter discussions, but "to start with, state law says you have to have a population of 85,000 before you can consider going to a charter county. We're about 68,000. We're too small."

The U.S. Census estimates the county's current population at 71,892 as of 2006; the official headcount is set for 2010.

Jones said he's periodically spoken to groups around town about the charter form of government. "If the voters want to do it when we get to 85,000? Whatever the people want to do," he said.

At today's meeting, the commissioners will review the historic preservation grant agreement for the county courthouse and hear recommendations for bids on several projects.

Also scheduled is a 10:45 a.m. discussion on guidelines for the commission's future agendas.

Today's meeting starts at 9 a.m. in the commissioners' chambers at 1 Barton Square in Jackson. Purcell has said if he records any future meetings, he will be much more open about doing so.

Either way, Jones said, the public is welcome to be there.

Questions, suggestions or tips for Lost on Main Street? E-mail pmcnichol@semissourian.com or call 335-6611, extension 127.