RUST COMMENTARY: LIKE WATER AND ELECTRICITY, DELIVERING ACCURATE, TIMELY NEWS REQUIRES LOT OF EFFORT

I'd like to thank our news staff for the outstanding job it did on putting out the election results (still coming in at press time Tuesday night) in our Wednesday morning newspaper. It took a lot of coordination by editor JOE SULLIVAN, managing editor JONI ADAMS and the entire staff who started early (with layouts, graphs etc.) and stayed late.

Like water and electricity, what we sometimes take for granted until it's not there ... accurate and timely news requires a lot of effort.

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Cape Girardeau citizens' overwhelming support for the city water issues shows that they understand the continued growth of Cape and the need for the infrastructure to support it. The quarter-cent sales tax appeared to be a cost they are willing to have paid for the benefit of having an adequate water supply for continued growth.

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Congratulations to all of the winners in Tuesday's elections, and my thanks to those who ran but lost. You can't have a democracy without candidates ... and 50 percent or less will not be numerically successful (but will ultimately benefit from the experience.) As BOB DOLE said, it was one of his proudest honors to have been selected as the NOMINEE for president of the United States.

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Incidentally, DOLE'S latest (and historically, possibly his greatest) sacrifice for his country and party was a decision probably reached about three weeks ago.

When Dole and his managers saw how great the odds were for him to be elected president, they concentrated on helping the Republicans hold their majorities in both the House and Senate ... by campaigning in many of the districts with close races.

PRESIDENT CLINTON was making the same effort but in general found his coattails to be short.

For the next four years Clinton will have to govern much differently than he would with his own party's majority in Congress.

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GOV. MEL CARNAHAN was able to lead the Missouri Democrats to another sweep of statewide offices. Though more liberal than I am, I think Mel is honest, straight-forward and sincere on his policies.

Lt. Gov. ROGER WILSON and Secretary of State BEKKI COOK have to be thankful for the national and state ticket leaders, as they were elected by much tighter margins.

The last-minute effort by BILL KENNEY'S campaign manager to link indicted (but not convicted) former House Speaker BOB GRIFFIN to ROGER WILSON by a previous $21,000 donation backfired.

Every candidate needs to get his facts straight, or this and all media will, or should, call it to the public's attention.

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Former Cape Girardeau County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney KEN HULSHOF was persistent and successful in unseating Democrat incumbent HAROLD VOLKMER for the U.S. Congress in the 9th District. Hulshof was defeated by Volkmer two years ago ... barely won this year's Republican primary ... but will now get an opportunity to serve the people of his district, the state and country.

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The 8th District winner, JO ANN EMERSON, overcame the handicap of not being the Republican candidate of record (but certainly of choice) with a strong victory.

More important, Emerson's personal attitude, ability and campaign team's effort during this last four months after her husband's death shows an iron will under a gracious exterior. This district will continue to be well represented.

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State Sen. PETER KINDER will take his debating skills, principles and honesty back to the Missouri Senate with the knowledge, and that of his colleagues, that voters mandated him a 2-to-1 victory.

Kinder is one of the recognized partisan and bipartisan leaders of the Missouri state government.

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We lost a good man when JOE GAMBILL was not returned as county commissioner. Joe has done much for this community, its economic development and in many other ways behind the scenes.

It took a well-known, well-liked, competent opponent in MAX STOVALL who campaigned hard -- and should also do a good job in office -- to defeat Gambill.

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Note: If you're ready for a change of pace ... WENDY and I both enjoyed the movie "DEAR GOD" currently showing in Cape.

Also the play "SongPlay" at the Webster Studio Theatre in St. Louis (runs through Nov. 17) has received outstanding reviews.

~Gary Rust is the president of Rust Communications, which owns the Southeast Missourian and other newspapers.