TIME TO RESOLVE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR ISSUES

Morley Swingle, Cape Girardeau County's prosecuting attorney, and former public administrator John Ferguson are having a war of words over Ferguson's actions since leaving office.

At issue is Ferguson's timeliness in turning over cases to his successor.

The county's public administrator is assigned by the circuit court to handle the affairs of disabled or deceased residents who don't have anyone else to turn to.

Ferguson's tenure ended when Phyllis Schwab was elected to take over as public administrator Jan. 1. Now Swingle believes Ferguson isn't properly turning over his cases, an action that ordinarily should be taken on the anniversary dates of those cases.

Money is at stake. The county is paying Schwab a $42,500 annual salary while Ferguson collects fees on his remaining cases. Those fees would help offset Schwab's salary.

But Ferguson insists he's following the letter of the law and looking out for his clients' best interests.

Before Swingle sent Ferguson a harsh letter alleging "morally and legally repugnant behavior" and threatening legal action, this matter should have been hashed out among the county commissioners, Schwab and Ferguson.

There is still time to settle this matter. But it will require county commissioners, the prosecutor and Ferguson to sit down and hash it out.