Schmutzler seeks re-election as Cole County public administrator

Marilyn R. Schmutzler filed this week for re-election as Cole County public administrator. She has served in that capacity for the past 12 years, having been appointed by the late Gov. Mel Carnahan on Oct. 1, 1999, to fill an unexpired term.

Schmutzler has been re-elected by voters in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

As public administrator, Schmutzler is appointed by the Circuit Court of Cole County through a legal process to serve as guardian and/or conservator of Cole County residents suffering with mental illness, mental retardation, developmental disability, individuals with brain injury, and advanced age individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's who are unable to care for themselves or their property when there is no one else to serve, and in some cases for minors under the age of 18.

She is also appointed as personal representative of decedent's estates.

Schmutzler has 223 open cases.

She said her many years working as a legal assistant in law offices prepared her for the position of public administrator and she has deep compassion for the clients assigned to her by the court. She says she is dedicated and will continue to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to do a good job for her clients.

Schmutzler is a lifelong resident of Cole County and is a member of clubs and organizations, including Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce, East Side Business Association, Cole County Historical Society, Missouri Farm Bureau, University of Missouri Cole County Extension and NAMI of Jefferson City (National Association for Mentally Ill).

Schmutzler was named the Public Administrator of the Year at the Missouri Association of Public Administrators' Annual Conference held in Hannibal in April 2010.

Her husband of 57 years, Leonard, recently died. She has a daughter, a son, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.