By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorThe first two attempts to enter the political arena ended unsuccessfully for Gene Cornell.The third opportunity resulted in a 20-year career that comes to an end this week.Now 74, Cornell is thankful for his time spent as Warren County treasurer. The new treasurer, Jeff Hoelscher, will replace the retiring Cornell beginning Jan. 1.Cornell’s successful campaign for treasurer followed two failed attempts for county collector and assessor. His first four-year term began in 1994 and he was re-elected four successive times.“I really believe in public service,” Cornell said. “I think that is an important part of our culture that is missing right now.”Prior to serving as county treasurer, Cornell owned a furniture store on Main Street in Warrenton and then spent a couple of years as a licensed fee agent for the Missouri Department of Revenue.Cornell recently sat down with The Record to discuss his time as treasurer, a career that started with him overseeing thousands of dollars and eventually evolved to a multi-million dollar budget.Q: What will you miss about your job?“It’s been a great ride, a wonderful ride. I am looking forward to what I am going to do. That is more fun to look forward than backward. The deal with history is, the only people who are interested in the future are historians because they are trying to preserve stuff for future use. I am looking forward to doing all the things I’m going to do next. What are they? I’m not sure, but I know it’s time. I am not interested in doing the same thing every day or any longer.”Q: How has the treasurer position changed over the years?“The first year I was treasurer, when I took over, I think we had al little over $100,000 in the general revenue balance at the end of the year. That wouldn’t begin to pay the first week’s bills anymore. The decimal points moved. I think the sheriff had four cars at that time. The size of it, the number of transactions, the number of funds; it’s what happens. Things get bigger.”Q: What do you feel are your greatest accomplishments in your tenure as treasurer?I handled millions and millions of dollars and didn’t steal a damn cent (laughing). This job is about making timely deposits and making sure the money is safe and available to pay the bills.Q: Why were you content to serve as treasurer? Did you ever entertain thoughts of running for a different office?Obviously yes because I ran for those other offices. I always thought I wanted to be the clerk, but that is way too involved of a position. I like this position because it allowed me to do things I like to do. I listen to a lot of radio. I can sit back here and do my numbers and listen to music, to religious tracks or political discussions. The person also need to spend time with their self and find out who they are and this particular job allows that. To be allowed to do that and to be paid for it is a great gift.Q: What does the future hold?“I am going to do all the things I enjoy, just more so. Penny (Cornell, wife) and I will travel some. She retired in May and it’s been (hard) to come to work every day. I can work in my wood shop. I can get dirt in my fingernails and mess with a few small animals. I have a lot of faith in (Jeff Hoelscher). I think he will do well.“I am looking forward to getting up tomorrow and having enough oxygen. If a hammer fell right now, what a good ride. I am filled with gratitude with the time I have had.”Treasurer, Gene Cornell