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Why I'll vote for Rock FinchMonday, October 20, 2008
If Jay Purcell is re-elected as county commissioner, I look forward to his following through on his campaign theme of fair, open and transparent government. As he stated in the candidate forum with Rock Finch on Thursday night, "The basis of everything good or bad in government" is transparency and openness. It is a worthy theme, and I wish Jay well if re-elected. But the truth is that Purcell doesn’t recognize that the personal integrity of elected officials is also central to good government. Secretly taping private conversations is simply wrong. Secretly taping, then sharing selected portions of tapes to influence others, crosses the line into manipulation and corruption. In addition, he taped a closed governmental meeting, which is illegal in Missouri. Suing the county commission in hopes of finding a legal loophole out of the corner he painted himself into compounded the error and has cost county taxpayers unnecessarily. But Purcell’s flaws are bigger than the secret tapes. His flaws originate with a paranoia that finds fault with the motives of most who disagree with him, and then extends into shadowy attempts to drag down others while propping himself up. Until he confronts and admits his own mistakes — and stares down this inner demon of self-fulfilling paranoia — he will always be limited as a leader. At last week’s forum, Purcell highlighted a bit of this paranoia by suggesting that the public would know who doesn’t have their interests in mind by looking at "the people supporting my opponent." That’s a broad and ridiculous attack, and it underlines the deficiency of Purcell’s abilities. Thankfully, Cape Girardeau County voters have a choice for District 2 commissioner. And at the forum Rock Finch proved himself an excellent candidate. I don’t know Rock well. He has always been likable. But what shown through Thursday night is how perfectly positioned he is for what the county needs. Underlining the importance of communication, collaboration and cooperation in leadership, Finch also raised the banner of transparent government. But he did so without baggage. More importantly, Finch pointed to how important cooperative spirit is to the types of regional economic development projects that Purcell cited as being goals for him the past two years — without success. Finch further impressed with his military and business background, including a six-year stint working with an asphalt company. It was clear that he knew what he was talking about when discussing county road paving. Questions at the forum covered a broad range of topics. Both candidates supported broadcasting county commission meetings — and establishing new ways to make county government more accessible. They agreed that there were ways to extend taxpayer money to pave roads through financial mechanisms. Finch was clear in his opposition to gambling, Purcell said he didn’t know if the county commission had any say in the matter, but that he would support it as a representative of the city that had previously approved it. In talking about experience, Purcell highlighted his 11 years in two elected offices. Finch praised Purcell’s sacrifices to work in city and county government, and admitted he wasn’t a politician — but someone who was prepared and ready to serve through his experiences in business, the community and the military. Finch constantly emphasized the theme of Cape Girardeau County needing to be a gem, a spotlight for good government, and a leader in regional economic development and public-government collaboration. Purcell stressed that controversy is sometimes necessary to move the world forward — and he held up his tactics to date as being effective. Both men are articulate. It’s time to end the self-made controversy, though. Voting for Finch not only represents a vote for transparency and fairness without all the baggage, but it represents a vote for the person better qualified to serve the citizens of Cape Girardeau County. Jon K. Rust is publisher of the Southeast Missourian and co-president of Rust Communications. E-mail: jrust@semissourian.com. Comments  The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, use the exclamation point icon beside the comment to send a report to the webmaster.
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Jon K. Rust is publisher of the Southeast Missourian and co-president of Rust Communications. He serves on the board of directors for the Associated Press. A native of Cape Girardeau, he has lived and worked in New York City, Boston, San Francisco and Moscow, Russia. He and his wife have one daughter, who will be three this summer.
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Well, it is nice to see stooges posting ignorant rants again. Jay is not going to jail, he is going to the courthouse to represent us. You good ole boys sure must be sweating it. Like I said, earlier, you should have just left it alone. Now, you have created a stink, and the stink is sticking to you all.
We just don't want a local oligarchy controlling our local County and City governments. I think that most folks in Cape Girardeau feel the same way.
Your ranting is far too late in the election to sway the voters... Cape voters know Jay Purcell, and are voting for him. It may help a little that he has always ran as a Republican, and he was supported by these high dollar oligarchy Republicans, including the Mayor, and Kathy Swan, until he exposed the rats nest that has been woven in County Government by Gerald Jones, and Bock, the alleged lackies of the good ole boys. Rock Finch will only be the lackey, the stooge for the good ole boys, and that is why you and others in your little group are trying to attack him in any dirty manner that you can.
Visit Jay Purcell's website, listen to the tapes yourself, then you decide who is best to stand up against those who think that they should continue to run the county government from the shadows, and in secrecy, or, if we need the courage of Jay Purcell to get a fresh air government, an open government that we can once again trust to handle our affairs in our best interest.
www.jaypurcell.com listen to SHUT UP and NO ARTICLE RAN.. then make your decision. Don't let the stooges of the good ole boys, the oligarchy, attack Jay and get away with it.
Jay will lose, jay will go to jail.
Cape Girardeau and Cape County is going to hell and the citizens are letting it happen. Vote people!
Oh...and NOBAMA, unless you love socialism.
We Need Jay Purcell, Listen to the tapes, then you decide.
www.jaypurcell.com Listen to SHUT UP. Hear how Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones talks to Commissioner Purcell, tells him to shut up, don't rock the boat, and that he is going to ruin it for all of them.
THEN... listen to SHUT UP at about 2 minutes and 15 seconds into the tape and hear Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones, the big cheese in the county, say, that he, Gerald Jones needs to know what Jay Purcell is going to do, because he, Gerald Jones, the PRESIDING COMMISSONER has to go back and report to_______. Jones knows that he said too much, because we all ask at that point, as did Commissioiner Jay Purcell, just who, Presiding Commissioner Jones was going to report to.
Listen to NO ARTICLE RAN.
Make up your own mind.
Today, a nurse told me that they had heard the tapes, and would vote for Jay Purcell. Was going to see if lived in Jay's district.
Those who listen to the tapes, catch on mighty quick as to what is going on.
Everything that I have said, is the truth. Thanks for listening to the tapes John.
SHUT UP
NO ARTICLE RAN
www.jaypurcell.com
msv said...
"Purcell- It's been made known that you are Goodbody."
Come now, who "made known" that I am Jay Purcell? I would to like to meet those who think so highly of me, to think that I am the courageous Jay Purcell. I look nothing like Jay Purcell, as BABE and Me'Lange can attest to. I am sure that his wife would agree, that is is far more handsome than I am. Years ago, women thought that I was cute, but that was way back when the Charleston was the in thing.
You folks who attempt to discredit the character of Jay Purcell will resort to anything, including trying to frame him for being me. I take your likening me to Jay Purcell as a great compliment.
Your jabs against Jay, your raising money from all the good ole boys in town, nothing is going to stop the people of Cape Girardeau County from returning 2nd District Commissioner Jay Purcell to county government to continue his great task of cleaning it up, and restoring to us, a government that represents us, the people, instead of special interests, and high dollar folks who want things to always go their way, not ours.
"*Oh no the 'good 'ol boy' network is spending all my tax dollars on cigars and whiskey.
*I better vote for Purcell because his magic tape recorder of justice smites evil wherever it goes.
*Its a conspiracy, pass the tinfoil..they can still hear my thoughts
Seriously some of you need jobs..and medication.
-- Posted by J_bob on Wed, Oct 22, 2008, 9:47 am CDT"
Is this the same "J_Bob" that tried to become part of the Good Ole Boy network but failed miserbly?...lol
Goodbody does sound very paranoid and may need to get a life, but, out of curiousity I did listen to the tapes.
I was shocked at how Jones talks down to Purcell.
It is obvious he is a do nothing good ole boy.
This needs to stop! If crazy can shake them up, I vote for Purcell.
Talking points for the last six months or so:
*Oh no the 'good 'ol boy' network is spending all my tax dollars on cigars and whiskey.
*I better vote for Purcell because his magic tape recorder of justice smites evil wherever it goes.
*Its a conspiracy, pass the tinfoil..they can still hear my thoughts
Seriously some of you need jobs..and medication.
Wellll, now we all know Jon Rust is an idiot!
msv
I will comment on any post I wish, thank you. This is a public board.
And may I add, Mr Goodbody is NOT Mr Purcell. And once again, I will say that I think Mr Rust labeled the wrong man paranoid.
msv,
fyi...Purcell is NOT Goodbody!
Purcell- It's been made known that you are Goodbody. Time to use your other names.
Babe- I have made no comment against you, maybe you should do the same.
msv.. I had written a explanitory for those who were not reading challenged, such as yourself, however, when I attempted to post it, it would not do so.
Just let me say, that I am honored that you have mistaken me to be Jay Purcell. I am not, nor, have I ever been Jay Purcell, however, I wish that I were.
I hope that there is a little of Jay Purcell in all of us, for I see that being a little like Jay Purcell is the only way that we will get our government back in the hands of the people.
My respect goes to Jay Purcell. He was courageous to go against the powerful good ole boys network, and to expose the intrigue that is allegedly going on in our county government. If it weren't for these recordings, if someone told us that 'Gerald Jones, our presiding county Commissioner reports to someone.." we would think that a conspiracy theroy. However, thanks to those recordings, you can go to www.jaypurcell.com and listen to the audio clip, SHUT UP, and at about 2 minutes and 15 seconds into the tape, long after Jones tells Commissioner Purcell, in so many words to shut up, that he is rocking the boat, that they all have a good thing going, you will hear at 2 minutes and 15 seconds in to the clip, Gerald Jones say that he needs to know what Commissioner Purcell is going to do, because, he, Gerald Jones has to "go back and report to_____???" Okay, when we hear that we all ask... Just to whom does Gerald Jones, the Presiding Commissioner of Cape Girardeau County report to? Is it the alleged Towers Club, those men who think a little too highly of themselves, or, is it the alleged Joe Gambil's "Old Goat's Coffee Club?" It it both, or, is there someone else to whom our Presiding Commissioner, Gerald Jones makes his reports? Why would the big cheese of the county be reporting to anyone, except to us?
I would hope that immediately after this election, regardless of the outcome, that we form a group to look into the alleged undue influence of these alleged power groups in Cape Girardeau, expose their alleged members, and dismantle any vestige of alleged power which they hold over county and city government in Cape Girardeau.
It is time that the governance of the people of Cape Girardeau was carried out by the people of Cape Girardeau and not some alleged secretive, shadowy groups who allegedly impose their dictatorial will upon our elected bodies of representitives in the City Council, and the County Commission, and, in the process, allegedly thwarting the will of the people of Cape Girareau.
We need to re-elect Jay Purcell, give him a new broom and let him sweep that mess away, and return our government to we, the people.
Listen to two audio clips at www.jaypurcell.com I recommend SHUT-UP, where you will hear our prediding commissioner, Gerald Jones make the mistake of saying that he has to report to ???? at about 2 minutes and 15 seconds into the clip. The other clip that seems to be hot at the moment, is NO ARTICLE RAN.
After listening to these two clips, decide if you wish to elect Rock Finch, who, in my opinion was put in this election by the good ole boys, to keep things in county government going along the same shadowdy path, or, if you want to re-elect Jay Purcell, who was not tempted by the bobbles, promises, power, and corrupting influences of the power groups in this county, and, instead, exposed them so we have the chance to help him to wrest power from those who seek to dictate to us, and to reclaim that government for we the people.
www.jaypurcell.com
msv
I think Mr Rust labeled the wrong man paranoid.
Oh Goodbody, you get on here and write your long novels about why you are going to vote for yourself. You speak so highly of yourself considering you broke the law. You know your actions were against the law, yet you insist on speaking against Finch and faking a smile at him at the Pachyderm forum.
Why do you always say the same thing on these blogs? You always say "I know Rock Finch" and "I have met Rock Finch". But of course you have met him! You're running against him.
Change your name as many times as you need to "hide" your identity. The only person speaking against Rock Finch is you, Jay Purcell.
MeLange
My compliments on your most articulate and informative post.
Mr Rust
Are you endorsing Mr Finch personally or is this a SEMissourian endorsement?
“In addition, he taped a closed governmental meeting, which is illegal in Missouri” First, did I miss the article regarding the judges ruling on whether the April meeting was deemed closed or open? The last article (I can locate) is dated 10/10/08 by Rudy…Sides in Cape Girardeau County Sunshine Law suit appear before judge.
“Secretly taping private conversations is simply wrong.” I do NOT believe it is illegal, thus I am concluding you are claiming it is ETHICALLY wrong. IF we are to hold others to high ETHICAL standards, then one should also look in the mirror.
I am not a huge fan of Jay Purcell, however IMO he is the better of the two choices. My logic:
“by looking at "the people supporting my opponent." “ Elected officials (ie Honorable Mayor Knutson, Prosecuting Attorney Swingle) have publically supported Finch, (and IMO used defamatory commentary about Purcell’s character). Knutson did so at a public gathering, Swingle did so in a face-to-face conversation while gathering petition signatures to get Finch on the ballot. (Which I did sign, as I do believe voters have the right to choice.) In addition, Swingle sent out at least one hand-written note reminding a petition signer to vote for Finch. Both cases, the public has elected and entrusted these individuals, thus ETHICALLY wrong to lend support for a candidate. (Let alone solicit him to run in the first place, IF that happened.)
While, within the last decade the Supreme Court has upheld that Commercial enterprises (ie seMissourian) are within their first Amendment rights to offer candidates support, IMO it is ETHICALLY wrong.
IF one wants to toss powerful words about like “manipulation and corruption”, I could not find better examples than the ones I just listed. NOR could I find a better example of reasons NOT to vote for Finch.
I will concede Finch’s (sales) presentation during last week’s open forum was very polished, but what would one expect from a person who has made a career in marketing intangible products? I do NOT want an elected official who can sell taxpayers what they want to hear…I want someone who stands for honesty and transparency.
I do not agree with the manner Jay Purcell handled a very tough situation. I do believe we all make mistakes, especially in very frustrating situations. I believe Purcell has the taxpayer’s interest at heart. I do NOT believe Finch will have…I believe he has been solicited by the “good ole’ boys” and will be deemed “not to rock the boat”. That’s not what taxpayers want or need. IMO
Pardon me if I am wrong, but didnt the Missourian run those very same taped conversations on their website? I mean if it hadnt been for the Missourian those tapes would still be in Purcell's pocket. And then, you want to criticize the man for taping the "good ole boys" at their finest? That is the height of hypocricy.
Jon K. Rust is no journalist. Neither are you a good judge of character. You may be a good manager and boss, but you are obviously too opinionated to be happily married.
Mr. Rust, elected officials do not serve with their credentials and knowledge. If any of that mattered, we could just ask for resumes and degrees.
A public servant must have heart and gumption. While I do not have to pretend to be a psychologist, I can tell you that your ideas about paranoia and personal baggage are atypical. To be judged by the company you keep, is fair game in politics as in many other aspects of public life.
Jay has chosen to serve, whereas Mr. Finch was chosen to serve. There is a big difference.
Judging by what I read about how you align your allegiance, you have chosen your career wisely. I would advise that you write your stories to improve the value of life for your readers and let them choose the leaders who can improve their lives.
Jon K. Rust is no journalist. Neither are you a good judge of character. You may be a good manager and boss. But you are obviously too opinionated to be happily married.
Mr. Rust, elected officials do not serve with their credentials and knowledge. If any of that mattered, we could just ask for resumes and degrees.
A public servant must have heart and gumption. While I do not have to pretend to be a psychologist, I can tell you that your ideas about paranoia and personal baggage are atypical. To be judged by the company you keep, is fair game in politics as in many other aspects of public life.
Jay has chosen to serve, whereas Mr. Finch was chosen to serve. There is a big difference.
Judging by what I read about how you align your allegiance, you have chosen your career wisely. I would advise that you write your stories to improve the value of life for your readers and let them choose the leaders who can improve their lives.
Rock, like Purcell, will insist on "transparency" and open government. But, unlike Purcell, he will not have the history of conflict with the "good old boys" and might be able to get something done. I could never again vote for Purcell because of his secretly tape recording private conversations.
"It's time to end the self-made controversy, though. Voting for Finch not only represents a vote for transparency and fairness without all the baggage, but it represents a vote for the person better qualified to serve the citizens of Cape Girardeau County."
Self made controversy? Sir this controversy was hardly self-made. Who published all of the newspaper stories about this "controversy"?
That would be your paper Mr. Rust, the Southeast Missourian.
Why did the Southeast Missourian publish articles on this "controversy"?
Everyone knows the answer to that, controversy sells, and your job is to sell papers.
You pointing the finger of blame to Mr. Purcell is the equivilent to the pot calling the kettle black.
If you are not willing to accept part of the blame, then it stands to reason you are not qualified to make endorsements to begin with.
Jon Rust has the right to endorse whomever he pleases, for whatever reason pleases him, but that does not keep him from being wrong for many reasons in cutting Jay Purcell, and endorsing Rock Finch.
Jon said... "Secretly taping private conversations is simply wrong. Secretly taping, then sharing selected portions of tapes to influence others, crosses the line into manipulation and corruption."
We have explored the topic of taping converstions in your Speak Out column over the past few months. If Jay Purcell were to bring the charge that Gerald Jones said that he had to go back and report to (someone) none of us would really believe it, if his own words to that effect were not on tape. We wonder, just who was Gerald Jones, the Presiding Commissioner of Cape Girardeau County "reporting" to? It seems to verify Mr. Purcells claim that there exists one, or, two power groups of "good ole boys," who want to run our county government and city council, without actually having the courage to step forward and place THEIR names on the ballot for election to same.
When Jon Rust speaks of " manipulation and corruption " I immediately think of these two power groups, the Tower Club, and Joe Gambil's ********'s Coffee Club.
I have been told by two respected, and prominent Cape Girardeau businessmen over the years, that I should be careful, because there existed a group in Cape Girardeau who could get me fired from my position. I was told, by the other, that there was a CLIQUE in Cape Girardeau of which I should be aware.
I have met Rock Finch. I am sure that he is a fine man in many ways, but I am greatly disappointed in the way that he has thrown his lot in with these good ole boys, and seems, in my opinion, to be their lackey, their stooge. I feel that if these good ole boy groups are successful in electing their alleged stooge, Rock Finch, to County Government, that the problems that we have been exposed by the courage of Jay Purcell, will only continue, and, perhaps, expand even further, as they will be drunk with power.
Go to Jay Purcell's website. www.jaypurcell.com Listen to SHUT UP, at least for the first 2 minutes of it where the Presiding Commissioner, Gerald Jones, tells Purcell to shut up, and in so many words, to stop rocking the boat, or, he will ruin it for all of them. The impression is, that they all have a good thing going, and Purcell will mess up their good thing.
Then, at 2 minutes and 15 seconds into the audio clip SHUT UP at www.jaypurcell.com you will hear the Presiding Commissioner, supposedly the BIG CHEESE in Cape Girardeau County Government, say that he has to go back and REPORT TO ....?? Immediately, I asked.. "To whom does the Presiding Commissioner, Gerald Jones REPORT TO?" Is it the Tower Club? Is it Joe Gamblil's ********'s Coffee Club? Just who is it that the Presiding Commissioner, our highest elected official (other than the Sheriff) report to? So, Jon, that is why it was necessary for Jay Purcell to make those recordings so that we could hear for ourselves and make up our own minds as to what they mean.
I do hope the days of the good ole boys and their undo influence over the people and the government of the people of Cape Girardeau City and County are at an end.
I intend to do my part in attempting to bring their power base to an end, by voting for a man of courage, of honor, who was not tempted by the power and bobbles of the good ole boys, and who wishes to really, really represent us.
I am voting for, and I support Jay Purcell for 2nd District County Commissioner.
www.jaypurcell.com listen to SHUT UP and, the new clip.. NO ARTICLE RAN. Then, you do as your concience directs you.
It's not paranoia if the power brokers in the county really are out to get you.
LOL...This is too funny...Someone should write a book.
"All About Cape County Republicans".
Mr. Finch elected: Same o, Same o. nothing will change. Just look who his backers are: The Rust and the Southeast Missourian, the county attorney who list his books on the county's web site, the local attorney who is his treasurer, plus who knows who else. All in the good "O Boy" network. Sell county property without any public input, so on and so on. My vote is for Mr. Purcell. You may not agree with what he done but you sure found out a lot about Mr. Jones "foul mouth" Jones. My what a great grandfather "foul mouth" he is.
I am certainly no fan of Mr. Purcell. I think he is grandstanding and showboating and what you say about him may very well be correct.
But the truth is, he has exposed Gerald Jones and Larry Bock for the 'good ole boys' they are.
Having said that I'm afraid Mr. Finch, will simply return the commission to doing things without anyone knowing what they are doing.
If I could be persuaded that Mr. Finch could and would stand up to Gerald Jones, then he would get my vote. (assuming I lived in the second district)
Most of us that have had the displeasure of dealing with Purcell over the years know that every word of it is true.
Mr Rust
I take issue with the fourth paragraph in your endorsement of Mr Finch. You, Sir, are no psychiatrist and should not be diagnosing paranoia nor the origin of perceived character flaws. You could have just endorsed your candidate without the personal smears against Mr Purcell. As my grandmother used to say about people like you...."he sure thinks a lot of hisself".