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GoogleThe payments continue a pattern of late property tax payments for the longtime public official who held a seat on the Cape Girardeau City Council before being elected to the commission in 2004. In seven of the last nine years, Purcell has paid his taxes late, generally early in the year but not until October 2006 on his 2005 tax bill.
In a statement issued Friday, Purcell promised to pay the remaining bill early in August. The payments for 2008's taxes were late, he wrote, because of his wife Kelly Purcell's heart surgery as well as bills he incurred to seek re-election and pay for a lawsuit accusing his fellow commissioners of conducting an illegal closed meeting.
Property taxes are due Dec. 31. When the bill is unpaid after that date, interest is added at the rate of 2 percent per month until the total interest charged equals 18 percent. A 7 percent penalty is added to the total bill of base taxes and interest.
The Southeast Missourian checked the tax records of 52 elected officials currently in office in Cape Girardeau County. The review looked at the tax payments of every member of the Cape Girardeau City Council, the Jackson Board of Aldermen, the Cape Girardeau School Board, the Jackson School Board, Cape Girardeau County elected officials, state lawmakers and U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson.
Of those 52, only Purcell had outstanding taxes and only Purcell showed a history of late payment. Four other officials -- Jackson School Board member Brent Wills, Cape Girardeau School Board members Tony Smee and Luther Bonds and Cape Girardeau Ward 2 Councilman Charlie Herbst III -- paid their personal property taxes for vehicles after Dec. 31.
In the statement, Purcell did not address his tax payment history. In a telephone interview, Purcell said he has not tried to avoid taxes but could not address specifics of his tax history. When late fees were due, he said, he paid them. His investments in real estate were mainly in properties needing repairs, so income was slow to develop.
"I just know I have always done the very best I can," Purcell said. "I was not wealthy. I was not born wealthy. I have always worked hard for what I have. I am very proud of what I have now. Have I had struggles to get here? Yes, but have always paid my bills, I have always paid my late fees."
The statement from Purcell about this year's taxes reads:
"In the last 18 to 24 months the Purcell family has experienced many challenges. My wife Kelly had heart surgery from which she has not fully recovered, my family was involved in a head-on collision with an at-fault uninsured driver, one of our commercial tenants declared bankruptcy on us and as many of you are aware we have spent substantial monies on the sunshine lawsuit and a recent reelection campaign. As if the last part of 2007 and the year of 2008 wasn't challenging enough we had a historic bed and breakfast destroyed by fire February of this year.
"I lay out these events not to invoke pity or make excuses but to demonstrate that the Purcell family has had challenges that have caused us to experience loss of income and incur major medical and legal expenses which has contributed to our property taxes not being paid.
"As you can probably imagine I am embarrassed by our unpaid property taxes being a subject of a story, but I am also relieved that those that I serve with can no longer threaten me with this story going public. Although recently we have gone through a rough patch we feel that we are blessed and feel our challenges are no greater than those of any other family. The Purcell family is healing physically and financially and will rebound fully. I apologize to the citizens of Cape Girardeau County for any distress my unpaid property taxes has caused them and I think it is important to note that we paid a portion of our property taxes on July 23, 2009, and had already committed to pay the balance off with late fees in full the first week of August."
Purcell receives a salary of more than $63,000 per year as a county commissioner. His salary is not dependent on property taxes because county general revenue taxes have been replaced with a sales tax. Property taxes support the salaries of many other public employees, including those in public schools, the Cape Girardeau Public Library and Cape Girardeau city government.
For three of the other public officials who paid late, the failure to pay was an oversight, each said.
Wills said the March payment of $173.14 on a car for 2007 taxes was due to an oversight on his assessment list, discovered when the car license was renewed.
Herbst said the February payment of $662.82 on family vehicles was due to the bill being misplaced.
And Smee said the April payment of $234.69 was made when the unpaid bill was found among tax receipts as he prepared this year's income tax return.
Bonds could not be reached for comment.
Purcell tax history
Since 2000, Cape Girardeau County Commissioner Jay Purcell has paid his real estate taxes on time only twice, in 2002 and 2006. During that time, his holdings of real estate have grown as he invested in rental properties. Property tax payments are due Dec. 31. The history of his recent tax payments:
2000: $235.24, including $34.18 in interest and penalties, on one parcel paid June 19, 2001.
2001: $315.62, including $19.26 in interest and penalties, on one parcel paid Jan. 10, 2002.
2003: $1,395.18, including $116.85 in interest and penalties, on two parcels paid Jan. 20, 2004.
2004: $4,429.34, including $448.99 in interest and penalties, on four parcels paid Feb. 15, 2005.
2005: $5,184.92, including $1,074.58 in interest and penalties, on four parcels paid Oct. 2, 2006.
2007: $7,928.32, including $804.58 in interest and penalties, on six parcels paid Feb. 20, 2008.
2008: $8,944.56, including $1,611.77 in interest and penalties, owed Wednesday on six parcels; $3,966.15 paid Thursday.
Source: Cape Girardeau County Collector's Office
Purcell properties
Cape Girardeau County Commissioner Jay Purcell owns six pieces of Cape Girardeau real estate. He has purchased most of them while sitting on either the Cape Girardeau City Council or the Cape Girardeau County Commission. The properties, and their current tax status, are:
1533/1537 Independence St.,
2008 Base tax amount: $2,366.69
Taxes, interest and penalties paid Thursday: $2,886.89
1518 William St.
2008 Base tax amount: $558.12
Taxes, interest and penalties paid Thursday: $680.80
141 Louisiana Ave.
2008 Base tax amount: $1,139.94
Currently owed: $1,390.50
302 Lake Drive S.
2008 Base tax amount: $1,883.41
Currently owed: $2,297.39
1021 Bloomfield St.
2008 Base tax amount: $326.66
Taxes, interest and penalties paid Thursday: $398.46
2725 Oakshire Circle.
2008 Base tax amount: $1,057.97
Currently owed: $1,290.52
Source: Cape Girardeau County Collector's Office
388-3642
Pertinent address:
1 Barton Square, Jackson, Mo.
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please 
I fail to find this newsworthy. One must ask just WHY the Missourian would be interested in the property tax records of 52 public officials? They are in this recession just like someone who works in the private sector. Why not look at the property tax records of our teachers and professors at the university? They are public officials as well. Mr. Keller, do you have the gonads to do that investigation as well? Methinks you were just targeting Mr. Purcell. And to think I thought that you were above the good ole boy network.
And the point is...?
I don't feel that this is something that needs to be made public. He paid. What's the big deal?
I agree. What business is this of ours? I'm sure there is something more important out there. If the taxes dont get paid it gets sold. Hey they are making more off of him by being late than if he paid on time, 7 percent is more than they can make with the money in the bank.
I think it is very newsworthy. If Smokey can't manage his own business why should he be managing county business? As a testment to his lack of intergity he brags about how much money he will make off his fire when he gets his insurance check.
Why do you people continue to support these public officials who break the law at to meet their own agendas. You also need to quit saying that the county gets more money by him being late and paying the penalty. Just think if your employer was several months late on your payroll - the stress that it place on you financially. Late payments do not benefit anyone, it just causes the problem to snowball.
This is going to be fun!
With the high taxes locally every one has to pay in Cape Girardeau County this don't surprise me one bit. Take s fortune to live in the county. Every one has been struggling the past two and half years I don't care who you are or what you are made of. Out of control health care cost, sky rocketing real estate, personal property, and high local sales taxes contribute to a problem like this one during extreme difficult economic times. Mr Purcell will pay his local taxes he might be late but he will pay them within time.
It became new worthy from our blogs last week. WE the people have the power of the pen now with modern technology.
"Render unto Caesar". Matthew 22:21
We all know that our taxes are due on December 31 every year. We all know that the tax money is used by the city/county for many purposes, one is employee salaries. Although it may not be a big problem if just a handful of citizens are late each year, but what would happen if we all failed to pay our taxes on time? It would have an adverse affect on everyone in this county! It cannot be tolerated! Jay Purcell is a big boy and he knows to pay his taxes on time just like everyone else, it's the law. He is also an elected official of this county, and like him or not, he is setting a poor example for others. He could have avoided this by taking care of his responsibility on time. Could it be that bad publicity is better than no publicity at all?
Who the heck cares? Why don't you print this info for everyone that holds an elected seat and then well see that everyone has prolbems. They may not all be money but no one leads a perfect life/marriage etc. Frankly it is not anyone's business when Jay Purcell pays his taxes and it is VERY TACKY to print this article. No wonder this paper is the laughing stock.
I don't think this is newsworthy.At least he paid them....look at the tax cheat that's running our treasury department for the U.S.?Now that's newsworthy!...I think you all need to leave Ourcell alone.he's a good man!
For those of you who don't think this is newsworthy. I beg to ask the question, shouldn't our elected officials be held to higher standard of accountibility? Your comments only condone the lowering of the bar.
Frankly, I blame George W. Bush for this. Sure...the man repented in the name of Jeebus, but the fact is....He was an alcoholic and drug user. CONVICTED of DUI. What happened? His character reflected his judgement, the man ended up being a complete idiot. Well Duh! He was a DRUG USER!
We don't need to "make it easy" on these folks. WE PAY THEIR SALARIES, and should expect nothing but the best. There should be a sense of pride here. I realize no one is perfect, but we should be more analytical of these politicians.
Truman said, "you can't ever trust a man who commits adultery. If he will break his word to his wife, you can't trust him on anything."
Well, it's the same with paying taxes and shows fiscal irresponsibility and waste. Look at the penalty fees! That's waste, if he'll waste his own dollars, he'll have no problem wasting tax dollars. Example: the $2000 desk and chair Whining Voice said Purcell spent. $2000?? We all know those products can be bought for less than $500. OR, I'm sure in the catacombs of the Courthouse, there are desks and chairs available. Fiscal irresponsibility folks, plain and simple.
WhiningVoice, I've heard that bragging myself. This is deplorable
Watch it Grandpa, or you might just find yourself receiving ANOTHER call at home from ANOTHER county elected official. We have our eye on you.
Start callin' I'll have the voice recorder on this time, so calling me with a private number won't help.
ohh..and nice name btw, I get your little joke.
It just goes to show that once anyone get's elected they fell the rules dont apply to them. How many of us lowly commeners could go months with outpaying our taxes or rent or any of the other issues that we all have heard about over the years. House banking, white water, trooper gate, water gate, Iran/contra, etc., etc., etc.
REALLY!!! Is this the most news worthy thing going on in cape?? If he is receiving late fees and paying them is this not income for the county??
Resign Purcell.
Rudi thanks for this article.
Apparently several posters have said that they don't find this newsworthy since "he has paid".
Please reread the first paragraph of this article, "Cape Girardeau County Commissioner Jay Purcell paid $3.966.15 in property taxes Thursday, 204 days late and $4,978.41 short."
He is still SHORT. As one previous post indicated, this did come up last week on a thread and I am glad that this "rumor" has been put to rest.
Now it is time for Jay to start selling some of his properties or face the music and pay. I for one am tired of seeing my tax bill, but pay it. As an elected official he is under the public microscope and as such should be called to a higher standard.
Next time he starts on Mr. Jones, maybe he should just turn to him and ask when he will be current on his taxes.
Smokey would like us to believe he has no medical insurance? His wife heart surgery was only 24 hour. He has insurance with the county and she has insurance with Southeast Hospital. What about the $26,000 he spent on fixing up his classic Mustang? He also didn't have to file the lawsuit. Smokey needs to take some responsible for his actions instead of blaming others.
Why not look at the property tax records of our teachers and professors at the university? They are public officials as well. Mr. Keller, do you have the gonads to do that investigation as well?
Why not look at the tax records of all public employees MODOT, Child Support Enforcement, Department of Revenue, Judges, Health Department, etc.
I agree with G-man but Smokey cannot met a higher standard that is the problem.
The last time I checked, it is not illegal to pay your property taxes late. As long as he pays them, with the penalties, it is a non-story.
If we were talking about someone who hadn't paid the taxes after a year or two, then yes it is a story.
This shouldn't have been printed. Yes, it is a matter of public record. If someone wants this information, they can go look it up.
As for the comment about teachers and professors, they are not public officials. On top of that, they are not publicly elected.
Now that Mr. Keller has printed the property tax information on all of Mr. Purcell's properties, I think that in order for him to provide a fair and balanced story he should print the tax history (8 previous years) and property holdings of the other 51 elected officials mentioned in the article.
By Smokey's own admission if he didn't get relected last fall he would have to file for Chapter 11 protection. We don't need a person like that managing local tax dollars. He is better qualifed for congress LOL
Why stop at the public officials? If you want it to be fair game, I am going to find out if every single person that works for the Southeast Missourian has paid their taxes this year and if they did I will see if they paid them late. Then I am going to post it on the website topix.com for all to see.
Grandpa ... gman ... Agree that this is, in view of the fact that Purcell is an elected public official, newsworthy. Hard to imagine why anyone would think it isn't ...
All government employees at every level should be held accountable for their actions, and when they do something wrong, it should be made public.
But ... many people only want the mistakes of those whom they oppose made public, while the errors of those they support should be kept covered up.
WhiningVoice, thanks for this wealth of information. I've always supported Mr. Purcell, but in light of all of this, and now a $26,000 classic car I will never give him another dime. Sell the car Jay! Pay your taxes! Ohh...And don't swing by my business asking for support or donations in the future.
Ainamolagem -
Welcome to the blogs. You must be new around here.
For the sixth time Jay, resign your seat on the Commission you are a scab on a sore that keeps getting picked. Out with Jones as well as he is nothing but a dirty old man with a bad attitude!
We need a different type of County Commission because this three ring circus has become the laughing stock of this County. I do however Pray that your Wife recovers fully Jay and I realize what heart surgery can do to ones well being as my wife went through open heart surgery less than two years ago as many here recall and she is still recovering and will never be the same. I paid my taxes on time and my share of the hospital bill within days of receiving it which was darn substantial. You have stated you don't want to play the pitty card but frankly you have. Time for a new direction in this County without Purcell or Jones being involved in any way.
Ainamolagem.....equals....Megalomania spelled backwards! welcome back Megla
Oh, please. I thought that George W could not be blamed for anything else. Now he's the cause of late tax payments in Cape Girardeau? Maybe it actually started with Clinton (before W came on the scene) and his drug use--oh no wait--he didn't inhale, and his non-sexual sexual relationships outside his marriage. Gosh, I guess this will never end since the current president has admitted to using cocaine, he now has the burden contributing to the lack of flow of tax dollars on a city-by-city incidence. Weren't there were several of his nominees for cabinet heads for the federal government who had not paid federal income taxes? According to prior posts, those must have all been victims of George W. too.
The news article states that Jay Purcell paid only $3.966 (almost $4). With this gross mistake in Mr. Keller's data, how do we know how many other decimal points were misplaced???
Let us also publish the same information of every person who derives any income by the payment of Cape Girardeau property taxes--elected or not--for the same time period past and for now and forever forward. It will ensure no empty space in the Southeast Missourian and pure transparency will prevail.
Thank goodness Mrs. Purcell's heart surgery was ONLY 24 hours. If the surgery was 24 hours, my goodness, how long did she have to stay in the hospital or was she discharged while still under anesthesia? Glad it wasn't something really serious since having heart surgery is such a trivial procedure nowadays.
I pay Cape County and City taxes. Jay was re-elected. He got behind on taxes, he is catching up. I'm fine with that. This is public information and if anyone is really interested enough, go look it up yourself and call speakout. Can the Missourian just get over it? This is not news. I don't know what it is.
$26,000 on fixing up a Classic Mustang?? LOL! OMG, that pretty much ends the pity party then, doesn't it.
Wolf, an inside birdy tells me that Ainamolagem isn't Megalomania, but hey...what would I know. *wink*
Grandma, I think you and I will get along real fine like.
GreyWolf: Megalo is Grandpa_Sassy, not the backwards spelled dude. You can change the icon, but not the style.
So i take it that Jay dosen't own the building on the corner of S Spanish and Merriwther anymore? And that sounds like Jay to me a slumlord and thinks he can get away with anything! Kick him off the commisions and also he wasn't good as a city council person either! I remember when he was trying to get elected he said we need U in Purcell well we don't need U we need someone who pays their bills and dosent try to take advantage of the system!
I thought that was him, he and his lovely wife taking a cruise one fine morning.
Huh? Unfortunately we ALL don't make the best decisions financially and anticipate everyone of lifes' bumps but he is human like all of us. Yes, he should pay his taxes and face the same punishment as the rest of us. Whether or not he stays in office, time will tell.
Wow! I am so sorry Grandpa_Sassy my mistake AGAIN!
I also apologise to Ainamolagem. In any case both of you keep up the good work and comments. I feel really ridiculous now that I have spent a little more time looking at styles in writing. Oh, I know! I can here many of you already, " That damn Greywolf is stupid"! No worries though, because I am well aware that I can be at times.
Now, after some more thought I have decided to quit commenting on Purcells shortcomings. I will say, I have more faith in Jay paying these taxes than I do the Wymans paying theirs. I hope they both prove me wrong and soon.
Oh and Jay, I know you read this forum so listen up. vote NO on the purchase of the Courthouse this week. WE WANT A YMCA which would serve the public much better than more office space!!
Wolf,
As I always said..oops say, "Smart Guy, Intelligent, Pillar of his community!" LOL!
º¿º Still planning to run for Auditor? We'll be waiting.
capeguy30, Jay USED to own the p.o.s. building on the corner, and that's where I was a tenant. Then, after not fixing for YEARS a basement apartment that flooded everytime it rained, he finally sold it and gave us the 30 days notice. The only reason we lived there was because we HAD to. We couldn't afford anywhere else. So, while he was busy fixing up his 'stang, we were using a ShopVac to suck the inch or so of rainwater out of our bedroom. That's why I feel absolutely no pity for him. He treats everyone like a dog and wastes all his money on himself. I don't know how his wife can stomach him. She's a good woman, and I'm sorry to hear about her surgery.
Not to mention that when we still lived there, he bragged to us that he pulled a gun on a tenant's "friend" and then started spouting off the "N" word.
At least Smokey is trying to improve his income stream. I mean he is using his new office in the annex building to collect his rent. I'm sure if the county gets the old federal courthouse he will collect his rent in there.
So he treats tenants like county employees. No surprise there.
I would be more interested in the renovation of their bed and breakfast. when can we look forward to that? As far as their late tax payments are concerned, why not publish everyone's financial concerns in Cape county? I've lived here all my life and Cape has always been a little "peyton place"; gossip has always traveled fast, but now with the Missourian doing their part, we're all better informed.
Oh Brother! What a waste of a good tree to print this crap. Purcell is a politician, need I say more. He is no different than all the rest be it local, state or federal they are all crooks.
The law allows that taxes can be paid after the December 31st deadline. As long as Mr. Purcell pays them along with the interest that is also allowed by law, I have no problem with him. The interest increases the county's cash to be used as the county wishes. If he is a bad landlord find another place to pay rent to live. If you can't afford to find another place to live maybe you live in your car (if you have one) or get in touch with the reverend Rice, maybe he can take care of you. If you have a problem with Mr. Purcell as a politician vote the rascal out the next election and hope you get someone with integrity to take his place (doubtful as I believe all politicians by nature lack integrity). If you have a problem with Mr. Purcell as a person, my suggestion would be to stay away from him if at all possible.
This isn't about "laws." This is about ethics folks. I'm sure the next ham and egger who runs for office now will remember this. You folks who are condoning this, are just lowering the bar for the next round of politicians. Congratulations! You've just flushed more ethical values down the toilet.
"By Smokey's own admission if he didn't get relected last fall he would have to file for Chapter 11 protection."
Yep! Knew it! Always a good reason for someone to run for office. Wished someone would look into the affairs of our County Clerk. I heard she was going to leave Cape if she didn't get elected.
Uh excuse me fine people, but I seem to "see" things from an uh different perspective.
Now some folks might say Purcell's taxes are late and that 52 other elected officials aren't.
Na Na Na Now that tells me that Jay is a working man who is paying his taxes (yes a little late and also having to pay penalties for them)
The question at hand is this: Who's paying the taxes of the other elected officials. Who Who Who's lining THEIR pockets, because someone is got to got to got to be and if the others are bought and paid for you know they gonna want to be paid back for those favors.
Now Mr. Jay ain't beholden to no one, so he don't owe anyone any favors.
Hello!
mobushwhacker
Naa, he's just a dead beat slumlord. I've also heard those stories about how he has no heart when evicting people from his slum house. All hearsay, of coarse. I don't want him to sue ol' granny here.
He should be given the same compassion that he has shown throughout his life. Remember, what goes round come round.
Maybe so, I've always admired his fight against the Cape County Status quo (With apologies to "Ray Charles" of course...lol
I agree. He the lesser of the evils.
Dear Jay Purcell , Please change your last name to Wyman so that the missourian can sugarcoat your story next time...or so you don't have to pay your taxes.
Swimfan, I pity your outlook. The world unfortunately isn't that cut and dry, and by "we" as tenants, I was speaking about me and my mother. I lived in that apartment from the age of 11 through 19. My mom would not have subjected me to living in a car. The experience has not affected me in anyway, except to give me a better appreciation for what I do have. While I live in NY now, my mother still lives in Cape and in a nice apartment which the people actually FIX. My mother didn't want to do or say anything, because she knew if we would raise a fuss, Jay would boot us out so quick it would make our heads spin. But I'm a believer in karma. What goes around comes around.
Grandpa_Sassy you seem to have missed my point about the integrity of politicians and the fact that they don't have any, therefore they lack ethics. The bar has always been lower for the "next round of politicians" at least since I was old enough to watch the Watergate hearings on TV (back when only CBS,NBC,ABC existed). The only thing politically since that time that has changed is that the two parties spend way too much energy sniping at each other and way less energy taking care of this country. But that is getting way off subject as to what is allowed by law regarding paying taxes, ethics has nothing to do with what the law allows. If people have a problem with what the law allows, they should lobby their reps to get the law changed so that taxes must be paid at the end of the year, no exceptions. Think about that as it brings up a whole different set of problems. If you have a problem with Mr. Purcell handling of his taxes, again I say vote him out and take a chance on the next "ethical" (you hope) commissioner.
Methinks Rudolphus Keller should spend more time researching and reporting the actual news rather than helping out the good ole boy network.
On that note when is Knudtson done wrecking this town? He got his waterpark he so desperately wanted.
Purcell isn't AS crooked as the good ole boy network but he has a very short temper. He has also played the ANTI-good ole boy network thing out.
swimfan, I think Mr. Purcell will be hard pressed to find any support in the next election.
Mr. Keller has always been a fair minded reporter, but one has to wonder under the circumstances that he wrote the above article, after all, Jon Rust endorsed his opponent.
Perhaps Rudy didn't have a choice in the writing of this article, the economy is bad, and newspaper jobs aren't as easy to come by as they used to be.
Kind of sounds like the {in}famous "Tower Club" is at work here.
"Tower Club" is like saying Lord Voldemort in this town. It is the name of which we do not repeat!
From what I've heard the secret "unspoken club" has some pretty powerful people on it.
You are correct Mr. Eastwood, the economy is rocking the paper like a hurrican.e
jakebanzai, where are you when we need you????