13 filings take aim at county leadership

Thirteen people filed for two Cape Girardeau County commission seats Tuesday, the first day for filing.

County Clerk Rodney Miller, who oversees county elections, said the number is the largest in his memory.

"You look at the last two or three years, and a lot of times there weren't even races in the primaries and even general elections in some places," Miller said. "It should be a pretty lively August."

In addition to the commission seats, at least one Republican and one Democrat filed for county offices of treasurer, coroner and public administrator. Assessor Jerry Reynolds and Sheriff John Jordan currently have no opposition in their re-election bids.

Seven men filed for second district commissioner, who represents the city of Cape Girardeau. The commissioners earn a salary of $54,968. The seat is currently held by Joe Gambill, who did not file on Tuesday and has not said whether he will seek re-election.

Of the seven who filed for District 2, only one filed as a Democrat -- James Bowers, a retired Cape Girardeau Central High School teacher. Others who filed on the Republican ticket are:

former seven-year police officer and business owner James Clay Waller.

retired disabled police officer Dan Niswonger.

former Cape Girardeau mayoral candidate and local businessman Walter White.

current and long-time county treasurer Bill Reynolds.

Cape Girardeau councilman and businessman Jay Purcell.

and retired career U.S. Air Force veteran and retired bank president Bill Stanfield.

Six filed for the District 1 seat currently held by Larry Bock, a prominent member of the agricultural community who is seeking re-election to his third consecutive four-year term and his fourth term altogether. Other candidates include:

auto shop owner Charlie Roberts of Oriole.

county information technology director Robert Cox of Jackson.

heavy equipment contractor David Hahn, who lives near Burfordville.

Shipping Utilities Inc. service technician David Blumenberg of Whitewater.

operating engineer Doug Flannery, who has twice run for commissioner and lost.

The large turnout doesn't include all the possible candidates. Jackson Mayor Paul Sander said Tuesday he is seriously considering a run for a seat on the commission.

The commission has been in the middle of a handful of controversies over the past year. They include the road and bridge tax debate with the city of Jackson; the decision not to go ahead with plans for a new juvenile center; a dispute with a local communications dealer over the bidding process; and a debate with Jackson over whether to allow the city to inspect a county remodeling project.

Niswonger said he is running "mainly because I've seen a lot of controversy in the paper. Maybe it's time for some change to see if we can get some things straightened out."

Cox, the county's information technology director, agreed with that assessment.

"I think that it's a time for a change," he said. "I've worked in county government for 10 years, the last five as a department head. And I've seen some areas where I think I could make some improvement."

In other offices, a Republican, Dean Sawyer, and a Democrat, Leonard Joseph Barreca, both filed for treasurer, which has a budgeted salary of $47,074.

Incumbent Democrat Michael Hurst and Republicans John Clifton and Edward Frenzel have filed for coroner, a part-time position which pays $19,959.

The public administrator position, salaried at $47,074, is being sought by Republican incumbent Phyllis Schwab and Democratic candidate Deborah McBride based on the first day of filing.

Incumbent Sheriff John Jordan was the only person to file for that position, which earns $65,890. Incumbent Jerry Reynolds was the only person to file for assessor. The assessor makes $56,968.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635