BEUSSINK, DIEBOLD CITED EXPERIENCE FOR COLLECTOR

The race for Cape Girardeau County collector is a battle of differing experience.

Judy Beussink, the Democratic candidate, has 33 years of experience working in Cape County government. For 20 years she has been chief deputy county clerk.

Diane Diebold, the Republican candidate, has 26 years of experience in business administration, accounting and computer technology, working in the private sector.

Voters will choose Tuesday. Cape Girardeau's longtime county collector, Republican Harold Kuehle, is retiring. The vacancy attracted a lot of candidates in the primary election.

After winning their respective party nominations in August, Diebold and Beussink have been campaigning hard, including a lot of door-to-door campaigning.

"One of our biggest things has been to get out and meet as many people as we can," Diebold said. "I've met a lot of wonderful people that way."

Beussink agreed. "It's a lot of hard work, but I wish I could knock on more doors and meet more voters," she said.

Beussink hopes her experience in Cape County government will make a difference with voters. "I have extensive experience in all the necessary aspects of the job," she said. "I have 33 years of working for the county and with county government."

As chief deputy county clerk, Beussink has worked with the county's tax books. The county clerk, assessor and collector work together to establish the tax books.

"I know the books from beginning to finish," she said. "I also know what each office does. I know the flow chart of the work that has to be done all year long. I know that experience would be very beneficial to the office."

County government is different than private business, Beussink said.

"The county operates by Missouri state statutes," she said. "I've been reading and researching statutes for the past 33 years. I already have proven that I can do this job. I'm extremely proud of my work record and stand firmly behind my work record."

She said she also has experience working with the public and handling administrative duties. The chief deputy is in charge when the clerk isn't present.

"I hope voters look for the candidate who is ready to go in and take over where Harold leaves off," Beussink said.

Diebold says her experience and education give her the skills needed to do the job. She has worked as an accountant for private business the past 26 years, then decided to run for county office.

"It was a hard decision to make," Diebold said. "But I looked at the job and what the work entails. I have the confidence that I know the job and have the experience to do the job. I also thought I could be an asset to the community and citizens."

She said her college degrees in accounting and computer science would be an asset.

"We pay by computer-generated tax bills and generate computer reports," Diebold said. "I understand how all that works and can keep that part of the office going in a smooth, orderly fashion."

Similarly, she said, her accounting experience gives her experience useful in tracking tax bills and payments.

"On a personal level, this would be a very rewarding job for me," Diebold said. "I love working for people and around people. This is a job that touches a lot of people every year. Everyone pays taxes.

"It would be something a little different," she said. "In the past I have represented a company. Now I would be representing the citizens every day."

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY COLLECTOR CANDIDATES

Name: Judy Beussink

Party affiliation: Democrat

Age: 53

Hometown: Jackson

Education: Portageville High School honor graduate. Attended Southeast Missouri State University.

Job history: Chief deputy clerk of the Cape Girardeau County Commission for 20 years. Has worked in the county clerk's office 33 years.

Previous political offices: None.

Family: She and her husband, David, have two children.

Name: Diane Diebold

Party affiliation: Republican

Age: 41

Hometown: Jackson

Education: Accounting degree from Southeast Missouri State University.

Job history: Controller for Double D Tractor Parts Inc. in Sikeston, a position she has held since 1996. For 23 years prior, she was an accountant with the Drury Co. in Cape Girardeau.

Previous political offices: None.

Family: Married to Vince Diebold. No children.