CANDIDATES DISCUSS VIEWS AT LOCAL FORUM

The three Republican candidates for the 158th District state House seat say Missourians should have the right to carry concealed weapons.

The two Democrats running for Congress in the 8th District of Southeast Missouri say the nation needs campaign finance reform.

Those were among two of the issues discussed during a two-hour candidates forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Southeast Missouri. The forum featured candidates in four contested primary races: 8th Congressional District, state representative for the 158th District, and Cape Girardeau County public administrator and coroner.

About 40 people attended the forum in Dempster Hall's Glenn Auditorium. The forum was taped for broadcast next week on the local cable access channel. The times for the broadcasts will be announced.

State representative candidates Jason Crowell, Jay Purcell and Stan Wicks agreed that all Americans should have the right to bear arms.

Wicks said the law-abiding public shouldn't be punished for the acts of criminals.

Both Purcell and Crowell suggested they would like to see another concealed weapons measure submitted to voters. Voters recently turned down a measure that would have granted the public the right to carry concealed weapons.

Wicks, Crowell and Purcell also said they oppose abortion rights. Wicks said abortions should only be allowed in the case of rape or to save the life of the mother.

Both Crowell and Purcell said they were endorsed by the Missouri Right to Life group, which opposes abortion rights.

Wicks stressed his business background in running for the office. "I wanted one of us up there representing us," said Wicks, who operates a building renovation and repair business.

Crowell stressed his legislative and governmental experience, having worked for the Missouri Supreme Court, the Missouri attorney general's office, state Sen. Peter Kinder and the late congressman Bill Emerson.

Purcell emphasized his experience on the Cape Girardeau City Council and his involvement in various civic organizations.

The winner of the Aug. 8 primary faces Democrat Tom Neumeyer this fall.

Democratic congressional candidates Earl Durnell and Bob Camp voiced their support for campaign finance reform.

Camp, a Cape Girardeau musician, said it is the main reason he is running for the seat. He said he isn't taking any donations. If elected, he said he would vote according to the "conscience" of Southeast Missouri residents.

Durnell, a cattle farmer from Cabool, said election campaigns need to be taken out of the hands of corporate America and foreign interests.

Durnell said he wants to address the farm problem by rewriting the 1996 Freedom to Farm Act. He said the government needs to provide "some supply management" and make sure farmers can sell their products abroad on an even playing field.

Camp said he doesn't have a farm plan but would seek the advice of 8th District farmers if he wins the primary.

The winner faces Republican incumbent Jo Ann Emerson this fall.

As to the public administrator race, incumbent John Ferguson stressed his experience. "It's a hands-on job. It is not an office job," said Ferguson, who manages the financial affairs of 121 clients who are unable to handle their own affairs.

Schwab, wife of state Rep. David Schwab of Jackson, emphasized her business background and willingness to work with people.

A third Republican in the race, Kenneth Bryan, was unable to attend.

The winner faces Democrat Michael Hurst in November.

Two of the three Republican candidates for coroner attended the forum. Wayne T. Godwin and Don "Butch" Gast voiced their views.

Incumbent John Carpenter, who is battling cancer, was hospitalized and couldn't attend.

In a letter read by a League moderator, Carpenter said he recently underwent surgery for some "scar adhesions."

But Carpenter said he can continue to do the job of coroner. He said there is no substitute for experience.

Both Gast and Godwin stressed their previous experience as paramedics and suggested they could do a better job.

A former deputy coroner, Gast said the coroner's office needs to develop a plan to deal with deadly disasters.

Godwin wants to make use of local pathologists to do autopsies.

Both men said the county could benefit in the future from having a medical examiner. But they said they doubted taxpayers would support such a costly position.

The winner of that race is assured of victory this fall because no Democrat is running for the position.