CANDIDATES GEAR UP FOR COUNTY ELECTIONS; HOPKINS TO RUN FOR COLLECTOR

A Cape Girardeau Republican announced Tuesday he will run for county collector.

Matthew J. Hopkins is seeking the job now held by Harold Kuehle, who is retiring.

Hopkins is the second person to enter the race for county collector. Judy Beussink of Jackson earlier had announced she is running for the open seat.

Hopkins is executive director of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation.

He is a graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School and Southeast Missouri State University.

Hopkins said he wants to continue the county's tradition of strong financial management.

"We are fortunate to have a county government operating with no debts and with cash in the bank," Hopkins said.

"Harold Kuehle has built a strong foundation over the last 32 years in the collector's office and I want to maintain that solid groundwork," he said.

Hopkins, who has a degree in finance and management, stressed his financial management experience.

He is a lifelong resident of Cape Girardeau County and a member of Grace United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Barbara, have two children.

He served as president of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees in 1991-92. He was named an outstanding president by the Missouri Jaycees in 1992.

In 1993, he was ranked among the top 30 Jaycee regional directors in the nation.

"I bring expertise and education to the position of county collector and plan to take Cape County into the next century with improved service through using more technology," Hopkins said.

"It's time to offer a busy constituency more convenient ways to remit taxes, such as paying by credit card and by personal computer," he said.

Hopkins has served on the board of directors for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. He also is a member of chambers of commerce in Poplar Bluff, Sikeston, Farmington, Dexter, Kennett and Malden.