CANDIDATES TAKE ISSUE WITH LETTER

Two Republicans and a Democrat are taking issue with a recent letter mailed out to Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce members concerning the upcoming race for representative in Missouri's 158th District.

The letter, written by mayor Al Spradling, endorses Republican candidate Jason Crowell.

In response, Democratic candidate Tom Neumeyer and Republican candidates Jay Purcell and Stan Wicks, wrote their own letter to chamber members.

They contend that Spradling's letter violated Article 4 of the Chamber bylaws, concerning political offices.

Article 4 states, in part, that the chamber will take no part in or lend its influence or facilities, either directly or indirectly, to the nomination, election or appointment of any candidate for political office.

The trio object to the fact the letter was mailed with labels purchased from the Chamber, and addressed "Dear Fellow Chamber Member."

"The chamber was blindsided," said Neumeyer. "It was not aware of the situation until the chamber started receiving telephone calls."

"The chamber did not endorse a candidate," said chamber of commerce president John Mehner.

He explained:

"The chamber sells mailing lists of members -- to chamber members -- for $100."

Both Spradling and Crowell are members and entitled to buy the list, said Mehner.

Ditto, Neumeyer, Wicks, and Purcell, who also purchased the mailing list and addressed their own letter to chamber members.

Spradling's letter, which read, "from the desk of A.M. Spradling III," was neither a chamber letter, nor a letter from the city. Spradling didn't use his title as mayor in signing his name.

Neumeyer argued that by addressing the letter to "fellow chamber members," the action "violated our local Chamber of Commerce rules.

"And, we, as candidates and members of the chamber are very disappointed."

The trio defended their own missive by claiming it was a non-partisan letter asking members to consider each candidate on his own merits.

Wicks, Neumeyer and Purcell split the costs of the chamber member list and mailing costs.

"And, we addressed them it the same way," said Purcell, to "Fellow Chamber of Commerce Members."

The banding together of a Democrat and Republican candidates is unprecedented in Cape Girardeau County, Neumeyer said.

"We're sorry to see the mayor using the chamber," said Wicks. "We're disappointed in Spradling, and we're asking voters to look at each of the candidates before making up their minds."

Purcell said they first asked the chamber to send out another letter, explaining that they had not endorsed a candidate.

Mehner met with the executive committee.

"This thing has already been aired by the news media, so the committee didn't see a need to send out a letter," Mehner said.

Mehner did say that the executive committee would delve more into the selling of the list, and its future uses.