Cape County collector candidates seek to upgrade office

Cape Girardeau County collector candidates Barbara Gholson and Carrie Michelle Robert want to upgrade the tax-collecting office.

Both women said they want to make greater use of technology if elected to the $78,000-a-year job.

Barbara Gholson

Republican candidate Gholson, a deputy collector for the county, said, if elected, she would work with state government �to get our tax files online so that the license bureaus would be able to find paid tax receipts or citizens of the county could renew their licenses online.�

Gholson said she also wants to set up an online database for taxpayers, banks, title companies and others to print tax receipts and look up tax amounts.

�This would save phone calls and emails for individuals and companies and would allow more efficiencies in the office,� she said.

Carrie Michelle Robert

Democratic candidate Robert, a tax purchasing agent for a company that deals with current and delinquent taxes in Illinois, said, if elected, she would focus on upgrading the technology in the collector�s office with an emphasis on establishing �an informative and resourceful website.�

Robert, the daughter of former county recorder of deeds Janet Robert, said such a website �is important so residents of this county can choose to easily obtain needed information electronically, thus saving taxpayer money.�

She said she also would advocate for biannual payment plans to ease the burden on taxpayers.

�These changes would bring a positive financial savings to both the citizens and the county,� Robert said.

The winner of the Nov. 6 general election will replace retiring collector Diane Diebold, who has served as county collector for nearly two decades.

Both candidates outlined their views in emailed responses to a Southeast Missourian candidates� questionnaire.

Both Gholson and Robert live in Jackson.

Gholson has 20 years of experience in the collector�s office. She was hired by the late Harold Kuehle in 1998 when he was collector. Diebold took over following Kuehle�s retirement in 1999.

The Republican candidate cited her �experience, knowledge, dependability, integrity� as reasons voters should elect her.

Gholson said she understands how each of the other county offices �work together in reporting, verifying and maintaining accountability.�

Robert said she has 16 years of experience �working with collectors and other elected office holders in 40-plus counties� in Illinois.

�I am knowledgeable in how to grow our community by upgrading our current office,� she said. Robert added she has used various software programs that can improve �the efficiency and effectiveness of the office.�

Gholson defended the decision to move the county collector�s satellite office in Cape Girardeau from its downtown location in the Common Pleas Courthouse Annex to office space at 2311 Bloomfield St.

�I do not believe the relocation of the Cape Girardeau office will be a hardship to the citizens,� she said. �The new location is close to a major thoroughfare and is closer to the Cape license bureau.�

Robert said she hopes the move will prove more convenient for taxpayers.

�Only time will tell if it was a good decision,� she said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641