CHOI AND SMITH FACE OFF FOR COMMISSION

With the Aug. 4 primary drawing close, two Democratic candidates vying for second district associate commissioner in Cape Girardeau County have been maintaining a low profile.

Seeking the nomination of their party are Peter N. Choi, owner of the Golden Dragon restaurant, and Lanny Smith, former health officer for the city of Cape who now works in construction.

The winner will face Republican E.C. Younghouse, who is not opposed for a new two-year term in the primary.

The second district includes all of the city of Cape Girardeau, except for Ward 17. The commissioner from this district normally oversees buildings and the county parks for the commission.

This is Smith's first bid for public office; Choi was elected to the city council in Casper, Wyoming in 1986. He moved to Cape Girardeau four years ago.

Smith was born and raised in Oran, but has spent most of his adult life in Cape Girardeau.

"I have been in public service working for the city, county or state since 1963 and look forward to this opportunity to serve," said Smith. For 13 years he was the administrator of the city's d epartment of health.

He has also served as a police officer, deputy sheriff, and as a construction inspector for the state highway department. He is a registered professional sanitarian through the state of Missouri. His community activities include membership in St. Vincents Church and 12 years as a coach in the Cape Youth Baseball League.

Choi, who moved to this country about 20 years ago from Hong Kong, said he is running for the county commission to give him a base for helping to improve foreign trade opportunities in the county. Besides his restaurant, Choi is president of Hong Kong International Trade based in Denver, which has a sales office in Cape.

"I don't see any activity in this county for foreign trade," said Choi. "I think I would be capable of getting the commission to set something up here, using the Scott City port, and export to foreign countries - especially to the Far East."

Choi said he wants to work with the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority to establish a foreign trade zone and custom house at the port. In addition, he is proposing a "sister city" relationship with a city in China and wants to arrange for exchange visits.

"We can turn around the economy. I'm concerned about economic development and willing to do the job. I want to act and not just talk about it," stressed Choi.

Since 1984, Choi has been in the trade business. While on the city council in Casper, he established a sister city relationship with Taiwan.

Choi points out that many of the farm products of Southeast Missouri, plastic packaging and fertilizers produced in this area are good export items. Because of the port authority, products can be shipped directly to the Far East, he noted.

"If I am elected, I hope to help the community establish a bridge between our area and foreign countries," said Choi. "I would be in an official position to encourage more businesses to go overseas and officials there to do business here.

"I'm the one who knows businesses in foreign countries, and I have close ties with the economic development board in Jefferson City and the port authority."

Smith said his background qualifies him for the responsibilities assigned to the second district commissioner and will help him to be a good administrator to keep the county on solid financial footing.

"As one of three administrators of the county, it is a very important job," explained Smith. "I want to see that the affairs of Cape County are run properly."

Choi said if county budget cuts became necessary, he would look at overall spending but not cut personnel. "I want to improve roads and services as much as possible, but we need to keep the jobs," he said.

Choi said although he may not be well known, he hopes people will look at his qualifications to serve the county as a commissioner.

"If I can't do the job, I will quit," he remarked.