DAVID PATTERSON FILES FOR ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER

JACKSON - With the filing Thursday of David Patterson, a three-way race has now developed in the Aug. 2 Republican primary for Cape Girardeau County 2nd district associate commissioner.

A retired financial executive, Patterson said his primary goal if elected would be to work with the other commissioners to continue the financial policies established by Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep and his associates.

Patterson pointed out that those policies "have produced a condition of excellent financial integrity for our county. Tax rates must continue to be kept as low as possible, commensurate with providing all required and needed services."

E.C. Younghouse, who has been the 2nd district commissioner since 1987, announced recently that he would not seek another term.

In the Republican primary, Patterson will face Joe Gambill, a retired plant manager, and John Ferguson, who is in the middle of his second term as Cape County public administrator. The one Democrat in the race so far is Andy Juden, Jr.

Candidates have until March 29 to file for offices on the ballot in 1994.

Patterson promised if elected to work toward creating a climate that will attract jobs and keep the county growing and prospering.

Said Patterson: "I have noted, over the years, that Cape County has always had a lower unemployment rate than the state of Missouri as a whole. However, we must always maintain a climate for the attraction of jobs -- good jobs. I pledge myself toward that end."

Patterson, 62, has lived in Cape Girardeau for 50 years and is a product of Cape public schools and a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in accounting and economics.

He is also a veteran, having served four years in the Air Force during the Korean War.

He is a past president of several community organizations, including the Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, Greater Cape Girardeau Development Corp., the Cape County Red Cross Chapter, and the Downtown Rotary Club.

In 1989, he retired from Colonial Federal Savings in Cape Girardeau.