Finch, Purcell to face off in Cape Girardeau forum

The two candidates for Cape Girardeau County commissioner in District 2 will go head-to-head for the first time Thursday evening at the monthly meeting of the Southeast Missouri Pachyderm Club. Incumbent Republican Jay Purcell and independent challenger Rock Finch will take part in a question-and-answer forum beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday at Dexter Bar-B-Que, 236 S. Broadview. Purcell is seeking his second term in the office he won after being a member of the Cape Girardeau City Council. Finch, an insurance consultant, is seeking office for the first time. The Pachyderm Club is a conservative club affiliated with the Republican Party but president Holly Lintner said all voters are welcome to attend the forum. Club members start gathering at 6 p.m. for dinner and the program starts promptly at 7 p.m., she said.