GAMBILL, BOCK GETS VOTERS' APPROVAL

JACKSON -- Joe Gambill captured a seat on the Cape Girardeau County Commission by a 39-vote margin, while incumbent Larry Bock won a new term by a 2,074-vote margin Tuesday.

Gambill, a Republican running for the 2nd District associate commissioner position, edged Democrat Max Stovall in a race that was close all night with both candidates holding the lead on several occasions.

The 2nd District seat is being vacated by Republican E.C. Younghouse, who didn't seek re-election. The district includes all of Cape Girardeau except for Ward 17.

Gambill, a retired plant manager, outpolled Stovall 5,764-5,725.

In the 1st District, Bock sailed to a second term over Democrat Jack Piepenbrok, 7,149-5,075.

Bock said he viewed his overwhelming victory as an indication people in the district are satisfied with the job he has done the last two years.

"I think people appreciated what I am doing and supported me on it," Bock said. "I try to respond to their views well.

"I think people like what I have done and want to see it continue in the future," he said.

Besides Gambill, the other new member of the county commission next year will be Gerald Jones, who wasn't opposed in the general election. Jones captured the office in August by winning a three-way Republican primary.

Republican Gene Huckstep, who served as presiding commissioner for the past 16 years, didn't run for another term.