JOE GAMBILL FILES FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER SEAT AGAIN

JACKSON -- Retired BioKyowa plant manager Joe Gambill filed Friday for Cape Girardeau County Second District commissioner.

The Cape Girardeau Republican's candidacy sets up another election battle with Democrat Max Stovall, the incumbent commissioner.

Gambill defeated Stovall by 39 votes for the county commission seat in 1994. Two years later, Stovall turned the tables, capturing the seat by less than 500 votes.

Gambill said he is ready to run again. "I really just got warmed up to it the last few days," he said.

When Gambill served as commissioner, it was a two-year term. That changed with the 1996 election, with the term becoming four years.

As Second District commissioner, Gambill oversaw the county's buildings and grounds.

Gambill said he wants to return to that position and help oversee continuing improvements such as construction of a new juvenile center.

The new juvenile center will free up space in the Common Pleas Annex that is currently used by juvenile officers, Gambill said.

Gambill said the Annex could provide added space for county offices.

Gambill has lived in Cape Girardeau since 1971.

He and his wife, Rosemary, have five children.

He has been active in industrial recruitment, working with the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association. He also serves on the board of directors of St. Francis Medical Center.

Tuesday is the filing deadline for candidates for the 2000 election.