Purcell files for presiding commissioner

Associate Cape Girardeau County Commissioner Jay Purcell joined the last-minute filers Tuesday when he decided to seek the top job on the commission.

That was one of the major moves as filing for the Aug. 3 primary ballot ended. Another surprise was when two Republicans filed to challenge incumbent Recorder of Deeds Janet Robert, a Democrat who will be seeking her ninth term. Scott Clark and Shelly Lane will vie for the right to challenge Robert.

Most of the last-minute filings in the area took place in Cape Girardeau County. In addition to Purcell, Pat Wissman filed as a Democrat for presiding commissioner in his second bid for a commission seat. In the contest for circuit clerk to replace retiring incumbent Charles Hutson, Jason Holloway filed as a Republican against Hutson's chief deputy, Patti Wibbenmeyer.

In Scott County, former prosecuting attorney Cristy Baker-Neel filed to regain the job she left in 2002. She will challenge incumbent Paul Boyd for the Democratic nomination, the only primary on the Scott County ballot.

Purcell is in the middle of his second term as an associate Cape Girardeau County commissioner. He joined a field of eight candidates seeking to replace Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones, a Republican who is stepping down after 16 years in office. If he loses the Republican primary or the general election, Purcell will have another two years left in his current term.

In a news release, Purcell said he was running to prevent political insiders from controlling county government. "There is no question that my decision to run for Presiding Commissioner will bring the same old personal attacks from those who are threatened by a county commissioner who exposes what they want kept secret, challenges how and why decisions are made and has even suggested that the citizens should consider replacing county elected officials with a charter form of government," he said.

Purcell filed a lawsuit against the commission in 2008, claiming that it violated the state Sunshine Law. The case is pending before the Missouri Supreme Court. Purcell also has fought repeatedly with his fellow commissioners over issues such as county land sales, the road paving program and his secret recording of conversations and closed meetings.

Purcell joins a field with two Democrats, Brian Thomas and Pat Wissman, and five other Republicans, Charles Brawley, Doyle Parmer, state Rep. Clint Tracy, Chris Hutson and Stephen Daume.

Wissman, who lost a 2008 primary for the District 1 commission seat, said he would like to institute video recording of all commission meetings.

"My goal is to unite the people of Cape Girardeau County," Wissman said. "I want to follow through with what has already been started with our commission and come up with better improvements to the system we have."

In the contest for recorder of deeds, Clark, a supervisor with J.C. Penney, said his degrees in public administration and accounting would help him in the office.

He was confident he could defeat a Democrat in the November election.

"Cape Girardeau County is a strong Republican county," Clark said. "The future is changing with technology, and I'm the right person to foster those changes at the county level."

Lane, an executive with Realty Executives of Cape County, said she could provide a youthful excuberance to the office with more energy, efficiency and fresh methods to provide a greater service to the citizens.

"On top of all of that, I feel that a change is necessary to bring about a greater level of fiscal responsibility to the government of Cape Girardeau County," Lane said.

A phone message left with Robert was not returned Tuesday.

The late entrant for circuit clerk, Jason Holloway, is a Cape Girardeau County deputy bailiff. Holloway has been a bailiff for eight years and said he's excited about the opportunity to assume the duties of circuit clerk.

"This is an opportunity to further my experience in the court system," Holloway said.

In Perry County, no additional candidates filed Tuesday, said County Clerk Randy Taylor. Perry County voters will have Republican primaries for presiding commissioner, county treasurer and associate circuit judge.

In Bollinger County, the filings rounded out primaries in the Republican Party for presiding commissioner and circuit clerk. Joe Russell and Travis Elfrink filed to challenge Albert D. Cantrell Sr. for presiding commissioner, with the winner facing Kenny Trentham.

In the circuit clerk's race, the Republican Party will feature a four-way primary. Jeaneal Vandeven, Tina Broshius-Nennnger, Al Zimmer and Lindsey (Davis) Petton are vying for the nomination to face Cindy Yount, the only Democrat seeking the office.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3642

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent addresses:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, Mo.

131 S. Winchester, Benton. MO

321 N. Main St., Perryville, MO

204 High St., Marble Hill, MO