SIGN OF TIMES: CAPE COUNTY CANDIDATES FILE 40-DAY REPORTS

JACKSON -- From the wide display of political signs scattered across the landscape of Cape Girardeau County, it should come as no surprise that the biggest expenditure for most candidates so far has been the costs of printing and painting campaign signs.

The amounts candidates spent, according to campaign reports on file with the county clerk's office for 40 days before the Aug. 2 primary, varies considerably. In most cases, expenses were tied to the level of competition they faced, if any, in the primary.

As of Monday afternoon the clerk's office reported that two county candidates had not filed their 40 day reports, or initial campaign committee organizational reports that were due on April 20.

Failing to file were Max Stovall, a Democratic candidate for 2nd district associate commissioner, and John Ferguson, a Republican candidate for the 2nd district post.

Reports must also be filed 30 days after the election. The primary and general elections are treated separately.

Candidates who plan to spend and raise $1,000 or less can file a "limited activity report." Candidates who are not opposed generally file these reports.

State campaign finance disclosure laws also require candidates to report individuals who contributed more than $100 to their campaigns.

Circuit Judge John Grimm raised the most of all candidates on the ballot this year, according to the 40 day reports, showing total receipts of about $21,000, expenditures of $4,465 and cash on hand of $14,185.

Grimm's largest contribution was an in-kind donation of $1,862 from Tricia LaFoe of Cape Girardeau, who hosted a fundraiser. Grimm also shows he made a $2,000 loan to the campaign.

Grimm's challenger, Benjamin F. Lewis, currently the Division III associate circuit judge, showed a campaign account balance of $1,175.

Other contributors listed for Grimm were: Robert A. Grimm of Los Altos, Calif., $1,000; Jeff Maguire $500; Ann Brinkopf, a $290 in-kind donation and $200 cash contribution; Rebecca Cook, Bettie Talbert, Al Lowes, John Tlapek, and Mary Wulfers $250 each; Ann Ritter $220; Wayne Hoover and Mark Grimm of St. Louis, $200 each; Joan Asher of Jackson $160; Jacklyn Clark and Magnetic Collectibles $130 each; Tim Gilmore of Sikeston $110; and Dwight Johnson of Jackson, the L. Edgar Massey Trust, Don Ray of Joplin, and Mike Smyth of Louisville, Ky., $100 each.

Lewis contributed $1,300 to his campaign account, and also received $225 from John Thompson of Jackson, and $150 from Mary Westrich.

Grimm and Lewis are running in the 32nd district which includes Cape, Bollinger and Perry Counties.

Two of the three Republican presiding commissioner candidates have reported heavy fundraising activity so far.

Mike Kasten reported receipts of about $14,000, expenses of $8,705, and an account balance of $5,240. Gerald Jones showed receipts of $15,110, expenses of $7,330 and a balance of $7,779.

The other GOP candidate for presiding commissioner, Howard Tooke, listed receipts of $1,500, expenditures of $804, and a balance of $696. Unlike Kasten and Jones who have been actively seeking campaign donations, Tooke has provided all of his campaign funds from personal money.

The bulk of Kasten's campaign contributions came from a June 18 fundraiser attended by 250 people and hosted by Don and Tom Zimmer. According to the disclosure report, $8,020 was raised and costs of the event were $2,096.

Kasten also has made $4,600 in loans to the campaign. Kasten's report shows contributions of $500 from Mark Kasten and a $500 in-kind contribution from 4-M Ranch of Millersville.

Jones has raised a large part of his funds from two events. A May 14 reception hosted by John and Ellen Lorberg drew 100 people and raised $5,070. Expenses of the event came to $697. A second fundraiser, hosted by T. Wayne and Linda Lewis, attracted 150 people and raised $4,775. Expenses of the event came to $411.

Jones' report shows loans of $2,500, with $2,000 of that coming from a loan at Capital Bank. Jones lists $500 contributions from Jerry Stone of Cape Girardeau, Edgar Jones of Jackson, and Brugger-McDowell, Inc. of Jackson.

In the Republican primary for Division IV associate circuit judge, Allen Moss Jr. and his wife Kathryn have contributed $11,310 of the $13,682 he has raised thusfar. Moss lists total expenses of $13,032 and a balance of $650 in his account.

Moss hosted a family picnic in May for supporters, which cost $1,290 and raised $752 from passing the hat.

Other contributors listed on Moss' report are $250 from Tom and Karen Mogelnicki and $200 from Gene and Betty Huckstep.

Jeff Dix, who is running against Moss, reports receipts of $5,146, expenses of $3,058, and $1,691 in his account. Dix has loaned his campaign $3,000.

The one contribution reported is $250 from Al Lowes, a Cape Girardeau attorney.

The Democratic candidate, Peter Statler, has filed a limited activity report.

In the Democratic primary for 2nd district associate commissioner, Andy Juden Jr. has filed a regular 40-day report in his race against Stovall.

Juden lists receipts of $3,001, expenses of $1,178 and cash on hand of $1,879.

Contributors to Juden include: Dennis Stockard $1,000; DeJoys of Shoneys $500; Craftsman Independent Union $400; Nip Kelley Equipment Co. $250; Kelley Transportation $250; D.L. Harrison $250; and Jill J. Pigott of Seattle, Wash., $200.

In the Republican primary for 2nd district, Joe Gambill and David Patterson have filed limited activity reports. The third candidate in that race is Ferguson.

For 1st district associate commissioner, both Republican candidates -- incumbent Larry Bock and Fred Wilkinson -- have filed limited activity reports. The Democratic candidate, Jack Piepenbrok, filed a report showing receipts of $510, expenses of $204 and an account balance of $305.

In the Republican primary contest for recorder of Deeds, Darlene Bonney of Jackson, holds an edge in fundraisng over her opponent, Cheryl Stoffregen of Cape Girardeau.

Bonney has raised $3,715 and spent $3,280. Of the amount she has spent, $3,127 has been used to pay for signs. Bonney reported a contribution of $100 from John Lichtenegger and personal loans to the campaign of $3,500.

Stoffregen has raised $932 and spent $801. Her funds include a $300 loan from her husband, Frank, and a $225 contribution from P&S Development of Cape.

The current recorder of deeds, Democrat Janet Robert, showed receipts of $1,375, which includes $950 in personal loans to the campaign. So far she has spent only $50.

In the race for Division III associate circuit judge, Republican Gary Kamp has raised nearly $1,000 more than his Democratic opponent Gary Robbins.

Kamp shows receipts of $3,475, with $2,500 of that coming from a personal loan, expenditures of $848, and a balance of $2,626. Larger contributions include $250 from the Johnson and Montgomery law firm, $200 from Leo Rozier of Perryville, and a $125 in-kind contribution from Ron McCormick of Glen Allen.

County Clerk Rodney Miller filed a report showing receipts of $1,025 and expenses of $234 so far. His one listed contributor was Jerry Stone of Cape Girardeau, $500.

Laura Beggs, his Republican challenger, filed a limited activity statement.

State Rep. Mary Kasten, in the 158th district, filed a report showing $676 in her campaign account. Kasten listed contributions from: League of Savings Institutions of Jefferson City, $200; Pharmacy PAC $125; and Kyle Brost, J.T. Hall and the Missouri Auto Dealers, $100 each.

Melinda Benton McCulley, Kasten's Democratic opponent, filed a limited activity report.

All county officeholders running unopposed this year, have filed limited activity statements.