STATEWIDE CANDIDATES GATHER WITH GOP GROUP

Candidates for three statewide offices were in the city Friday to discuss how their qualifications and experience make them worthy of voter support this August in the Republican primary election.

The candidates attended a meeting sponsored by the Cape County Republican Women's Club.

Five candidates were hand for the forum, one was represented by his wife, and another represented by a local supporter.

Candidates for secretary of state were the most vocal in outlining differences with their opponents.

Clay County Auditor Don Parker said he is different from the two candidates on hand Friday because he is not a member of the Missouri House of Representatives.

"The legislature is not necessarily the place where you develop efficiency in running a government," said Parker, who said his 30 years of business experience provided a good foundation for the political career he began six years ago.

Parker claimed he would reduce the size of staff by attrition from shifting the filing of records with the office from paper reports to filing by computer.

State Rep. Craig Kilby, serving his third term in the House from St. Charles County, suggested the secretary of state "needs to be on the cutting edge of change" because of the office's involvement with businesses, new laws and regulations, and the elections process.

One idea Kilby has is to prepare a brochure with specific and simple steps outlining the process for starting a small business. He suggested similar guidelines could be prepared for explaining other state regulations.

Georgann Hancock, wife of two-term state Rep. John Hancock of St. Louis County, described her husband as a "candidate of vision and ability who will be a tremendous leader for the Republican Party."

She noted that "John's character, ability and leadership qualities are all traits he brings to this campaign."

Parker said his combination of private sector and government experience gives him the unique background to examine government and implement reforms.

The candidate pointed out that only the governor has more employees than the secretary of state, which makes the office a good place to cut personnel and reduce the size of government.

Kilby, who also has a real estate appraisal business, said he has been monitoring reforms made by secretaries of state in other states like Virginia, to see what programs could be implemented here.

Kilby also stressed that the office deals closely with businesses and corporations in the state and needs someone with strong business experience. He noted that he has received a 98 percent rating with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce for his voting record, making him one of 10 House members receiving that high a rating.

Mrs. Hancock noted that her husband had been chosen as chairman of the Policy Development Committee of the Republican Caucus in the House. She added that his strong leadership qualities have been recognized because 40 Republican members of the General Assembly have endorsed him.

Since the office deals with the elections process, she noted that her husband believes "this is the perfect place from which to rebuild public trust and confidence in government."

Another major candidate for secretary of state, Greene County Clerk Richard Struckhoff, did not attend.

Both GOP candidates for attorney general - John Hall, a former assistant U.S. attorney from St. Louis, and David Steelman, a former member of the Missouri House and now an attorney from Rolla - pledged to be aggressive in fighting crime, representing the interests of the citizens, and seeking a solution to the desegregation orders in St. Louis and Kansas City.

Steelman, 39, said he offered "stability and leadership" and stressed the importance of "returning to the values all of us share."

He added, "What we need to do more than anything else in this country is care for each other."

Hall, 34, outlined several of the cases he had prosecuted in the U.S. attorney's office and said it has given him a broad perspective of the human side of crime and the far-reaching impact of social problems such as drug abuse.

Hall said he wants the state criminal justice system to be overhauled to be more like the federal system "where the sentence you get is the sentence you serve."

He said that too often convicted felons are released after serving a small part of their sentences, only to commit other crimes.

Hall said he is also concerned about family values and declared: "The most pressing social problem is what's happening to America's families."

He added, "I will be an advocate for parental responsibility and strong values."

Steelman said the desegregation court orders have made it impossible for the state to invest adequate money in education. He noted that recent Supreme Court rulings have suggested that the state can fight the rulings and win.

State Rep. Mark Holloway of St. Louis County was the candidate running for state treasurer who was present Friday. Christian County Treasurer Gary Melton of Ozark was unable to attend but was represented by Julia Kridelbaugh, a member of the county Republican women's group.

Holloway, serving his first term in the House, said he would expand on the MO-BUCKS program created by current Treasurer Wendell Bailey as a tool for job creation.

"I'm the only candidate on either side that has experience building jobs," said Holloway, pointing out that he has a master's degree in management with an emphasis on job creation and finance.

"I am uniquely qualified to help the next governor of this state create jobs," Holloway said.

Holloway pointed out that he was ranked fourth of all House members by a state taxpayers association, which he said, "makes me a fiscal conservative."

Holloway added that he opposes a statewide health insurance plan, which he noted is advocated by Melton.

Kridelbaugh said that Melton has 25 years experience as an accountant and served two terms as county treasurer, which will enable him "to be a good steward of our tax dollars.

"His experience speaks for itself," added Kridelbaugh.

She pointed out that the treasurer's office is built on trust and observed that Melton is capable of maintaining that trust.

Carol Sparkman, president of the GOP women's group, said the organization plans to have the party's candidates for governor on hand in June.