STOVALL CAMPAIGNS FOR 2ND DISTRICT COMMISSIONER

Longtime Cape Girardeau contractor and businessman Max Stovall has filed as a Democrat for 2nd district associate commissioner.

A lifelong resident of the city, Stovall said he believes that his background and experience is ideal for a seat on the commission.

"I am interested in helping maintain the county's cash reserves that have been developed over the years and want to do all I can to keep Cape County in sound financial condition," said Stovall.

For over 40 years he worked in the construction business with a block and brick company and also developed real estate. He is now retired.

He also served a four-year term on the Cape City Council as public works commissioner.

"I believe my experience qualifies me well to serve in the 2nd district seat," said Stovall. "Cape has been so good to me that I thought maybe I would give a little service back to the people. Because I am retired, I can devote all the time to the job that is required."

E.C. Younghouse, who has been associate commissioner since 1987, is not seeking re-election. Stovall will face two other Democrats in the Aug. 2 primary -- Andy Juden Jr. and Doug Richards.

Three Republicans have filed for the seat: Joe Gambill, John Ferguson and David Patterson.

The 2nd district includes all of the city of Cape except for Ward 17.

Currently, Stovall is president of the Cape Girardeau Senior Citizens Center board, and is serving his 16th year as a member of the Southeast Hospital board of trustees. He is chairman of the building committee.

He is a past president of the Cape Rotary Club, and holds the Paul Harris Fellow designation, which is the highest award Rotary presents.

He is an Army veteran of World War II and participated in the D-Day invasion of France. He is past commander of the American Legion and active with the VFW. He serves on the advisory board of the Cape County Veterans Home.

Stovall attended Southeast Missouri State University, majoring in pre-engineering and business administration.

He and his wife Evelyn have been married 47 years and have two children, Nancy Ross and Mark Stovall. They have three grandchildren.