TOOKE STRESSES GOVERNMENT EXPERTISE IN RUN FOR PRESIDING COMMISSIONER

With 18 years experience in local government, a belief that any tax increases need to be approved by voters, and a record of conservative fiscal management, Howard Tooke believes he is an ideal choice to be the next presiding commissioner of Cape Girardeau County.

"Experience in the only edge I have on the other candidates. We all agree the county is well run and want to keep it that way," said Tooke. "It is hard to define any real issues except whether experience is a good qualification for the job. I think it is. Those who have no experience in local government will go through a period of on-the-job training, which I already have."

Tooke served on the Cape Girardeau City Council from 1968-86, including 13 years as mayor. He did not seek re-election in 1986. He recently retired from M.E. Leming Lumber Co, where he worked since 1946 and served as president from 1957 until last year.

Tooke is one of three Republican candidates running for presiding commissioner in the Aug. 2 primary. Since no Democrat has filed, the winner will succeed Gene Huckstep, who did not seek re-election. Challengers Gerald Jones and Mike Kasten, both of Jackson, have not run for public office before.

"I think a person's past record is a pretty good indication of how they will approach problems," said Tooke, who is running newspaper ads that review his record in city government. Unlike the other candidates who are seeking contributions, using all forms of media and putting signs all over the county, Tooke is more low key in his campaign.

"I am paying my own way and not going to go bankrupt over the race. I am campaigning to an extent that should be needed to inform the public if they are interested in my views," said Tooke. "My basic philosophy is Cape County is a well-rounded county, and the only issue I know of is to keep it that way. That boils down to who is best equipped to do that."

Because he is retired, Tooke said he will be able to devote whatever time is necessary to the job of presiding commissioner.

Tooke wouldn't plan any major changes in the way county government is operated, because it has been well run in the past.

"For me to say I could do a better job would be very precocious on my part," Tooke said. "My goal would be to live up to the standards they set."

The presiding commissioner serves as chief budget officer for the county and Tooke stressed he has the experience to fulfill that role in a way that will keep the county in sound financial condition.

He said the county's capital trust account of about $4 million shouldn't be used for day-to-day operations, but instead for emergencies and capital improvements.

Said Tooke: "I have no plans to embark on a spending spree to deplete that reserve. I don't think it is too high at present. If anything, it should be added to in normal and prosperous times.."

Within the next few years, Cape County will be moving up to 1st class county status. In preparation for that, Tooke said he would review the implications of the transition and what the opportunities would emerge.

Although state law does not allow it presently for counties the size of Cape County, Tooke said it might be good to look into the possibility of having a charter county.

"It is a two-edged sword, because along with home rule goes a lot of responsibility as well as authority," Tooke said. "We would have to measure the benefits against the costs."

Two years ago, voters in Cape County defeated a county zoning ordinance which also repealed the county's master plan for development. Tooke said any action to re-enact the plan should come from the citizens.

"I don't see the county commission taking the lead in that. After all, once people have expressed their opinion on a subject, that should settle it," said Tooke. "I am not a big advocate of countywide zoning. The whole county is not being developed to the point where zoning is necessary."

Tooke said if a proposed recreational lake in Cape and Bollinger Counties is brought back up for discussion, it ultimately will be decided by voters.

"I don't see it re-surfacing in the immediate future, but conditions change over the years," said Tooke. "I am always open to looking at anything good and affordable."

Tooke, 76, is past president of the Missouri Municipal League and was a board member for 17 years. He is serving his 14th year on the board of trustees of Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System. He has served four years as vice chairman and two years as chairman of the group, responsible for investment of over $1 billion worth of assets held in trust for active and retired local government employees in Missouri.

He is past president of the Missouri Forest Products Association and the South Central Hardwood Association. For 20 years he served on the Southeast Hospital board of trustees, including a term as president. He is a member of First Baptist Church, an adult Sunday School class teacher and a member of the American Legion since 1947. Tooke and his wife Frances, who have been married since 1938, have three children and seven grandchildren.

Presiding Commissioner

District: All of Cape Girardeau County.

Duties: Serves as the chief budget officer for county government, is chief administrator of the county, and along with two associate commissioners makes up the county's administrative body.

Term: Two years.

Salary: $25,000.

Candidates: Republicans Howard C. Tooke, Gerald Jones, and Mike Kasten. No Democrats filed. Incumbent Gene E. Huckstep, a Republican, is retiring after 16 years in office.