TOOKE TO RUN FOR COUNTY COMMISSION

After an eight-year absence from local government, former Cape Girardeau mayor Howard C. Tooke has decided to seek the Republican nomination for Cape Girardeau County presiding commissioner.

Tooke said the county has been run well under the leadership of retiring Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep, and, if elected, he anticipates no major changes.

Said Tooke: "I don't promise to provide anything better than Gene's performance. That would be very presumptuous on my part. I would continue most of his policies. I do not have a record of promising things you cannot deliver. I think my record is clear on that. I would never have run against Gene Huckstep, but when he said he would not run I decided that I would. He's a hard act to follow."

During his tenure on the city council from 1968-86, which included 13 years as mayor, Tooke had a reputation for being a fiscal conservative, focused on getting good value from city money spent.

As presiding commissioner, Tooke said he would work to maintain the $4 million in cash reserves the county has in its capital trust account. "I have no plans to diminish it," said Tooke. "It's a protection against any emergency that might arise."

As Cape Girardeau mayor, Tooke said no city taxes were raised without a vote of the people.

Tooke is the third Republican to announce his intentions to succeed Huckstep, who is not seeking a fifth four-year term. The other candidates are Mike Kasten, a Jackson businessman and rancher, and Gerald Jones, publisher of the Jackson Cashbook Journal newspaper. No Democrats have announced for the position.

Since 1946, Tooke was employed by M.E. Leming Lumber Co., a hardwood lumber manufacturer. He retired last year after serving as its president since 1957.

He is a partner with his wife, Frances, in South Cape Rentals.

Tooke said he would devote as much time as necessary to the job of presiding commissioner.

"There is nothing in my life at present to distract me from my county duties. I will give my job all the time necessary to make it function effectively, as I always did in city government," he said. "I have extensive experience in local government and know how it works.

"I think I have some of the qualities people desire in this position. Those who know me know what my record is and what my philosophy is: Small government is best, with as few regulations as are absolutely necessary, and hold the line on tax increases."

Tooke left city government in 1986 when he chose not to seek re-election. He served on the board of directors of the Missouri Municipal League for 17 years, and is a past president of the group.

He is a member of the board of trustees of the Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System. He has served on the board 14 years, including six years as vice chairman and two as chairman. During most of those 14 years, he served on the investment committee, which is responsible for investing more than $1 billion being held in trust for active and retired employees of local governments in the state.

He is a past president of the Southeast Missouri Hospital board, and has served on the board 20 years. He is past president of the Missouri Forest Products Association and South Central Hardwood Association.

Tooke has been a member of First Baptist Church since 1929 and is an adult Sunday School teacher. He has been a member of the American Legion since 1947.

Tooke, 76, and his wife have been married since 1938; they have three children and seven grandchildren.

As presiding commissioner, Tooke said his experience in government would enable him to continue cooperation with other entities at the local and state levels.

"I will always have an open door policy," said Tooke, "and will always be available to any of those I am elected to serve.

"Cape County is in better shape than most counties. I am proud of this county and this area because it already exhibits good government. I look forward to working to continue that."