Two more candidates file for public administrator

Make it a baker's dozen. Two more Republicans filed Friday to run for public administrator of Cape Girardeau County, bringing the total to 13 who want to replace the outgoing Phyllis Schwab.

The filers were Phyllis Mayfield, a longtime employee at Heartland Care and Rehab Center, and Stuart Hoeller, who worked in Chrysler's financial division until he was laid off as the company approached bankruptcy. Mayfield is of Jackson and Hoeller lives in Cape Girardeau.

With the filing deadline set for Tuesday, the two join the increasing number of candidates that includes Democrat Mary Cotner and Republicans Mary Ann Friese, Helen Jackson, Kim Kelley, Julie Metzger, Linda Nash, Janet Niedbalski, Lisa Reitzel, Scott Schnurbusch, Tammy Sladek and Debra Tracy.

Two have withdrawn their candidacies since filing began Feb. 28, former educator Larry Shoaf and Kenny Loos, both of Jackson.

The number of candidates so far ties for the most in Cape Girardeau County who have sought the same seat within the last 10 years. In 2008, a county commission race drew 10 Republicans and three Democrats. At least one other person has said she intends to file Tuesday.

Hoeller, 48, grew up in Cape Girardeau, graduating from Southeast Missouri State University with a bachelor's in business administration, with a major in finance and a minor in marketing. Upon graduation, he took a job with the automotive industry, working for Chrysler Credit in St. Louis. For nearly 20 years, he worked for the company in various middle-management positions in Kansas City, Kan., Memphis, Tenn., and Dallas. Most recently, he worked as an outreach coordinator at the Southeast Missouri Food Bank, where he also organized and supervised the operation of the Sikeston food pantry.

In a brief interview Friday, Hoeller says he has the financial background to do the job, which calls for taking care of the county's 150 or so residents that have been declared incompetent for myriad reasons.

Mayfield did not return phone calls Friday and Saturday seeking comment.

smoyers@semissourian.com

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