YES GROUP RAISES THREE TIMES MORE THAN OPPONENTS

JACKSON - The Yes Group, the committee formed to work for passage of riverboat gaming in Cape Girardeau Nov. 2, has raised three times as much money as Citizens Against Riverboat Gambling, the committee formed to oppose the issue.

Proponents of riverboat gaming contend it will be a boost for the downtown area, and apparently merchants are convinced that will be the case. The Downtown Merchants Association is by far the largest single contributor to the campaign, having donated $11,000 on June 15.

According to campaign disclosure reports filed with the county clerk's office Tuesday, the Yes Group has raised $23,991.35 and has spent $23,863.10, with a balance of $128.25 in its account.

The opposing group reported total receipts of $7,232.39, expenditures of $5,984.62, and an account balance of $1,790.99.

State campaign finance disclosure laws require that a campaign report be filed seven days before an election. However, the time period covered by this particular report ended Friday.

Since the last reporting period - 40 days before the election - on Sept. 20, the group supporting riverboat gaming raised $8,166.35 and spent $15,259.63. The opposition group filed a statement of limited activity at that time, indicating it had not spent or received more than $1,000.

Also filing a report Tuesday was Southern Research Corp., of Jackson, Miss., on behalf of The Boyd Group, a Las Vegas-based company that has expressed an interest in having a boat in Cape Girardeau and making a $37.5 million investment downtown.

In the June election, in which the issue was narrowly defeated, the Boyd Group paid all campaign costs, totaling $169,059. On the report for this election the company reported total expenditures of $2,821.01, spending $572 for airfare and $2,249.01 for direct mail to Concord Printing.

Of the money raised by Citizens Against Riverboat Gambling, $3,882 of it came from individuals contributing $100 or less. The committee's two largest contributors were Dr. Richard Martin and Dr. Young Kie Kim, both of Cape Girardeau, who gave $500 each.

Other major contributors from Cape Girardeau were: Gordon Spencer, John Eaton and Jerry Stone, $300 each; Dr. Michael Wulfers and Dr. J.W. Terry, $250 each; the New Vision Church, Bethel Assembly of God and John Wescoat, $200 each; and Steve Strom, $150.

The Corinth General Baptist Church of Puxico contributed $200 to the effort.

The committee's largest expenditure was $2,938, paid to the Southeast Missourian for advertising. The other expenses were related to printing of signs and other materials and postage.

The Yes Group had two $1,000 contributors during the latest reporting period, from VER Leasing and Chrisman Art Gallery and Outfitters, both in Cape Girardeau.

A Riverboat Rally that kicked off the campaign on Sept. 24 had total expenses of $8,535 according to the report. At the rally, attended by 1,534 people, contributions totaled $3,186.

Major contributors for this campaign to the Yes Group include: Ashland Development Corp. $500, Don Lowe of Sikeston, $500, Downtown Investment Co. $500, Port Cape Girardeau Restaurant $350, Ervin's Metalsmith $350, and Jayson Jewelers $350.

Making contributions of $250 each for the Nov. 2 election were: J.F. and Rosemary Gambill, Hecht's Properties of Missouri, Inc., John Boardman, Zickfield's Jewelers, Hecht's, Plaza Tire Service, C.P. McGinty Jewelers, Girardeau Distributors, AMS Affordable Mini Storage, Gary and Christine Helwege, B.G.'s Old Tyme Deli, River Eagle Distributing, Southeast Missouri Home Builders Association, and Joda and Charlotte Bess.

Donald Staples and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles each contributed $200 to the effort.

The Southeast Missouri Builders Association also contributed $2,500 toward the Riverboat Rally.

Except for the rally, most the major expenditures by the Yes Group have been for television and newspaper advertising, printing and postage. Expenditures also include the costs of circulating petitions to have the issue placed on the ballot.

The final campaign report will be due 30 days after the election.