The truth about Jay Purcell

When reading the attack piece "Here are the facts about Jay Purcell" written by Gerald Jones, presiding commissioner of Cape Girardeau County, and published by his friends at the Southeast Missourian, I have to admit I got a little angry and even thought about responding with a piece about Gerald Jones.

After giving it some thought, I wanted to respond in a truthful and respectful way that is befitting of a public servant but also addresses the lie that I do not do my job. Below is a partial list of accomplishments that I have been credited with in whole or in part my first three years in office.

* Settling a divisive lawsuit between Jackson and Cape Girardeau County.

* Creating a county public transportation system without a tax increase.

* Replacing a burdensome road and bridge property tax with a sales tax that allowed our county to address our needs for improved roads and law enforcement.

I think by any standard my first three years in office was productive. As a result, I enjoyed the support of the powerful and elite in this county, including Gerald Jones and Morley Swingle, prosecuting attorney. In fact, during my third year in office Swingle even signed one of his books with the following quote: "To Jay Purcell -- You have fast become one of the best county commissioners I have ever known. Thanks for everything you do! Your friend, Morley Swingle."

What changed?

I spoke truth to power.

The more involved I became in county government, the more convinced I was that things needed to change. I initially tried to advocate for this change slowly so as to avoid conflict, but in return I was threatened repeatedly with a "Shut up if you know what's good for you! If you want to get along go along!" type of attitude.

An example of this type of threat is on an audio recording from Feb. 6, 2008, where Gerald Jones insinuates that he had an inflammatory story buried by his friends at the Southeast Missourian. His actual quote from that day is as follows: "The Missourian is not going to give you a forum any more. Did you notice that Peg's article from Monday's meeting did not appear? They are not your friends. They are out to get your ass."

The Missourian has a copy of this audio, and it is also at www.jaypurcell.com if anyone would like to hear it for themselves.

The truth is I have exposed the arrogant, self-dealing ways of the good old boys, and for that they want to discredit and destroy me with their lies. The untruthful attack on me in this newspaper is not the first, and I assure you it will not be the last. It was Mark Twain who said, "If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed. If you do read the newspaper you are misinformed." In this instance I agree.

Jay Purcell represents the 2nd District on the Cape Girardeau County Commission.