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Jones: Purcell Web site "ridiculous"Saturday, September 6, 2008
Associate Cape Girardeau County Commissioner Jay Purcell's new Web site, where the audio recording of their four-hour car ride can be heard in full, "is ridiculous," Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones said Saturday. I was interviewing Jones about the quality of communication between the county and Cape Girardeau city government and mentioned the Web site and the recordings to be found there. "You're kidding," was the first thing Jones said. The car ride, from February, was a trip to Jefferson City where Jones was unaware that Purcell was recording him. Jones used salty language to tell Purcell that he was damaging himself with his recent actions. "I cannot trust him for anything anymore," Jones said Saturday. "Why would he do something like that? It also makes him look bad. Believe it or not I was trying to offer some help to the young man. "Some foul language was used, but that was like bar talk and now he is going to play it to the world. Now he is doing everything he can, he is going to try to make me look bad." Purcell's Web site rails against what Purcell terms the "Good Old Boy network." "That is total BS," Jones said. "To start with, there is not a good old boy network except in his mind. We are trying to all do the job we were elected to do. He has disrupted so much it is unbelievable. No other officeholder wants him around." In fact, Jones said, Cape Girardeau County government should be considered a model. "Everyone loves to believe there is a conspiracy or something going on but there is not except in Jay Purcell's mind." "We have got good county government, but my God you would never believe it and people are just disgusted. They want this to end and I do to." "Now he has his own Web site with all that on it," Jones concluded. "That is unbelievable. I am sure the people of Cape Girardeau are smart enough to see through all that. Morley and myself are not over here doing devious things to the public."
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Rudi Keller is a reporter with 19 years experience covering government from city councils to the Missouri Legislature and politics from school board races to statewide political campaigns. A native of Louisville, Ky., Keller has worked at the Southeast Missourian since July 2005.
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This is how amateurs conduct government. I want a charter form of government so the silliness will stop.
TO WHO DOES CAPE GIRARDEAU PRESIDING COMMISSIONER, GERALD JONES, ANSWER? What person, or, group is pulling his strings?
Just My Opinion:
Well, there it is. It is better than in black and white, it is in audio.
On Cape Girardeau County Commissioner, Jay Purcell's website, http://www.jaypurcell.com/..., you can hear Presiding Commissioner Jones, say that he is supposed to "report back to" at about 2 minutes and 5 seconds into the audio. Wow, just how does Presiding Commissioner Jones..."report to"?
For me, that was the final straw. I have placed my vote and support behind Jay Purcell. I don't want Presiding Judge Jones reporting to anyone. I want him to be his own man, to make decisions that are in the benefit of the people, the citizens of Cape Girardeau County, not some shadowy group like the Old Farts Coffee Club, or, the men who meet in lofty places.
You must hear the audio for yourselves. We have a problem in Cape County government. If it weren't for the courage of Jay Purcell in making these recordings, we would go along like happy little sheep, not knowing what was really going on in our government.
Thank you, Jay, for standing up and taking a stand against smoke-filled, backroom politics that only benefit the few who consider themselves the privileged, the ill named, "movers and shakers” in this County.
The only thing that I want shaken up, is that damn Cape County Government. Jay, you are the man for the job. As that great philosophical group, KC and the Sunshine Band, once said.... SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE!
Just My Opinion.
MEN IN LOFTY PLACES, THE OLD FARTS COFFEE CLUB, and, The Souls of Rock Finch & Jay Purcell
In my opinion:
Years ago, when I became politically active was warned about a group of men who pretty much run this town. They dictate their whims to the City Council, and County Commission, and if you want to get ahead in politics, you had better do what they say, or, some say that they can destroy you. These men like a compliant City Council and a very obedient County Commission. Therein is the problem. This shadowy group, comprised of some of Cape Girardeau's most recognized names, pretty much get their way. Jay Purcell is a thorn in their side. Jay isn't going their way. Jay is going his own way, a way of righteousness, and that doesn't sit well with the Old Farts Coffee Club, nor, the men in lofty places.
It is a shadowy group, that about 15 years ago was referred to only as "The Clique." Today, their street name is a reference to the lofty place in which they meet. I use the term lofty in regard to the altitude at which they meet, not as a measurement of the attributes of their ventures.
Ronald Reagan when he campaigned in 1980, railed against such groups as these. Reagan was most concerned about a similar group at the national level, the Council on Foreign Relations. The CFR, a shadowy group, according to Reagan wielded too much influence over national policy. In Cape Girardeau, it is alleged that these groups, the Old Farts Coffee Club, and the men meeting in lofty places Club have, in my opinion, a stranglehold over City and County government.
Some of these men should know better. Some of them are known in their churches as Christians. However, when one human being attempts to use the power that they have to destroy another human being, in this case, Jay Purcell, who would not go along in their alleged nefarious plotting, then one cannot count them as Christians, no matter how loudly they profess it, nor, no matter how much money they spend to gain a favorable judgment of themselves in the community, or, in their church.
Father Malakai Martin, a former Jesuit Priest who was stationed at the Vatican, once told a secular, national radio talk show audience heard here in Cape Girardeau, that God was most interested in how we treated our fellow man; how we inner-acted with one another. Father Martin went on to say, that we should not throw stones in the path of our brothers on their earthly journey to obtain the rewards of Heaven. In other words, we should not do anything to another that may cause them to do something of bad judgment and, therefore, fall from grace. If we have been the catalyst for this person to fall, then that blackens our soul. It is a grave sin. Once we begin to sin in this manner, the sins of greed, power and corruption, each future sin becomes a little easier to commit, and at some point, we become lost. We may have a Guardian Angel, or, some manner of Heavenly guidance, but at some point, the sin in us is so vile, that they may withdraw for awhile because our sinfulness is so revolting to them. Destruction of a human spirit, by casting stones in his path, as has been done to Jay Purcell, is not pleasing to God.
Some of these "club" men are in their later years. Time for them to repent of their sins, to atone, and become worthy of Heaven grows short. Regardless of age, not one of us is certain as to when we will be taken. We all hope to live to very old ages, but we have no control over God's timing for us to be judged.
Therefore, we should ready ourselves and our souls as if our time was this afternoon, or, sometime tomorrow. With each passing day, the time remaining to us for repenting and atonement grows precipitously shorter.
Time grows shorter, as well, each passing day for those who aid and abiet those who wield power in this city and county. Compliant members of the City Council and the County Commission, also, near judgment by God with the coming of each morning sun.
Nothing that which has been promised to you, or, given to you for your compliance, or, silence will accrue to your good. For, one day, this life we have will pass. You will be judged, along with those who courted, or, dictated to you.
I have not seen one funeral procession where there was a U-Haul following the hearse. Meaning, all that you now possess is for naught. You will leave this earth, as you entered...naked, with only your soul.
Rock Finch knows why he is running against Jay Purcell, and I believe that he knows full well what those members of the Old Farts Coffee Club, and the men who meet in lofty places expect of him. I know Rock, and it grieves me that he would throw his lot in with them. I would hope, and do pray that Rock does the right thing, before it is too late for him, and he is caught in their alleged web of power, greed, and deceit.
Those who have cast stones in the path of Jay Purcell, the Lichenteneggers, allegedly in interesting land dealings during the widening of Broadway at West End, and others in this city, for the profit, or, pleasure of themselves, or, "friends" will be judged by God accordingly.
Got Soul?
Just my opinion.
I don't see how anyone in this county can support Gerald Jones anymore. He is truly a dinosaur in public office. He doesn't understand why people would want to know what the county is doing with our money. I support Jay Purcell all the way for trying to bring things to light.
The Jay Purcell conversations with Gerald Jones are now ONLINE!!!!!! You will not believe your ears!
Wow. I was right in my first impression of the conversation between Gerald Jones, and 2nd District Commissioner, Jay Purcell.
I had thought that Jones was telling Purcell to "shut up, you're making a lot of money, don't rock the boat."
At that time, I had only heard a snippet, a short clip of their conversation. I cannot believe what I just heard at http://www.jaypurcell.com/... Play that SHUT UP file. It is incredible.
I just heard something that alarms me even more than Gerald Jones "don't rock the boat" comment. Unbelievable! I am more concerned with Jones saying "I am supposed to report back if you are even agreeable to...." Commissioner Purcell asks Jones..."Who are you supposed to report back to?" Jones, seems to me, suddenly realize that he has said too much, let the cat out of the bag, and he starts hemming and hawing. Just who does Gerald Jones report to? He is the presiding commissioner, isn't he the head cheese? Apparently not. Listen closely to him say..."I'm supposed to report back to.....(?)" Wow, this is amazing stuff. When you hear this conversation, you will know why it was necessary for Commissioner Purcell to record that conversation. It gives us a glimpse of what is really going on in Cape County. It sounds to me that someone else is in the hen house with the chickens. Gerald Jones may be the rooster, but there seems to be someone in the shadows who gives Gerald Jones his marching orders for him and the rest of the chickens are expected to do as the shadowy figure commands. So much for, "We the People," and government BY the people.
Thanks to 2nd District Commissioner Jay Purcell for shining light on the dark, seedy workings of Cape Girardeau County Government.
Four years ago, I worried whether Jay Purcell would be one of those go along, to get along politicians and cave in and be seduced by the good ole boy control over Cape County Government. I would like to apologize to Commissioner Purcell. You will have my respect and my vote in November.
Jay Purcell is grandstanding...having said that, he has exposed Gerald Jones for who he is, an arrogant condescending good 'ole boy.
MandM, you must have had some very bad experiences in your life to think we should be lucky to have Mr. Jones. He is truly a "Boss Hogg"
Cape County over the last 50 years has been an excellent example of county government with good honest office holders, with just a few exceptions. Take a good look at the counties around us. The nature of the beast in county commission business is that they have always conducted business before thier actual public meetings. This was done by phone or one on one meetings as this recorded conversation on the trip was. Cape county citizens should proud to have a PA like Morley Swingle and a commissioner like Jones who have thier best interests at heart. It a shame this has to be played out in the media.
Interesting stuff. Sounds like Jones has some connections over at the Southeast Missourian...
"Notice Peg's column did not appear in Monday's Missourian"...
http://www.jaypurcell.com/...
Good for Mr. Purcell, I look forward to Mr. Jones website for his rebuttal. The site could be bosshogsbullsh*tgonewild.com.
"salty language" and "bar talk" you got to be kidding. I have yet to see an article with ole Gerald "cussing" Jones in it saying something without his mouth running like a sewer.
According to Jones "Morley and myself are not over here doing devious things to the public." Really, what was this article we read the other day about your "good ole pal" buying some land on some obscure county road and then they end up moving to Bollinger county.
I really would like to see one of these parties that are involved in this road easement fiasco have an attorney step up to the plate and put this in court.
After listening to the snipped comments, it seems to me that Gerald Jones is a crusty politician who was attempting to speak Purcell in plain (and tough) language. Jones repeatedly tried to counsel Purcell to try to work for solutions instead of continually stirring the pot. Jones thought he was having a private conversation on a long car ride. This wasn't a church meeting setting. Jones didn't know he was being taped. This whole "car trip taping" affair is stinky, and Purcell shows an amoral side by posting it to the net. Jones' language was pretty salty. Well, Purcell's language had its moments too. And believe it or not, that's how some conversations go.
What was Jones trying to tell Purcell in the "office moving snippet"? Jones told Purcell that his office was his, and he didn't want to move. Is this stunning information? What else would anybody say in Jones' situation, whether in the public or private sector? Has Purcell ever seen a subordinant manager move a senior manager out of his office in the private sector? No. It simply doesn't happen. For Purcell to pursue this line of action tells me that Purcell is either a)deluded with meglomania or b)using this issue to gain cheap political traction. Purcell seems incredulous that Presiding Commissioner Jones didn't want to involuntarily give up his office and be shuffled to another spot. Oh, please.
The voters hired Purcell to be a manager. The toughest conditions make or break that manager. Listen to the tape. Purcell is not trying to move to an eventual consensus. He's honing his skills of demogoguery.
Finally, when you covertly tape someone, you've crossed a moral Rubicon. If you air that tape, it better be explosive. As I've been counseled, that tape better describe the "smoking gun and the dead body", because the person making the tape is going to be labeled as untrustworthy forevermore. There's no "smoking gun" here. Just an old guy and a young guy, talking shop and arguing differences on a long car ride.
Wow, the recordings on that website are pretty amazing. I simply can't understand how Gerald Jones was elected to anything in the first place. Every time I see his name in the news, I cringe.
It's past time for Jones and Bock to go.
No, Mr Jones, the people see through you .