Mayor speaks at downtown fundraiser for District 2 county commission candidate

As he was introducing Independent county commission candidate Rock Finch at a downtown fundraiser Saturday evening, Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson said he had two reasons why he is supporting the effort begun with a petition drive to put Finch on the ballot.

"No. 1, I want to eradicate the guy that is in there right now," Knudtson said to applause from the gathering of about 30 people.

The second reason, he said, is that Finch has the attributes -- Knudtson listed trustworthiness, loyalty, wisdom and calmness among others -- to do the job well.

Finch, an insurance consultant and broker, is attempting to unseat incumbent Republican Jay Purcell, who is seeking his second term as District 2 commissioner. District 2 voters include most of the people who live within the city limits of Cape Girardeau.

The gathering at Ashley Bailey Custom Cabinets on North Main Street featured cocktails, a baked potato bar and conversation about the upcoming election. Those in attendance, along with Knudtson, included Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones, Republican county committee treasurer Pete Frazier, banker Moe Sandfort, former commissioner Joe Gambill, retired businessman Harry Rediger and county assessor Jerry Reynolds, a Democrat.

Finch has sought to portray his campaign as a foray into public service after years in business. But in a conversation at the fundraiser, he also opened up about what he feels is wrong with the commission right now. The bickering and acrimony between Purcell and Jones, which has spilled over into the courts and includes secret recordings of conversations, has the potential to damage Cape Girardeau's image and drive away new industry, Finch said.

"I am sick and tired of playing the game of 'gotcha,'" he said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126