After six years as Cape Girardeau County public administrator, John Ferguson looks toward a different type of public service.

With experience managing plants for more than 30 years, Joe Gambill believes he can use his skills to help manage county government.

After a career in financial management and accounting, David Patterson believes he has the knowledge to keep the county fiscally sound.

The three hope to capture the Republican nomination for Cape County 2nd District associate commissioner Aug. 2. Republican E.C. Younghouse isn't seeking re-election.

Ferguson, Gambill and Patterson agree that the county is stable and each say they have the qualifications to insure it remains so.

Ferguson, who was elected public administrator in 1988 and re-elected in 1992, is the only one who has held public office.

"This is a different part of public service," said Ferguson. "I think the county requires an ultra-conservative man, who can manage his own money and transfer that over to taking care of the county's money. I like the idea of public service and feel like I have been successful as public administrator."

As public administrator, Ferguson is responsible for people declared incapacitated or disabled with no one to care for them. Currently Ferguson cares for 103 people. For many he manages their finances.

"I have had 85 checking accounts that I take care of, and I have to gather resources and am responsible for taking care of their bills," said Ferguson, a Methodist minister. "The dollars as county commissioner are greater, but the responsibility is no greater."

Gambill retired in November as manager of the Biokyowa plant, which he opened in August 1983. He remains a Biokyowa consultant.

Gambill said: "Some people whose opinion I value thought I might be able to contribute something toward keeping the county fiscally sound and on the right track. So I thought I would run."

Gambill said he sees no overriding issues because the county has been well run. "It is something I could help maintain because I have the right background and experience," said Gambill.

Patterson said he has thought about running for the commission before but had no desire to run against his friend, Younghouse. Patterson, 62, retired from former Colonial Federal Savings and Loan in 1989.

Patterson focuses on his background in financial management. "My knowledge of business practices and financial matters really serves me well to be a watchdog for the county," said Patterson. "We have to be careful how we spend county money. It has been done well in the past. We want to see that it continues and that we have a climate that continues to be attractive to industry."

Said Patterson: "I have a more financial background than the others and a degree in accounting. I have spent my life in the financial business and know how to read financial statements. Some people can pickup a financial statement and it is just a bunch of numbers to them; I would not have to be trained in that."

Ferguson said he and his opponents are capable of doing the job, but his experience in office makes a difference. "I do think every elected official has a responsibility to do their job, and we need to adhere to sound financial practices and polices that make everyone in office accountable," he said.

Ferguson said he also has experience managing apartments, which gives him a background in overseeing maintenance of county buildings.

Gambill said his management experience and work in the community are distinguishing characteristics.

"I have had a successful management background, spending over 20 years in town with two major industries," said Gambill. "I have worked in eight different states managing plants during my career, and at times I managed as many as four plants as once. My background indicates I know how to get things done and how to manage money, as well as how to oversee equipment and buildings."

Gambill serves as a representative on the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association, the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority Board of Commissioners, and the Industrial Development Authority.

To keep the county sound financially, Gambill said he would "just follow the blueprint" and try to keep things going as they are. "I would also keep a long range plan in mind for roads and bridges and structures. We have to plan over time to replace facilities. Having a good, long-range plan is essential to that," said Gambill.

Patterson said the commission must ensure that county sales tax revenue continues to increase.

Patterson said he is pleased with the county's financial reserve of $4 million, but having six-months operating reserves should be sufficient. "You want to be prudent with our surplus, but there might be some capital improvement projects we can invest in to benefit the people of Cape County," he said. "We should take a look at those opportunities."

Ferguson said a key to keeping Cape County sound financially is maintaining a strong sales-tax base. "We need to work with the chambers and interested individuals in the county to provide a healthy climate for companies to come and locate here," said Ferguson. "We have a good labor and financial market. It's a heck of a nice place to live."

All three said construction of a recreational lake in Cape and Bollinger counties could be an asset to the region. They said they would support reopening of a study of a lake that ended four years ago after commissioners in Bollinger County refused to put a 1-cent sales tax funding proposal on the ballot.

There has been discussion recently about meeting with Bollinger County officials to revive the lake. The three 2nd District candidates said they would support further discussion of the lake idea.

Gambill moved to Cape Girardeau in 1971 as manager of the former Marquette Cement Co. Last year he was honored by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce with the Rush H. Limbaugh Sr. Award for his volunteer efforts on behalf of the community.

Patterson moved to Cape Girardeau when he was 12. He is a graduate of Cape Girardeau public schools and Southeast Missouri State University, where he earned degrees in accounting and finance. He has been active in community groups, including the Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, Greater Cape Girardeau Development Corp., Cape County Red Cross and the Downtown Rotary Club.

Ferguson moved to Cape Girardeau in 1960 as pastor of Third Street Methodist Church. He has served as pastor of a number of churches in the area and currently is associate pastor of Harmony Congregational Methodist Church near Marble Hill.

Ferguson has been involved with a number of committees of the Missouri Public Administrators Association. He is a member of the Cape Girardeau Ministerial Alliance, chaplain of American Legion Post 63 in Cape Girardeau, district American Legion chaplain, a member of the Cape Girardeau Pilots Club, and the Experimental Aircraft Association at Painton.

2nd District at a glance

District: All of Cape Girardeau except Ward 17.

Duties: Along with two other commissioners, makes up the county's administrative body. Traditionally, the 2nd District commissioner is responsible for overseeing maintenance of county parks and buildings.

Term: Two years.

Salary: $25,000.

Candidates: Republicans John Ferguson, Joe Gambill and David Patterson.

Commissioner: Republican E.C. Younghouse, who is not seeking re-election.