Martin Priggel

Martin Priggel spent most of his working career as a farmer. That background served him well when he switched to government.

As presiding commissioner of Scott County for the past eight years, Priggel was known for his decency and diplomacy. Under his leadership the county took on a number of problems that had been lingering.

He and the commission fought publicly with former sheriff Bill Ferrell, but they worked together to pass a sales tax in 2000 to fund construction of a new jail. Priggel guided the $1.3 million renovation of the county courthouse, most of which was paid for by the county itself. The county war memorial also was revamped during his watch.

Priggel's retirement from the commission comes as the county is contemplating the need for a new archive facility, a project that probably will require passage of a half-cent sales tax.

The jail sales tax is due to expire in 2008.

New presiding commissioner Jamie Burger served alongside Priggel and knows the job facing him well. Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn is a former state representative. Gov. Matt Blunt will appoint the third commissioner to fill Burger's former seat.

Priggel raised the level of professionalism in Scott County government and has left the county in good hands.