BOCK WILL RUN FOR SECOND TERM AS ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER IN COUNTY

JACKSON - Cape Girardeau County First District Associate Commissioner Larry Bock said Tuesday that he will seek re-election this year.

In making the announcement, Bock stressed that he had followed through on campaign promises to promote economic development, promote cooperation, move toward long range planning for roads and bridges, and to be open minded to the needs of citizens.

"Over the last two years, I have created a citizen committee to address our road and bridge needs, I have asked representatives from other communities to be part of our county's planning process, and have been appointed to the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association," said Bock.

"I have an open door policy and have encouraged citizen involvement in our county's government. I want to continue to represent the people of my district and the county in completing the goals I have set forth."

The 1st district includes Jackson, the outcounty area, and Ward 17 in the city of Cape Girardeau. It has been the responsibility of the 1st district commissioner to oversee the highway department for the three member county commission.

Bock, a Republican, was first elected in 1992. Filing for county offices does not begin until Feb. 22, and it ends on March 29.

Bock said he was pleased that during his first term he was able to create a citizen committee for planning long range road and bridge improvements.

Said Bock: "We included people from the different rural areas and communities throughout the county and invited representatives from the different city governments to participate in the process. Through the work of these many committed individuals, we were able to accomplish prioritizing bridge replacement and construction, recommend changes in our road policies, and evaluate the safety of our county's bridges. These recommended changes were presented to the county commission and accepted. The changes will result in better planning, clearer policies and a more efficient county road system."

In future years, Bock said he hopes to implement a capital planning process for roads and bridges. This plan would make the public aware of what projects are scheduled, when they will be completed, and the approximate cost and source of funds.

He also believes that such a plan should include projects that are considered priorities, but not funded, and could be done if additional money became available. The capital plan would need public input and annual updates, Bock said.

With his recent appointment as one of two Cape County representatives on the Cape Area Industrial Recruitment Association, Bock stressed he is in position to help bring good jobs to the area.

"Our greatest priority must be to provide good paying jobs in this county for our children and grandchildren," Bock said. "I plan to be an active and supportive member of the industrial recruitment association and will use all my resources to help recruit good, solid industries and businesses into the area."

Bock also represents the county commission on the University of Missouri Extension Council.

Bock has farmed near Gordonville for 34 years and has been involved in agri-business sales for over 20 years. He and his wife Shirley have seven children: Mark Bock, Julie Leadbetter, Lee Bock, Patti Beussink, Cindy Bock, Jeff Schaefer, and Kevin Schaefer. They have 10 grandchildren.

A longtime member of Farm Bureau, Bock has served as a board member, president, vice president and treasurer. In 1989 he was appointed to the President's Advisory Council of the University of Missouri Extension Service, and he has served on the church council of Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson.

He has also served as chairman of the township and county committee of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, and as a member of the state ASCS committee. He was appointed to the state committee by Secretary of Agriculture John Block in 1983 and 1984 and in 1988 and 1989 by Agriculture Secretary Richard Lyng.