Candidate questionnaire: Maurice 'Moe' Sandfort

NAME: Maurice (Moe) Sandfort

AGE: 68

PLACE OF BIRTH: St. Charles, MO

SPOUSE, CHILDREN'S NAMES:

Patricia Spouse; Children--Jennifer, Jill, Stephen, Julie, Lynn, Jason

OCCUPATION:

Retired Comunity Bank President

EDUCATION:

University of Missouri-St. Louis BA/Business;

Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University, Gradute Degree

EMPLOYER: Retired

BUSINESSES OWNED, ALL OR PART: N/A

PUBLIC OFFICES HELD OR SOUGHT; GIVE DATES:

First time candidate for public office

WEBSITE: www.moesandfort.com

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CHALLENGES FACING CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY?

Business expansion to grow the work force for our residents which takes business leadership to present a solid unified position by the County Commission. Reaching out to assist the prospects with up to date information on work force, labor cost, available space. This can best be done with elected officials that have experience in communicating with senior managers of prospecive companies. Second determine the best course of action for the expansion of the jail/court house.

HOW WOULD YOU ENSURE THE COUNTY STAYS FISCALLY STABLE?

It is very important to plan a "rolling" three year financial expectations using history as a guide with forecasting that projects future cash flows. I have a background in financial forecasting, planning, and cash flow analysis which will be a benefit to our financial planning. I believe in lower taxes and less govenment intervention where ever possible. Private enterprise needs the least amount of government controls to perform at the most efficient level.

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY RECENTLY LOST A BUSINESS TO A NEIGHBORING COUNTY BECAUSE THAT BUSINESS SAID IT COULDN'T FIND ENOUGH LAND HERE. WHAT CAN THE COUNTY DO TO ENSURE WE CAN ACCOMMODATE INDUSTRY ALREADY HERE, AND THOSE CONSIDERING COMING HERE?

Within the boundaries established by law, work with the public entities within Cape Girardeau County and our neighboring communities to establish a plan that can be beneficial to our growth in quality jobs. We should be a catalyst working with regional planners, State ED, and our local economic development agency, MAGNET, to ensure we are connected to companies interested in coming to Souteast Missouri. My work experience provides a solid background to pursue these prospects.

CLOSING REMARKS:

I met my wife while attending SEMO from 1961-1963. In 1983 we chose to move to Cape with my banking career. The career path brought me to another Missouri community and at the end of 2004, we chose to move back to the area we enjoyed. At retirement, we chose to stay here. I want to make that decision the best it can be by representing Cape City on the County Commission.