Candidate questionnaire: Trent Summers

NAME: Trent Summers

AGE: 33

PLACE OF BIRTH:

I was born in Columbia Missouri and a month later was brought home to Cape Girardeau by my adoptive parents Bob and Kathy Summers.

SPOUSE, CHILDREN'S NAMES:

Wife - Kara Clark Summers; son - Clark Thomas Summers

OCCUPATION: Marketing Account Executive

EMPLOYER: Red Letter Communications

BUSINESS OWNED, ALL OR PART:

None

PREVIOUS OFFICES HELD OR SOUGHT:

None

DO YOU SUPPORT ALLOWING URBAN DEER HUNTING WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF CAPE GIRARDEAU? IF NOT, WHAT WOULD YOU PROPOSE TO MANAGE A HERD THAT SOME SAY IS GROWING TOO RAPIDLY?

This is an issue that brings out strong and passionate responses from people on both sides. Deer are beautiful creatures and there is something about them that evokes a connection to our nation's settlement history and the wild spirit in our beings as Americans. I believe that people on both sides of this issue genuinely appreciate the beauty of deer and want to see them thrive in Southeast Missouri.

In 1937, a group of forward-thinking Missourians decided that the management of the state's precious fish and wildlife resources was too important an issue to be left susceptible to the political machinations of state government and worked to use the initiative petition process to form the Missouri Department of Conservation. Since then, critical and sometimes controversial decisions regarding wildlife management have been entrusted to the scientists and staff of the MDC. Missouri is often heralded nationally for their Conservation model.

For some time now, MDC has approved managed urban deer hunting with bow and arrow as a safe and effective way to manage expanding deer herds in municipal areas. Many communities throughout the state have incorporated urban hunting programs with success. These managed and regulated urban hunts have not had a negative impact on public safety and are helping to effectively manage expanding urban herds. As a result, so long as the proper precautions are taken to ensure public safety and protect the rights of private property owners, I will support allowing the harvesting of deer with bow and arrow within the city limits of Cape Girardeau.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE CITY'S ULTIMATE DECISION TO ELIMINATE PARKING ON BROADWAY TO MAKE WAY FOR A PEDESTRIAN PROMENADE? DO YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH THE WAY IT WAS HANDLED BY CITY OFFICIALS?

I think the redevelopment of Downtown and the Broadway corridor have tremendous potential to recreate our historic downtown as a commercial and recreational destination for this region. This unique area is a real treasure to our community and any redevelopment should be carefully planned with as much consideration given to the impacts any new design and construction will have on local businesses and the experience of visitors to the area.

I know that city officials worked to gather input from the community and businesses impacted by the redevelopment. I feel that they are largely proceeding in the right direction on this project, but believe that it is a simple matter of common sense that Downtown and Broadway redevelopment will not be successful without an effective plan to provide for adequate, accessible and convenient parking that does not impede traffic to the Downtown and Broadway merchants. This plan for parking and traffic flow should be a prominent part of the initial design of the project and not an afterthought.

DO YOU HAVE CONCERNS, AS YOUR PREDECESSOR DID, ABOUT WHAT THE OPENING OF ISLE OF CAPRI'S NEW CAPE GIRARDEAU CASINO WILL MEAN TO THE COMMUNITY?

Although my wife and I very rarely gamble, I helped lead the effort to bring the Isle of Capri casino to Cape Girardeau. In spite of the fact that there were some people with very strong feelings against gambling and a Cape Girardeau casino, I believed (and still do) that this was a significant growth opportunity for the city. The potential to create a dynamic catalyst to spur Downtown redevelopment, expand job opportunities both short term and long term, increase tourism traffic, and enhance revenue opportunities for many local businesses and the City, in my mind were all very compelling reasons to support this project.

I knew when I agreed to work on the YES For Gaming campaign, there would be some gambling opponents who would associate me with this project and hold the issue against me. There are likely people who will not vote for me in this election because of my work in bringing the casino to Cape Girardeau. In politics and governing, there are times when difficult decisions are required and difficult positions must be taken in order to grow. I believe one aspect of truly effective leadership is the ability to pursue difficult or sometimes polarizing positions regardless of what impact doing so might have in the area of public opinion. So many of our current national political and governmental problems stem from the inability of our elected representatives to make hard choices and do the right thing regardless of political fallout. I have a proven record of making tough choices and standing up for what I believe will bring more opportunities for jobs and economic growth in our community.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MOST PRESSING NEED IN YOUR WARD?

I believe the most pressing issue in our City, State and Nation is the condition of our economy and the availability of quality jobs for our workforce. It is my opinion that, at all levels of government, we should be especially cognizant of this in all policy decisions. Government at all levels should be focused on reducing or removing impediments to job growth and freeing the potential of the American workforce to excel.

A specific local issue that I believe will be a substantial discussion throughout the community in the coming years is the potential phase out of the Capital Improvement Portion of the Fire Safety Sales Tax and the need for improvement in Police Department infrastructure.

Although at this time I am not settled on the most appropriate course of action on these two issues, it is my strong belief that the ability of our public safety forces to meet the needs of the public effectively is one of the cornerstones of a strong and growing community. Making sure the men and women who ensure our public safety have the resources to do their jobs is, in my opinion, one of the most appropriate uses of yours and my taxpayer dollars.

The third ward is the heart of Cape Girardeau. From residential areas, schools and parks to a hospital and retail center there is a diverse variety of residents and activity. Along with this activity comes the general needs and issues that are associated with living in a municipal community. Whether its street repair, sidewalk access, public utility service, traffic congestion, public transportation, or a host of other needs, if elected, I will be accessible and responsive to the civic needs and concerns of the residents of the third ward.