Candidates for commission seat want to boost county's economy

By RUDI KELLER

Southeast Missourian

CAIRO, Ill. -- At various times over the past year, motorists driving through Alexander County could spy a solitary figure walking along the road, sometimes carrying a sign touting his candidacy for county office.

Duane "Street Preacher" Lyon has combined an evangelical zeal and speaking style with politics to promote himself for the county commission seat being vacated by Lewis McRoy. In contrast, his opponent, Republican Mike Caldwell, has shoehorned campaigning in when it did not conflict with his job as a supply supervisor at the state prison in Tamms, Ill.

Lyon won a four-way Democratic primary in March and hasn't slowed down, plastering the county with his homemade campaign signs. Caldwell has sought to counter the onslaught by reminding voters he is a native of the county and by placing his signs at strategic locations.

Lyon has been a polarizing figure in the county, self-publishing attacks on Angela Greenwell, a Republican who won a seat on the county commission in 2004. This year he has apologized and sought to portray himself as someone who can work with political opponents for the good of the county.

Caldwell has refrained from direct attacks on Lyon, but has promised in his campaign flier that he "won't write letters slandering the citizens of Alexander County."

Both agree that Alexander County, one of the poorest in Illinois, needs dramatic economic help to begin a resurgence. The county seat, Cairo, has lost population and business steadily for more than 30 years.

At a recent county commission meeting, Treasurer Frances Lee announced that the county had enough money to cover payroll that week. The county is deep in debt, and creditors, such as the Regional School District, want more than promises.

Caldwell sees a resurgence through attracting industry. "We've got to get jobs in this county in order to grow. The county is broke," he said.

Lyon said the first step toward creating a healthy economy is luring people who want to build homes in the unincorporated areas. He wants to end the county's seven-year push to rejoin the National Flood Insurance Program, which puts severe restrictions on how to build in flood-prone areas.

"We are in an ordinance with all of the restrictions and none of the benefits," Lyon said. "The No. 1 thing to promote growth and grow the tax base is to build houses, pour new driveways and build barns."

After seven years of trying, the county is waiting on federal approval of its application to rejoin the program. If approved, homeowners in unincorporated areas could purchase flood insurance and banks would be more likely to make loans for mortgages.

Lyon said incorporated towns, such as Tamms, Thebes and Cairo, are locations for industry because they are in the flood insurance program.

Caldwell has also called for ending county participation. "I am opposed to the many rules and regulations that will be placed on the taxpayers located in the flood-plain program."

The two candidates also agree on the need for greater public input into commission decisions. Lyon specifically calls for meetings to discuss the flood insurance issues; Caldwell wants the commission to begin meeting later in the day -- all meetings are currently at 9 a.m. -- and to hold regular meetings in county towns to listen to residents' concerns.

If elected, Caldwell will tip the county commission to Republican control for the first time in memory. He sees that as a plus, bringing a fresh look at the activities of the county, but he promises to avoid partisanship.

Lyon said state leaders -- the Illinois statehouse is dominated by Democrats -- would be more likely to listen to a fellow Democrat seeking help. "Who better to work with the majority state officials?" he asked.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126

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Alexander County sheriff

Name: David Barkett

Party: Democrat

Age: 52

Hometown: Cairo, Ill.

Family: Wife, Betty, and three children.

Occupation: President of Barkett Funeral Home.

Experience: Alexander County coroner for last 18 years, chief deputy coroner for eight years prior.

Name: Richard Grapentin

Party: Republican

Age: Unavailable

Hometown: Olive Branch, Ill.

Family: Wife, Beverly, and seven children.

Occupation: Retired.

Experience: Employed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for 25 years.