Candidates in Perry County say job experience important

Perry County will choose its next public administrator Tuesday. The incumbent public administrator Jim Taylor is not seeking re-election. Whoever wins the Republican nomination will win the office; there are no Democratic candidates for the position.

Voters will also choose among county commissioner candidates who will seek final approval in the November general election.

And incumbent Sheriff Gary Schaaf faces some challengers in Tuesday's primary election.

Assessor Larry White and Coroner Herbert E. Miller are unopposed.

Public administrator

Republican candidate Tammy Tarrillion of Biehle, Mo., has worked for 21 years in the Perry County Courthouse, mostly with the county clerk, but has filled in with the treasurer and assessor's offices. Her roots run deep in the county, she said.

Stacy Tucker of Perryville has lived in Perry County only seven years, but she said she has come to regard it as home. Her qualifications include graduate study in public administration.

Candidate Diann Mueller has worked eight years for the Department of Agriculture. Her experience working with the family farm has prepared her for work as public administrator, she said.

Sheriff

Sheriff Gary Schaaf is seeking his fourth term. He said he would like to hire more deputies and pay his employees a better wage, and has been working with the county commissioners to make that happen.

Mike Miller has spent 22 years with the Perryville Police Department and is currently a sergeant. He said his experience as a shift supervisor and supervisor of the city's traffic division qualifies him.

Joseph McAtee could not be reached for comment.

Commissioners

Dennis Lohmann, the incumbent commissioner in the second district, said the biggest issue facing the county as getting a sales tax passed for road improvements. He is seeking his third term as commissioner.

Lonnie Thompson said he has seen the county commission do some things he disagrees with, and wants to have a chance to help the county better manage its money.

Like his brother, James Thompson wants to help the county save money and be accountable to the taxpayers.

Patrick Naeger agrees that the county's biggest problem is its budget, stating that elected leaders need to do more with less.

Alan Frentzel and Carl Leuckel could not be reached for comment.