Cape County Q&A

COUNTY COMMISSION

DISTRICT 2

Why are you qualified for the position?

Bowers: I am qualified for the position of commissioner because of my education and work experience. I have a bachelor of science degree in education with an emphasis in industrial arts and electronics. I taught 17 1/2 years in the Cape Girardeau School District in the industrial arts department and the vocational technical school, teaching electronics. I worked in manufacturing at Marquette Cement Plant for 13 1/2 years and for 12 years at the Florsheim Shoe Factory. I have worked as an industrial electrician and worked part time at Procter & Gamble. I have owned my own small business and have owned some rental property. I feel these experiences have given me a good look at different sides to businesses and what it takes to successfully run them. I am aware of problems that may arise and can work to find solutions to problems.

Purcell: Three-time elected city councilman, experience with large budgets, proven track record of cutting expenses in government, experience in business both as an owner and an employee.

What is your position on the road and bridge tax lawsuit?

Bowers: I am aware that the judgment has been appealed to a higher court. The county commission will have to abide by that court's decision.

Purcell: I believe it would be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing lawsuit. I do believe this issue should be resolved quickly; it would benefit all parties involved.

How would you describe your management style?

Bowers: I am methodical. I like to evaluate decisions so the best service or product can be obtained at a minimal cost without sacrificing quality. I am respectful to people and open to their ideas. I like to look at a problem from all sides, ensuring I understand it fully, before I make my final decision.

Purcell: A directing-delegating style. I believe that our county commissioner must have the ability to assign roles and responsibilities, set standards and define expectations and goals while at the same time giving the employees the trust and respect they deserve to do their jobs without constant supervision.

There has been some talk about getting the Cape Girardeau County-Bollinger County lake project stirred up again. Would you be in favor of putting the issue to a ballot? Why or why not?

Bowers: This project will involve a substantial tax commitment. The residents should be made aware of all the pros and cons of this project. The land owners from the proposed area should be heard from, for it is their livelihood and family properties that are in question. Before I could make a reasonable judgment about a ballot issue, there needs to be some questions answered. How much will the project cost? What are the projected benefits to the counties involved and what is the projected revenue to these counties? There are several places for recreation in our area now and can one more be justified? Will this project create environmental problems? These are questions that need to be answered before I can make a responsible decision about putting this project on a ballot.

Purcell: I would be in favor of putting it to a ballot provided the ground work was laid by exploring the benefit-to-cost ratio of building a lake. If after careful study it could be shown that more dollars would flow into our communities and those dollars over a defined period of time would outweigh the cost, I would support it.

Why are you running for the county commission?

Bowers: As a lifelong resident of Cape Girardeau County, I feel a need to give back to the county that has been a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. I have been fortunate to reap the benefits of living in this county, which has good job opportunities, good educational opportunities and good workers. Cape Girardeau County has been fortunate in electing commissioners in the past who were good stewards of the county funds and also steadily improved the county's infrastructure. I want to do my part in continuing this forward progress. I want to keep Cape Girardeau County No. 1.

Purcell: I believe I have the ability to do the job effectively, and I would like to have a part in making this community more sucessful.

COUNTY COMMISSON

DISTRICT 1

Why are you qualified for the position?

Bock: I feel that I am qualified for this position because of my experience in my agribusiness and by serving on the Cape Girardeau County Commission. I have also gained experience by serving on the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Board, the MoDOT advisory board, Farm Source agency board, the University of Missouri Extension Council and Farm Bureau board.

Wilkinson: This position requires good management and lots of hard work. I have been in business all my life and started at the bottom and have worked very hard to get where I am today. I feel a need for a change in the county government as it is today, and I assure you I can improve it.

What is your opinion on the road and bridge tax lawsuit?

Bock: I feel that the road and bridge tax decision should be made by the Missouri Supreme Court. The legal opinion that the Cape Girardeau County Commission received was that the county did not owe the tax, so I feel that the final decision should be made by the court.

Wilkinson: I feel both parties are at fault and should have been aware of the road and bridge tax being shared with the city. At this point, I feel each party should work out some equal agreement and settle this matter without dragging it through the court and spending a lot of money foolishly. Each group should have known and been aware of this situation, so I feel one is as much to blame as the other. Larry Bock said no to the city's compromise.

How would you describe your management style?

Bock: I try to gain all the information about a situation so that the best decision can be made that is within the funds available.

Wilkinson: Very good. Start the job and finish it. I attribute this to time spent at Wagner Machine while in high school.

There has been some talk about getting the Cape Girardeau County-Bollinger County lake project stirred up again. Would you be in favor of putting the issue to a ballot? Why or why not?

Bock: I feel that the lake issue should be decided by the Cape Girardeau County voters after enough signatures are received to put the issue on the ballot.

Wilkinson: At the very beginning of the lake issue, no one really knew what the lake consisted of. All we knew was that the so-called lake committee wanted to build a lake in this particular area, which was owned by this group of people who had worked very hard to acquire land and homes. All we knew was the lake was to be built and was going to take our homes and farms just to give some folks a place to play. Well, it didn't work and was declared a dead issue. I am keeping an open mind regarding the lake issue at this point.

Why are you running for the county commission?

Bock: I would like to continue to serve the people of Cape Girardeau County in carrying out the long range goals and commitments in local and state transportation needs, in soliciting industry and helping the county to be a better place for our children and grandchildren to live and work.

Wilkinson: I see a change needs to be made in our county government and I am sure I could make that change if elected by working for and with all parties involved and the taxpayers of the county.

CORONER

What qualifies you to be the coroner?

Clifton: The coroner, by statute, is required to investigate certain deaths. My 30 years of investigative experience, specialized training and my experience as deputy coroner qualifies me for the duties of coroner. Additionally, I have been a licensed funeral director in Missouri since 1966, and I have a good understanding of the importance of the relationship the coroner must have with funeral homes and the families of the deceased.

Hurst: I have four years as coroner, 15 years with Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department, 16 years as an emergency medical technician. I graduated from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Basic and Advanced Police Academy; received training with the Department of Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the federal law enforcement training center in Glynco, Ga. I hold certificates in extensive death investigation and coroner training, child fatality and emergency management; St. Louis University School of Medicine masters courses of death investigation and certification as coroner in the state of Missouri. I have the qualifications and experience.

Do you believe the coroner's position should be made full-time? Why or why not?

Clifton: No, it should not be full time, and I have stated this many times during this campaign. The workload simply does not justify having a full-time coroner. I know my opponent has requested the job be made full time and suggested the salary be raised from $20,000 to $47,000. Having been deputy coroner, I know how much work the job requires, and it does not require the 40 to 60 hours per week as my opponent has claimed.

Hurst: The coroner's job is a full-time job with the current caseload. I've already handled over 500 cases for this year. However, it is seen as a part-time job. As the caseload continues to grow and the Missouri statues continue to change, the coroner's job changes and on that basis the job of coroner will have to be re-evaluated in the future.

What type of relationship do you have with the local emergency officials?

Clifton: I have an excellent relationship with local emergency services. Look at my endorsements. I have been endorsed by Sheriff John Jordan, Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle, the Cape Girardeau Police Officers Association, police chief James Humphries of Jackson, retired investigators from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and coroners from Illinois and Missouri. These are professional people who work with the coroner. They know the coroner's job and they also know the candidates. I believe their endorsements speak for themselves. I have not seen one endorsement from any law enforcement agency or other coroner for my opponent.

Hurst: We have a very dedicated group of volunteer and full-time fire department, law enforcement and emergency medical technician personnel in this county. I believe we all work well together. I have the utmost respect for them since I have been in law enforcement and emergency services myself.

What is the most important thing you have learned while campaigning for the position?

Clifton: I have learned the public is very interested in the coroner's office and wants to know exactly what the coroner does. I have also learned most voters are less concerned with political affiliation and are more concerned about qualifications. I believe television programs such as "CSI" have contributed a great deal to the interest the public has in the duties of coroner and medical examiner.The public realizes the coroner of today must be an investigator and not just a keeper of records.

Hurst: That I have a lot of friends and supporters that feel I am doing a good job as coroner and I am thankful these people are willing to help with my campaign and support me in retaining the office as coroner.

What quality is most important for a coroner to have?

Clifton: It would be very difficult to answer this question by stating only one quality. A good coroner must possess several qualities. He should be knowledgeable of the laws pertaining to the coroner's office, he should be a skilled investigator, he should have compassion, integrity and have the ability to work well with other agencies. In concise terms: professionalism and character.

Hurst: Communication --being able to communicate with the family members, doctors, nurses, emergency personnel, funeral home directors and everyone involved in the loss of a loved one.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR

The public administrator position requires compassion for people. How do you show compassion toward less fortunate people and balance that with the reality of being frugal with local tax dollars?

McBride: I believe that compassion for the less fortunate is shown through kindness, patience and the understanding that people have value and deserve to be treated with dignity no matter what their color, economic background or disability. Balancing compassion and the need to conserve tax dollars can only come with good communication. The public administrator must make herself available to everyone involved 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There must be a line of open communication between the public administrator, her clients, the public and family members for compassion to work. But the truth is that most of the money used by these individuals is not discretionary expenditures, and most does not come from local tax dollars. Social Security allotments, nursing home grants and Medicare costs are fixed by others as well as the county budget. In most cases, the administrator does not have much latitude in how to spend the money. In my present employment I work daily with limited budgets appropriated for large needs. So communicating limitations with compassion poses no problems for me.

Schwab: I believe that I am very compassionate toward the people I care for. However, compassion is not always evident in matters of finances. Most of my wards collected Social Security or SSI, so their resources are limited. Federal regulations and Division of Family Services mandate much of the spending. I communicate with my wards about the amount of dollars they receive and explain that I must make sure their bills are paid as in room and board, food and clothing as well as being able to provide an allowance for personal spending. Typically, my wards do not receive local tax dollar assistance. Much of their funding is provided from federal and state tax dollars.

Why are you the best person for the job?

McBride: My business administration degree and years of office management experience give me the time management and office management skills needed to productively run the office of the public administrator. But just as important, my people skills will help to bridge the gaps with family members, friends, caregivers and the individual wards. My training and working with multicultural and diverse populations gives me the experiences and skills needed to deal with each case individually and with sensitivity, thereby producing a solution that is less traumatic for everyone concerned. I have a "team player" attitude that will help to build better working relationships. My legal training will help me to use critical thinking before making hasty decisions.

• Schwab: This position requires much time and compassion. The doors do not close at 5 p.m. I am available by cell phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I must be flexible to meet the needs of my wards and caretakers and I feel that over the past four years, I have proven my flexibility and concern for wards. I genuinely try to do evertying I can. I reassure them that I am available to them and their caretakers when needed and that I care about their feelings.

What is the biggest issue facing the public administrator position at this time and how are you prepared to handle it?

McBride: One big issue that I see is educating the public regarding what the public administrator does. It is not just an office that handles the estates of deceased individuals. The public administrator is first and foremost responsible for the living. Our government established this office as a tool to protect individuals who can no longer care for themselves. But this system can be turned into something that robs people of their freedom, dignity and life savings. I will do everything within my power to make sure that this doesn't happen. I will work to make rules that guard against this, rules that don't exist presently. I will also work with qualified professionals before making decisions regarding the mental stability of an individual. It is my desire to help empower people with the self-determination that will enable them to live productive lives as best they can.

Schwab: The biggest issue for me is to find enough time to complete all of the required paperwork and phone calls necessary to provide proper care for my wards while still having time to spend with my wards. I often attend physician appointments or surgeries with my wards. Every effort is made to attend care-planning meetings. Much time is consumed by paperwork required by the court. There is never enough time to simply visit and talk more often with my wards.

What is your management style?

McBride: Whatever it takes to get the job done for the betterment of an individual is my management style.

Schwab: My management style is simple. I want to be kept notified of details concerning the people I am responsible for as in where they live, what their current diagnosis is, what medications they are taking, who the case manager and/or social worker is, etc. I must keep each wards's file up to date because if a health decision needs to be made, I have current information to start with. I will confer with the doctors and caretakers for my final decision, but without a well-organized system and current information, I would not be able to act on emergency situations as smoothly.

What is the most important thing you have learned while campaigning for the position?

McBride: I've learned that the office of the public administrator is seeking a person with a caring heart, kind disposition and a compassionate spirit. It is also requiring that she have the education, experience and ability that reach above and beyond the call of duty for the betterment of everyone concern.

Schwab: Since I have been in this position and campaigning at the same time, I have become aware of the lack of public knowledge relating to the duties of the public administrator. I make life-changing decisions every day. I have all age groups in my care. Some wards are able to function at a very high level while others are profoundly disabled. I feel very humbled that I've been chosen to fill this very important and humanitarian position. Seeing firsthand how difficult life can be for someone with a handicap or a mental illness gives me a different perspective on quality of life and how precious that life is.

@Graphic - Reverse-bar header:Treasurer

@Graphic - Body:What is your position on the road and bridge tax lawsuit as it relates to the treasurer's office?

Hudson: My understanding is that the road and bridge tax lawsuit hinges on the legal interpretation of Missouri statutes that were so confusing that they were interpreted in different ways by the Missouri attorney general, the county prosecuting attorney, the Jackson city attorney and a private lawyer hired by the county commission. As treasurer, I will follow the law, whoever turns out to be right. I would hope that in the future litigation between local governing bodies could be avoided by approaching issues of this sort with a spirit of mutual respect and willingness to compromise. Lawsuits between governing bodies should be avoided, when possible, since local taxpayers end up footing the costs of litigation for both sides.

Barreca: Other than what has already been done by the present treasurer, nothing further can be done without a mandate from the county commission.

What is the biggest issue facing the treasurer position and how are you prepared to handle it?

Hudson: To restore and revitalize the duties and responsibilities of the treasurer's office by fully accepting these functions and carrying them out to the best of my ability. Prudent use and management of the public's tax dollars should be every public official's priority.

Barreca: The biggest, and most important is to maintain the integrity of the office and adhere to all requirements.

What can you do to improve county government?

Hudson: I intend to lead by example. I hope to inspire the county administration as a whole by putting the county and taxpayers first in everything that I do. I will attend every commission meeting possible and be of assistance in any way I can.

Barreca: Since the treasurer's position is a nonpolicy-making position, little can be done to make changes or improvements.

What can you do to maximize the county's investments?

Hudson: Although Missouri statute limits what can be done with public funds in regard to both safety and liquidity, the treasurer should never stop seeking out new and better models that can provide better returns on the taxpayers' money. I'm sure there are other first-class counties out there with good methods and ideas that may be yielding better returns. You must never stop looking for improvement.

What is the most important thing you have learned while campaigning for the position?

Hudson: I've learned that the residents of Cape Girardeau County are truly the heartbeat and soul of America. I was both humbled and inspired during our door-to-door campaign by how kind we were treated and welcomed at their homes. Despite our intrusion, everyone was so polite, interested, knowledgable and appreciative. Where else can you find people like this? I will be honored to be their next treasurer and work hard for them.

• Barreca: Keeping the position nonpartisan and adhering to the rules prescribed for that office and position.