Commissioners face challengers Tuesday

Both Perry and Scott counties will have one county commissioner returned to office by virtue of running unopposed, but there could be new faces on their commissions after Tuesday's elections if incumbents facing challengers are defeated.

In Scott County, Democratic First District Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn is facing no opposition and neither is Republican Second District Commissioner James Sutterer in Perry County. But other commissioner seats in those counties are being contested, with Perry County Republican Donna Ballman challenging Democratic First District Commissioner Patrick Heaps and Republican Will Yates looking to unseat Democratic Second District Commissioner Donnie Kiefer in Scott County.

Perry County

In the Perry County race, incumbent Heaps held the seat he is now defending from 2000 to 2004. He declined to pursue re-election, but he ran again in 2008 and won by more than 600 votes.

Heaps, a retiree who worked 30 years at American National Can, said he felt good about his campaign.

"I think things are running OK," he said. "But I'm definitely taking my opponent seriously."

Heaps said his service to Perry County has created strong voter identification with him, something needed in predominantly Republican Perry County.

"A majority of people look at the person, not the party. Otherwise, it would be tough for a Democrat to get elected in Perry County," Heaps said. "As commissioner, I've developed good relationships with the city of Perryville and the residents out in the county, and I'm happy we've been able to keep Perry County moving forward. It's a struggle to do that in a slow economy."

Heaps said that lower tax revenue has created new economic realities for Perry County, but that it has the second-lowest county unemployment rate in Missouri.

"I'm proud of that," he said. "I'm also proud to see the city of Perryville and the county working together when they can. All things considered, we're doing pretty good."

Heaps added that if he is given a new term, a priority would be to keep sales-tax money in Perry County.

"I'd like to see people spending money locally as often as possible. I know sometimes you can't find everything you need here, but if people shop Perry County first it will increase sales-tax revenue that is needed for projects and services."

On the Republican side, challenger Donna Ballman said that her campaign hasn't faced any difficulties.

"Things are pretty calm and quiet," said Ballman, an employee of the Perry County Transfer Station. "I guess it would be that way since my race with Pat and the sheriff's race are the only contested elections in the county."

As for her chances, Ballman said she wasn't keeping abreast of current trends.

"A lot of people like Pat, and I certainly have no ax to grind against him," she said. "I just think the county could use a breath of fresh air."

Ballman added that if she were elected, her first priority would be to keep the county finances in line.

"I'll get in there and see what needs to be done," she said. "Time will tell us what we need to be doing."

Scott County

In Scott County, incumbent Kiefer said he isn't taking anything for granted in his re-election.

"I'm working hard to do the best I can," Kiefer said. "I treat people the way they should be treated, and I can sleep at night."

Kiefer, a mechanic who owns a repair shop in Chaffee, captured about 65 percent of the vote in his first run for commissioner in 2008.

"I feel good about the race," he said. "I think it's going to turn out OK, but you never know. We'll find out Tuesday."

Kiefer said he has learned a lot during his time as commissioner.

"We've been through some disasters recently. The flood and the ice storms really affected the people of my district and Scott County in general," he said. "We set out to help people the best we could, and I think we did everything we could've done. We were able to hold our own here."

Kiefer also had praise for his colleagues and other county officials.

"I'm working with good people. I'm proud of the relationships I've been able to build while commissioner," he said. "It's important to develop relationships with others that can be beneficial to those you serve."

Scott County, like Perry and other counties across the state, has had to contend with a slow economy and economic constraints. Kiefer said that Scott County will continue to keep its head up.

"We have to deal with a lot of unfunded mandates from the state and also cuts in the state budget that we would've otherwise benefited from," he said. "But the county commission is frugal. We make the right decisions when it comes to the welfare of the county."

Kiefer said that it's been an honor to serve the people of Scott County and that he would again appreciate their vote.

"Anytime people need me," he said, "they know where to find me. My door and telephone are always open to them and always will be."

Repeated attempts to reach Yates, the Republican challenger in Scott County's Second District commissioner's race, were unsuccessful.

klewis@semissourian.com

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