Construction, maintenance top Farrow's list of changes for county

On Wednesday morning Thomas Farrow found out he will run against his cousin if he wins the August primary for presiding commissioner of Cape Girardeau County.

Both Thomas and Vincent Farrow filed on Tuesday, the last day to file for a county office. Thomas Farrow filed as a Republican and Victor Farrow filed as a Democrat. Incumbent Gerald Jones filed in February as a Republican candidate for presiding commissioner.

"I had no idea he was running, but it's a free country," Thomas Farrow said about his cousin.

Victor Farrow assumed Thomas Farrow would run as a Democrat.

"I was raised in a Democratic family but that doesn't mean I still am," Thomas Farrow said.

A retired member of the National Guard and a part-time farmer, Thomas Farrow said this is the first time he's ran for a political office.

Improving county roads would be top priority to the rural Cape Girardeau County resident if he's elected presiding commissioner.

"I feel there are some that are unsafe in certain areas," Thomas Farrow said. "Some of the culverts are too short and I'm concerned about the school buses that have to travel on them. I'm sure they are doing a fair job on the roads, but I believe there is room for improvement."

Construction and maintenance along county roads in Cape Girardeau County is funded largely by the County Aid Road Trust (CART) Fund. The CART Fund is a portion of the revenue brought in by the state's gas tax, motor vehicle sales/use tax and vehicle fees.

This year the county expects to receive approximately $694,000 from the CART Fund.

Paving a road in the county costs more than $70,000 per mile, said Scott Bechtold, Cape Girardeau County Highway Department engineer. The county is responsible for approximately 500 miles of roads. The highway department has funding to pave approximately 5 miles of road per year.

"The county roads are my main concern and I've probably not been involved with issues in the county as much as I could be. If I'm elected, I'll be able to devote all of my time to learn more about the needs of the county," Thomas Farrow said.

Jones has been Cape Girardeau County's presiding commissioner for more than 11 years.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

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