Election 2004 Q&A - Scott County candidates

Sheriff

What do you think is the best way to continue paying for the new Scott County jail? Do you want to see the sales tax extended in 2008?

Walter: I'd like to see it expire if at all possible. Instead of a tax extension, I want to look into allowing the federal government to house prisoners in the county jail, for which the county would be paid. I have been talking with the sheriff's office in Mississippi County about their housing of Immigration and Naturalization Service prisoners. They bring in quite a bit of income. I've talked to several counties in the area that do this and it's been a benefit to them. I'd like to see the money generated by the housing of prisoners go into the county's general fund overseen by the commissioners.

Drury: The best way to pay for the jail is with the sales tax, although I'm not against taking in other prisoners to offset operation costs, but availability and feasibility has to be looked at and will require heavy research.

Do you see lack of personnel as a problem at the sheriff's office? If so, what will you do to address it?

Walter: Right now they have a good staff. I'd like to see officers on the road 24 hours a day, which I believe can be done without hiring additional officers.

Drury: It wouldn't be fair to make an assessment because I haven't worked in the office for nine years.

Why have you gotten involved in public service? Why do you want to hold the office you're running for?

Walter: Law enforcement is my passion. I started off my career in law enforcement as an officer in Oran in 1987, and also worked as a night deputy at the Scott County Sheriff's Office for eight months.

The office needs to be run a little differently and more efficiently.

Drury: I've had a lot of people tell me I really need to run because my heart is in it. I'm not doing it for selfish reasons. Law enforcement is a calling for me and provides me with the satisfaction of knowing I can help people.

Do you have a plan of action for the beginning of your term in office?

Walter: One of the things I would do immediately is start talking with the federal government about housing prisoners. I'd also like to take a look at some policies and procedures in the office such as having officers on the streets 24 hours a day and having the money collected from civil processing go to the county. And I'd like to work on addressing the county's drug problems, specifically methamphetamine.

Drury: One priority is to continue to address the growing methamphetamine problem in the county. I want to make sure that work continues. The meth problem is escalating to another level. I want to expand officers' knowledge and their working relationships with other (law enforcement) agencies in Southeast Missouri.

How does your background and/or experience prepare you for the office you're seeking?

Walter: My background in law enforcement, which goes back to 1987, prepares me for the job, as does the time I spent with the U.S. Customs Service as an inspector at Chicago O'Hare Airport in 2002 where I got experience I wouldn't have gotten on a local level. Also, my 23 years spent working with Penzel Construction uniquely qualifies me for the job. The sheriff's office, as I look at it, should be run like a business. You're looking at a tremendous amount of money. You need to be accountable for the dollars you're spending.

Drury: My background in EMS, law enforcement and fire and rescue gives me a unique scope of experience. I've been in almost every emergency field out there. I have working knowledge of what these people do and I'm able to be part of a team. My experience working with the prosecuting attorney's office for nine years has given me insight into the process of getting a conviction.

Commissioner

How will you address unemployment in Scott County? What will you do to promote economic growth in the county?

Schwaninger: Although unemployment is not a crisis situation in the county, I think there's room for improvement. Employment and economic growth work hand-in-hand. Jobs generate growth. To promote economic growth, I've been working with the Southeast Missouri Economic Development Alliance that was established in February to work on soliciting new businesses and strengthening existing businesses in the six-county Bootheel region. I take more of a regional approach. To help Scott County grow, we need to make sure the region grows. We're all working to make the region more attractive to businesses and strengthen businesses that are already here.

Ziegenhorn: The main thing is to see the community grow. We have to approach businesses that haven't thought about moving to Sikeston. We're all going to all have to sell what we've got. The county needs to let companies know that by moving to a smaller county they will be saving money and potentially making more of a profit. I've always been a firm believer that you have to go seek people out and I don't think we're doing that. I have a lot of good friends in government, people who hear about things we wouldn't know about unless we contacted them.

Why have you gotten involved in public service? Why do you want to hold the office you're running for?

Schwaninger: The three years I spent as director of the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce heightened my personal appreciation for the people and the area while my work as head of economic development for the past three years put me in close contact with the commissioners and the workings of their office. I think I can make a good contribution to the job and intend to do the job full-time. We all like to feel worthwhile. I have decades of experience and I really think I can make a contribution.

Ziegenhorn: I obviously love politics. I served 14 years in the Missouri House of Representatives. My father held the first district commissioner position for 20 years and died before his last term was completed. I've thought about it [the office] for years and years.

Do you have a plan of action for the beginning of your term in office?

Schwaninger: I expect to experience a learning curve when I get into office, but there are several issues I'd like to address upon becoming a commissioner. I am interested in citizen input from my district and seeking ways to do that. I'm also interested in continuing to support the technological changes that have been underway in the county, with the creation of a Scott County Web site and the establishment of a Geographic Information System.

Ziegenhorn: I'm not a person who goes in with a know-it-all attitude. I'm interested in seeing and learning.

How does your background and/or experience prepare you for the office you're seeking?

Schwaninger: I've had a lot of experience that will help me make good decisions for the people of Scott County. My time as head of economic development has prepared me for the office because I've been able to work closely with the commissioners; while the time I spent working with J.C. Penney, most recently as corporate vice president and government relations director in Washington, D.C., has given me a strong work ethic and work standards. My position at the chamber has made me aware of the concerns of local businesses.

Ziegenhorn: The connections I forged while a representative are the biggest asset I have to offer, especially if Claire McCaskill, a friend of mine, is elected Missouri's governor. The years I spent as a representative also prepared me in other ways. I know how to balance a budget, I've done it for 14 years. Basically being a commissioner is balancing the budget and spending money wisely. I've been down that road.

Assessor

How Important do you think it is for the assessor to have an appraisal background?

Houchin: I feel like it can be very helpful if the assessor has appraisal background. I'm close to becoming a certified commercial appraiser. To be an assessor in Scott County you have to have 20 hours of training each year, a number of hours in the field and pass a test.

Cookson: I think it's very important. That's why I started to go to school and work on getting my appraisal license. I will continue to take classes on the weekends and work toward my appraisal certification. As a former teacher, I think education is important in everything you do.

If so, how extensive should that background be?

Houchin: I don't think it's necessary to be a certified appraiser in order to hold the office.

Cookson: It's important for the assessor to be committed to learning about appraisal, but that it is not necessary to be certified, although I think in the future the county may require it.

Why have you gotten involved in public service? Why do you want to hold the office you're running for?

Houchin: I was burned out on teaching and working toward an accounting degree. I decided to run for assessor, a position I became interested in when my father ran for the position. I enjoy working with the people in the county and the job I do I try to do for the people of the county."

Cookson: When I retired from teaching, I was able to pursue another career. I was always interested in government. I thought it would be a good opportunity to combine my interest in government and in real estate.

Do you have a plan of action for the beginning of your term in office?

Houchin: I'd like to continue working on providing Scott County with a Geographic Information System and would like to work on getting laptop computers available for field work.

Cookson: The first thing I would do would be to dive in and learn all I can and see what needs to be done. I would work on keeping the office running while I'm learning.

How does your background and/or experience prepare you for the office you're seeking?

Houchin: The 10 years I've been assessor. That means I know the ins and outs of an office that demands a lot and sees constant changes. It wasn't really until my second term that I was a lot more sure of myself. If you get a new assessor, they're going to have to go through all the classes and you can't take two days of classes and know everything.

Cookson: My years spent teaching county government gives a good background for working for the county. To prepare for the office I'm taking appraisal classes and reading material on my own.

Public administrator

What do you think is the best way to address the growing number of caseloads the office is receiving?

Dirnberger: I haven't worked in the office before so I'm not sure of how the office is run, but I would look into streamlining it, such as installing software intended for public administrators.

Bledsoe: Most of what the public administrator does is confidential, so I'm not sure of the specifics of what is going on in the office, but I will try to use my business experience to look at streamlining the way the office is run.

How much personal attention should each case be given?

Dirnberger: I would like to try to visit everyone on a regular basis. I'm sure a lot of it will depend on their personal situation.

Bledsoe: I would identify that on an individual basis. Some cases may require very little attention, while some may require a lot of time. Either way, I will be a full-time administrator because it is a job that requires full-time attention.

Why have you gotten involved in public service? Why do you want to hold the office you're running for?

Dirnberger: This is a worthwhile position and I think it needs someone who cares more about the people themselves than the position.

Bledsoe: This is a job I've always wanted to do and just never had time. I reached the time in my life where I have the time and resources to do this job. The public administrators office is a way for me to serve the citizens of Scott County, especially those in need of extra assistance.

Do you have a plan of action for the beginning of your term in office?

Dirnberger: If they will let me do so, right after the general election I'd like to work with Mr. Hollyfield (current public administrator) so I can learn and to make the transition easier.

Bledsoe: Just to learn the job from Mr. Hollyfield to ensure a smooth transition and using my business experience to help the people of Scott County.

How does your background and/or experience prepare you for the office you're seeking?

Dirnberger: I have a 30-year background in business. You name it, I've done it. I have run Superior Office Products with my husband for close to 20 years. I think what qualifies me is my desire to help these people. Their wishes need to be known and carried out as much as possible.

Bledsoe: The 28 years I've spent in the business world has equipped me to work well with people and work with a set budget. I deal with people on a daily basis, people who provide services much as I would if I were elected public administrator.