FIVE DEMS WANT SCOTT COUNTY COMMISSION SEAT

BENTON, Mo. -- All the candidates vying for a seat on the Scott County Commission want to see the county's revenues grow and new businesses come to the area. But they would go about the task of increasing revenues and adding businesses in different ways.

Incumbents want to finish projects already started while their opponents hope for a new start in the county. Five men are seeking to fill two open seats on the commission. Each commissioner will serve a four-year term and is paid a salary of $29,700.

The first district territory encompasses the Sikeston city limits and another area in the extreme southern part of the county. The second district territory is all the portion of the county north of Sikeston. The divisions are based on population.

Voters will select new commissioners for both districts when they head to the polls Aug. 8 for a primary election. All candidates filed as Democrats, which means there will be no contested general elections in November.

In the first district race, incumbent Walter Bizzell will face two opponents. Jerry Burge and Sonny Alcorn are also seeking the post.

Bizzell has already served seven years on the commission with two two-year terms and one three-year term. He would like to be re-elected to oversee some of the work already begun during his tenure.

"I feel like I need to run again," he said. With projects like construction of a new jail and replacing major roads and bridges, Bizzell said he has seem major improvements in the county.

"And there is a chance for more," he said.

Not just roads and bridges have been improved, but quality of life. The county instituted a 911 emergency system during his time in office, Bizzell said.

Jerry Burge hopes the county can work to add new businesses, new jobs and increase the tax base. He would like to see more economic development in the county, particularly with the addition of an interstate interchange north of Miner.

"We have the access here," he said. Now the work becomes attracting development. There has been talk of building a convention center or motels at that interchanges. "We need more retail businesses to come in," he said.

However, the county has to work hard in attracting new businesses, Burge said. "If you're not searching all the time and paying attention, it won't happen."

Burge has been in the insurance business for 30 years and understands the workings of budgets and money. He plans to put that knowledge to work for the county.

"I want an open and informative county government," he said. "We need to work with the state legislators" to get information the county needs.

Sonny Alcorn wants to continue to improve the county. He is a current officeholder and has served three terms as public administrator but didn't want to make a career of that job.

He had always considered running for a commission seat and thought now was the time. "We need somebody to represent the south end of the district," he said.

He would like to see the commission work more with economic development groups to bring new businesses into Sikeston. Since the city is split between Scott and New Madrid counties it seems that new business -- and their sales tax revenues -- build in New Madrid County.

"There's nothing to draw them here," he said. "We need to build up the sales tax and county funds."

In the second district, incumbent Dewaine Shaffer will face opponent Jamie Burger.

Shaffer wants to continue work on the county's roads and bridges and bringing some new industry to the area.

"I would like to see it grow," he said of the county's population. A population growth means that the county has to progress, he said.

"We're still moving forward with the jail and finding some new industry in the Scott City area," he said.

Shaffer had previously served eight years as county commissioner in the 1980s and has the time to devote to the job, he said.

Burger hasn't held political office before but that hasn't stopped him from being involved in the community. He serves on the school board for St. Denis school and is active with many civic organizations. "I've always been active and feel like I would be successful," he said.

Burger wants to bring new businesses and people to Scott County and would start by advertising the region for its railroad, river and port authority access. Whether it's by the Internet or publications, "it's just time to bring more industry into Scott County," Burger said. "We need to do what it takes to attract new industry."

Burger thinks advertising the county's positive attractions in national publications will help attract people and business. He said the county is full of "hard-working people" who should be able to work in the county if they choose.

Burger said his campaign is about bringing something new to the office of commissioner. "I'm running on my own merit rather than against" an opponent, he said.

THE CANDIDATES

First District Commissioner

Sonny Alcorn

Age: 53

Hometown: Sikeston

Party: Democrat

Job history: Has served three terms as county public administrator. Has also worked in real estate for 29 years.

Education: Graduate of Sikeston schools and attended two years of college. Served in armed forces two years.

Personal: Wife, Elizabeth, three children.

Walter Bizzell

Age: 67

Hometown: Sikeston

Party: Democrat

Job history: Has served three terms as commissioner.

Education: Graduate of Sikeston schools. Has owned Bizzell Nursery since 1958.

Personal: Wife, Margaret, two sons and a daughter.

Jerry Burge

Age: 59

Hometown: Sikeston

Party: Democrat

Job history: Insurance agent and partner with Mitchell Insurance in Sikeston since 1973.

Education: Graduate of Caruthersville schools and Central Methodist College in Fayette, Mo.

Personal: Wife, Judy, two children and a grandson.

Second district commissioner

Dewaine Shaffer

Age: 53

Hometown: Chaffee

Party: Democrat

Job history: Has worked 30 years as self-employed contractor. Had served eight years as commissioner from 1981-1988. Was elected again in 1996.

Education: Graduate of Oran schools.

Personal: Wife, Dixie, two children and grandson.

Jamie Burger

Age: 42

Hometown: Benton

Party: Democrat

Job history: Has worked at Lone Star Industries for 16 years, with 10 of them as supervisor of production personnel and plant operations. Previously worked at Schneider Equipment Co. as a salesman. Serves as outgoing president of the St. Denis school board.

Education: Graduate of elementary school in New Hamburg and Kelly High School.

Personal: Wife, Sherry, three daughters.