GOP commissioner candidates talk about job creation

Job retention and creation was a recurring theme at a meeting Friday featuring all six Republican candidates running for Cape Girardeau County presiding commissioner.

Hosted by the Cape Girardeau County Republican Women's Club, the event at Dexter Bar-B-Que allowed each candidate to talk about his personal life and vision for the county. It was the first time the candidates officially gathered in one room since Tuesday's deadline to file for the office.

Charles Brawley said his experience as a captain with the Cape Girardeau Fire Department would be valuable when serving in the administrative role required as a presiding commissioner.

"There will always be bumps in the road," Brawley said. "I want to find a way to make an impact. I want to go in with the other commissioners, tighten our belt and hang on until the economy improves."

Doyle Parmer, a town clerk for Dutchtown, talked about how his experience in customer service instilled him the importance of serving others, which he said is a necessity for succeeding in office.

"I've had 28 years of customer sales and service, putting their needs ahead of mine," Parmer said.

State Rep. Clint Tracy said his experience in helping develop multimillion-dollar budgets as a member of the U.S. Navy would prove valuable in the county commission.

"So managing a smaller county budget is not intimidating for me," Tracy said. "I also want to [help] provide jobs and recruit new business."

Edward Jones financial adviser Chris Hutson, the son of Circuit Clerk Charles P. Hutson, said his contacts with businessmen would be a tremendous asset when developing ways to attract new companies to Cape Girardeau County.

"I want to recruit new businesses to bring new families to the area," Hutson said. "This is a great place to live. But it can be even better."

Stephen Daume said he would treat the presiding commissioner role similar to that of a business owner. Daume owns a Daisy farm.

"I want to make sure if my kids come back here, there's an opportunity for them," Daume said. "We have to make this a friendly place to do business. Cooperation and teamwork is the way to take us in the future."

In the final speech of the afternoon, Cape Girardeau County District 2 Commissioner Jay Purcell said the job will take someone making hard decisions, such as losing the presiding commissioner role if the county switches to a charter form of government.

"I believe everyone should have a say in the process," Purcell said. "I will continue to be a person to stand up for the people."

The winner of the August primary will then face the winner of the Democrat primary in November. Pat Wissman, who lost a 2008 bid to become District 1 commissioner, and Brian Thomas, a Gordonville business owner, are the two candidates on the Democrat ticket.

The Cape Girardeau County Pachyderms will host a forum of the Republican candidates at 7 p.m. May 20 at Dexter Bar-B-Que.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent addresses:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO

236 S. Broadview St., Cape Girardeau, MO