JACKSON ALDERMAN FILES FOR COUNTY SEAT

JACKSON -- Jack Piepenbrok, a four-term Jackson alderman and the former Cape Girardeau County treasurer, filed Tuesday for election to the Cape Girardeau County 1st District Associate Commissioner.

The commission seat is held by Larry Bock, a Republican, who is challenged in the GOP primary by Fred Wilkinson of Millersville.

Piepenbrok, a Democrat, will run unopposed in the Democratic primary.

"I have been urged by people from both parties to file for this position," Piepenbrok said. "I am really putting myself in a rather uncomfortable position since I love government but dislike politics. I have many, many friends in both parties."

Piepenbrok, 52, said he looks forward to a clean campaign, but vowed, if elected, to work to assuage the "inevitable rifts that occur at election time."

"I have been in the courthouse as an elected official before, and I know that harmony and teamwork are essential to sound government," he said. "Politics must be put behind us immediately after the elections and our jobs pursued vigorously."

Piepenbrok lauded the job the present county management team has done, claiming that the county is on "the crest of a wave in economic growth and development.

"This is largely due to the fertile environment for progress established by the county and its political subdivisions," said Piepenbrok. "Unfortunately, several of our more effective county officials have left or are leaving office for various reasons. I simply want to see their sound management policies continued."

Piepenbrok said that as first district commissioner, he'll continue to make improvements to county roads and bridges a priority.

Crime control, also will be a top priority, he said.

"All efforts will be exhausted to assist and encourage the sheriff's department in their work and cooperation with other federal, state and local efforts to fight crime on all fronts, specifically narcotics traffic," he said.

Regarding economic development, Piepenbrok said cooperation is the key.

"It is imperative that Cape Girardeau County present a unified front towards economic development," he said. "Everything possible will be done to help create and maintain a close harmonious working relationship among the county, cities and other political subdivisions, including schools, within the county."

The candidate also praised the county's emergency preparedness efforts. "This is of utmost importance since our area is subject to flood, earthquake and tornado activity," he said. "Cape Girardeau County's Emergency Operations Office has shown that it can perform admirably in past disasters, but this effort should be refined and nurtured."

Piepenbrok has lived in Cape Girardeau County his entire life, graduating from Jackson High School. He also received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Southeast Missouri State University. He was a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army, where he served from 1966-1969.

Piepenbrok operated his own insurance business in Jackson for many years, and also has worked in banking and for the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. He was Cape Girardeau County Treasurer from 1976-1980.

Piepenbrok lives in Jackson with his wife, Beverly, a nursing consultant for the Missouri Department of Health. Their son, Andy, is a student at the University of Missouri in Columbia, and their daughter, Jessica, is a student at Southeast Missouri State University.

"I am very proud and very fortunate to have lived in Cape Girardeau County my entire life," said Piepenbrok. "I want to keep Cape Girardeau County the best place in Southeast Missouri to live, work and raise our children."