More than 100 turn out for Dems' annual Truman Day barbecue

Improving Missouri roads, keeping costs down for taxpayers and saving jobs for Missourians emerged as themes of this year's Byrd Township Democrats' Truman Day barbecue held Saturday at the Laborers Hall.

More than 100 area Democrats turned out for the dinner, a jump up from previous years, according to vice president Paul Allee.

"Presidential [election] years, there's always a little bigger turnout," Allee said.

Joe Allen, a prosecuting attorney in Rockaway Beach, Mo., seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. representative in the 8th District of Missouri, said he will focus on pulling the district out of poverty if elected.

"I grew up with a single mother, without health care, and I grew up very poor," Allen said.

Rep. Jeff Harris, seeking the Democratic nomination for Missouri attorney general, said he plans on holding utility companies accountable for costs and making the protection of Missouri's natural resources a priority if elected to office.

He'd also like to eradicate predatory payday lenders in the state, he said.

"If you work hard every day, you play by the rules, you deserve to have a shot at the American dream," Harris said.

The 396 percent interest rate of a payday loan robs hardworking taxpayers of the ability to get ahead, he said.

Democratic candidates for county commission Marvin McMillan and Pat Wissman spoke at the dinner, both addressing the need for a full-time commissioner in Cape Girardeau County.

Wissman said he plans to devote all his time to the office if elected and stressed the importance of making improvements to county roads.

McMillan, who has more than 30 years' experience as a volunteer firefighter in the area, said he has the knowledge and the ability to address that issue but didn't elaborate.

McMillan said if elected, he plans to resign his job as a concrete truck operator in Perryville, Mo., so he can concentrate all his time at the commission job.

Fair and open commission meetings must also become more of a priority, he said.

159th District candidate Bill Burlison, Democratic treasurer candidate Deborah Young, 156th District candidate Michael Winder and state Senate candidate Linda Sanders also spoke.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245