Nov. 2014: Cape Girardeau County presiding commissioner: Pat Wissman

__Name:__ Pat Wissman

__Age:__ 57

__Place of birth:__ Cape Girardeau, Missouri

__Spouse's, children's names:__ Brenda, Joe, Jessica, Amanda, Alexa, Lyulf and Trevor

__Education:__

Jackson High School

Completed Cape Girardeau Police Department Citizens Police Academy

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate)

__Occupation:__ Retired

__Employer:__ Retired

__Businesses owned, all or part:__ None, now retired.

__Public offices held or sought; give dates:__ Presiding Commissioner, 2010

__Email:__ patwissman@yahoo.com

__Phone:__ 573-270-8694

__What are the major challenges facing Cape Girardeau County?:__

1) Age discrimation lawsuit brought against Mr. Tracy involving an employee who served the county for 46 years.

2) Mr. Tracy imposing and raising taxes (see Southeast Missourian 9/4/12, 9/17/13, and 9/5/14).

3) The building of a new courthouse and the rerouting of Highway 61 through Jackson.

4) Lack of manufacturing jobs and poor infrastructure of Cape County.

5) Lack of listening to the public and accountability.

__How would you ensure the county stays fiscally stable?:__

If allowed by law move the fiscal year to end June 30. All taxes will still be due December 31. This will allow for a balanced budget by knowing what income we have.

Improving the infrastructure of Cape County to attract manufacturing companies which would boost real estate sales, home and business construction and spending at local retail shops thereby increasing the sales tax revenue which results in more funds for the county.

__A 2013 county needs assessment outlines plans for a new courthouse that would also be home to county administrative offices. It also calls for the possible construction of a parking garage. Do you believe the county needs these new facilities? If so,:__

As a county grows larger so does the need for a larger and more efficient facility to conduct county business. A new courthouse with adequate parking is inevitable. When we get to the point in time I believe we can do so by utilizing the old courthouse for offices and connecting a new courthouse with the current county jail while preserving a historical landmark of the county seat.

__An additional 18 tornado warning sirens will go live across the county this month. Would you be in favor of seeking funds to purchase more sirens in the future?:__

If those we now have in use work well and the residents believe we need more, we should look into ways to purchase them. We should also look more into training and safe shelters and the distribution of supplies to the residents in case of natural or man-made disasters. Safety should and must be a high priority for our residents. You can not put a price on a life.

__Closing remarks:__

If elected as your Presiding Commissioner I will remove the tax increase imposed on Cape County residents by Mr. Tracy. Improve the infrastructure of the county to attract manufacturing companies, move the fiscal year end to June 30 (if allowed by law) in order to pass a balanced budget. Hold evening commission meetings, town hall meetings with all commissioners present to hear concerns from the residents and return the juvenile center back to Cape County.