Perry County presiding commissioner candidates push for affordable housing

Perry County suffers from a shortage of housing, according to presiding commissioner candidates Mike Sauer and Mark Gremaud.

Both candidates said, if elected, they would push for more affordable housing.

Mike Sauer

Sauer, a Republican who resides in Perry County, and Gremaud, a Democrat from Perryville, Missouri, outlined their views in emailed responses to a candidates� questionnaire from the Southeast Missourian.

The winner in the Nov. 6 general election will replace retiring Presiding Commissioner Carl �Topper� Leuckel for the $37,382-a-year job.

Mark Gremaud

Gremaud, a third-generation farmer, said he wants the commission to take �an active role in boosting economic development in Perry County.�

Gremaud added he would support �initiatives presented by local agencies to increase our workforce and to work toward a viable solution to address the current shortage of housing for needed workers.�

Sauer, who operates a woodworking business, said Perry County and Perryville need to develop affordable housing. Major employers in Perry County are expanding and other businesses also are looking for new employees, he said.

�Without having housing available to them, they (workers) are choosing not to relocate to Perry County,� Sauer said.

Both men voiced concern about the high employee turnover rate in the Perry County Sheriff�s Department.

Sauer said the commission needs to look at ways to retain sheriff�s employees, including addressing wages and benefits.

�I have always supported our sheriff�s department,� he said.

Gremaud said the county government has experienced high employee turnover in both the sheriff�s and county road and bridge departments.

�It would be a priority of mine to address these issues to maintain a qualified and experienced staff to ensure the safety of all Perry County citizens,� he said.

This is Sauer�s first run for political office.

Gremaud, in contrast, has held elected positions.

He has served on the Perry County School District No. 32 School Board for six years. He also is a commissioner for the Bois Brule Levee District, an elected position he has held for 14 years.

He was appointed by the county commission to serve as a member of the New Bourbon Port Authority Board.

Gremaud said his experience in elected offices make him �the best candidate� for presiding commissioner.

Sauer said he has served on boards of directors for various community organizations, including the Biehle Fire Department, Perry County Sportsman Club and American Legion Boosters group.

Sauer said he resigned earlier this year from the Biehle Fire Department and the Sportsman Club boards to focus on his campaign and �get more involved with the commission.�

He said he knows �there will be a lot to learn,� but added he wants �to do my civic duty and help Perry County progress in the future years.�

mbliss@semissourian.com

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