custom ad
NewsOctober 24, 2000

County Commissioner Larry Bock favors planning and zoning for the county; his Democratic opponent, Doug Flannery, doesn't. Planning and zoning has become a key issue in their 1st District commission race and in the election. Besides the commission race, voters will be decide on county planning. If approved, the commission could establish zoning regulations for unincorporated areas...

County Commissioner Larry Bock favors planning and zoning for the county; his Democratic opponent, Doug Flannery, doesn't.

Planning and zoning has become a key issue in their 1st District commission race and in the election.

Besides the commission race, voters will be decide on county planning. If approved, the commission could establish zoning regulations for unincorporated areas.

The First District covers the county, excluding all but the western section of Cape Girardeau.

Flannery, 39, a construction worker from the Whitewater, Mo., area, has criticized the ballot measure, calling it unnecessary and a waste of tax money.

He thinks it will cost more than the estimated $60,000 to operate a planning office.

"It is too restrictive in the agricultural areas," he said. "You have to get a permit to sell farm equipment in an agricultural area," and it would make it difficult to establish new businesses in unincorporated areas.

Bock, however, thinks planning and zoning would ensure orderly growth in the county.

Voters to decide

The Gordonville, Mo., area farmer said the future of planning and zoning rests with the voters.

"The most important thing is that the citizens of the county will decide whether we have this or not," he said, and if voters defeat the measure, he would oppose putting the issue on a future ballot.

Bock, 62, a Republican, said the commission has fielded complaints in recent years about maintenance of subdivision streets and structures being built too close to public roads.

The proposed rules, he said, would allow agriculture in any zone in the county, but other businesses would be regulated.

"It would keep commercial businesses in the commercial areas," Bock said. "There wouldn't be commercial buildings mixed up in residential areas."

Bock, elected commissioner in 1992, voted against county zoning, and Flannery voted for Bock that year. Flannery now thinks the incumbent no longer represents rural residents.

"The biggest problem facing Cape Girardeau County today is that people don't feel they are being fairly represented," said Flannery.

Bock said he has been for "fair and reasonable" planning and zoning and the 1992 zoning plan was too restrictive. He favors this year's plan, insisting it is less restrictive.

County roads are another issue as Bock oversees the county highway department.

He said a priority has been to improve county roads.

FIRST DISTRICT COMMISSION

The First District commissioner is paid $47,645 a year. Term is for four years. The commissioner oversees the county's road and bridge operations.

Doug Flannery

Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!

Age: 39

Hometown: Whitewater, Mo.

Party: Democrat

Profession: Heavy equipment operator for Penzel Construction Co. in Jackson, Mo. Been in the construction business for 17 to 18 years. Family owns and operates Flannery Fur and Hide Co. in Burfordville, Mo., and three farms in Southeast Missouri.

Family: Married. Wife's name is Kay. He has a son.

Club affiliations: Confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson. Past member of the Future Farmers of America. Member of Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, Cape Girardeau County Farm Bureau, National Rifle Association.

Political history: First run for political office.

Larry Bock

Age: 62

Hometown: Gordonville, Mo.

Party: Republican

Profession: Farmer and owner of an agribusiness.

Family: Married. He and his wife, Shirley, have seven children.

Club affiliations: Member of Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson, served on the church council and serves on the church's budget committee. Member of the Cape Girardeau County Farm Bureau, Missouri Cattlemen's Association, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Corn Growers Association, National Federation of Independent Business, National Rifle Association.

Political history: Elected county commissioner in 1992, re-elected to two-year term in 1994 and a four-year term in 1996.

CANDIDATES Q&A

Do you favor planning and zoning?

Flannery: "Absolutely not. It is too restrictive. The proposed plan is not needed at all. It is way off base."

Bock: "Yes. I think it is very important that the public has the right to vote on this. There wouldn't be any commercial buildings mixed up in residential areas."

What is the biggest issue facing county government?

Flannery: "The biggest problem facing Cape Girardeau County today is the people don't feel they are being fairly represented. They want these roads asphalted."

Bock: "The high cost and increasing cost of the justice system, the courts and law enforcement. There are so many rules that come down, just like building the jail."

Story Tags
Advertisement

Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:

For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.

Advertisement
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!