Ready Mix driver files for commission seat on Democratic Party ballot

Marvin McMillan provided the only surprise Tuesday in the race to replace retiring Cape Girardeau County Commissioner Larry Bock.

McMillan, 58, is a driver for Ready Mix Concrete Co. of Perryville, Mo. A lifelong Cape Girardeau County resident, he filed for the commission seat on the Democratic Party ballot, joining Pat Wissman, owner-operator of Wissman Transportation.

In an interview after he filed, McMillan pledged to be a full-time county commissioner, noting that it is sometimes difficult to find commissioners in their offices at the County Administration Building. Commissioners are paid more than $60,000 annually.

"My real issue is that I think there is a lot more that needs to be done," McMillan said.

The District 1 commission seat covers most of the county outside the city limits of Cape Girardeau. The commissioner has primary responsibility for overseeing the County Highway Department as well as industrial development and working with the county extension service, McMillan said.

In coming years, he said, the commission will wrestle with issues surrounding growth in unincorporated areas and how to wisely spend the half-cent sales tax dedicated to roads and law enforcement.

To deal with growth, he said the county should consider some way to make construction in the county conform to the codes in Jackson and Cape Girardeau. On plans for road improvements, he said the commission must work more closely with school districts on choosing roads to pave in order to make school bus routes safer and save wear and tear on school buses.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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