Tracy, Wissman hope to fill spot being vacated by longtime Cape Girardeau County presiding commissioner

On Nov. 2 Cape Girardeau County voters will elect a new presiding commissioner for the first time since the 1990s. Republican Clint Tracy and Democrat Pat Wissman are the two candidates vying for the position being vacated by Gerald Jones' retirement at the end of the year.

While there are many issues on which Tracy and Wissman share similar views, they both differ on what their top priority would be if elected.

Tracy said he would like to keep the county on the path it's been traveling on.

Pat Wissman

"I'd like to see continued growth and prosperity. I think we are in excellent fiscal shape, especially compared to other counties around the state," Tracy said. "Our commissioners have done an excellent job in the past of maintaining the funds and have been good stewards of the taxpayer dollars. I hope to continue to do that."

Wissman said his top priority would be getting people more involved in county government.

"Get the openness of this government to the people. Let the people start having control of what goes on. Let them tell us what they need and don't need," he said.

Wissman said people are the cornerstone of the county and need to be aware of what is occurring in commission meetings.

"Get them more involved. Let them know what's going on. Don't be hiding this stuff from them," he said.

Both candidates have said they will bring growth and development to the county but through different methods.

Wissman feels not enough is being done to advertise the county's assets. He would like to see billboards along interstates in the region and information on the Internet touting the county's industrial parks.

"Like I've stated in the past, get out here and promote Cape County as an industrial, retail, tourism and agricultural community county. With those there, you can bring in a lot of people. Get out and show them what we have," he said.

He said he has been talking to companies about the merits of expanding in Cape Girardeau County, though he said he couldn't yet share specifics.

Tracy believes county officials should encourage growth among potential and current county businesses.

"I think we've got an opportunity to recruit business and look at businesses around the state and around the country that are looking to expand. Businesses that are already located in the county, any way we can help them expand, I think that is something we need to aggressively pursue," he said.

As with any race, the candidates say their experiences make them a better option than their opponent.

Tracy is a state representative. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and is a naval Reserve officer. In those capacities, he said, he gained valuable insight that would prove beneficial as presiding commissioner.

"In the Navy I managed a $530 million account, so I'm familiar with the budgeting process. I also have the leadership experience from the military and at the state government level," he said.

Wissman is a retired over-the-road truck driver who said his time in that position provided him with experience in dealing with government and communication skills.

"I have had to deal with federal government, state governments, local and city governments, working with the trucking company that I own," Wissman said. He also said by traveling all over the United States he has met people from various backgrounds and cultures. "I was able to sit down and talk with them and do it one-on-one and understand them and they can understand me."

While Tracy and Wissman have different backgrounds, they share similar views on many topics relevant to county residents.

The recent ordinance passed by Jackson officials requiring a prescription for over-the-counter medications containing pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine, is supported by both candidates as an effective deterrent.

Tracy said that is a requirement he has previously tried to enact at the state level.

"As a state legislator I actually filed a bill that would have done the exact same thing. I am for reducing the number of meth labs in this county and I think that is an effective step in achieving that goal," he said.

Wissman would like to see the city of Cape Girardeau enact similar measures.

"Cape is behind. They need to do the same thing, along with every other little town in our county. Send a message. If they want to make it, don't do it in Cape County," he said.

Both candidates also support updating security measures at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse and the county administrative building. Wissman said metal detectors and infrared systems would prevent people from bringing weapons into a county building, while Tracy said commissioner Paul Koeper is updating security measures and that he believes progress is being made toward improving measures.

The Cape Girardeau County Commission is known for being quarrelsome at times, but both Tracy and Wissman said they will be able to work amicably and effectively with Koeper and Commissioner Jay Purcell.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

243-8600