Two more candidates to run for county seat

Two more candidates have joined the increasingly crowded race for Cape Girardeau County commissioner for District 1.

Pat Wissman, the owner-operator of Wissman Transportation, will compete for the Democratic nomination, the first member of his party to announce plans to seek the job being vacated by incumbent Republican Larry Bock. Thomas Allen, former superintendent of the Delta School District, said Monday that he will join the crowded GOP field.

Filing for offices on the Aug. 5, 2008, primary ballot opens Feb. 26. Bock is the only incumbent county officeholder who does not plan to seek re-election.

Wissman, who lives on a 98-acre farm north of Cape Gir-ardeau, is a lifelong resident of Cape Girardeau County. The most pressing issues facing the county, he said, will be the wise use of the sales tax for roads and law enforcement passed in 2006 as well as taking steps to address drainage issues associated with development. The two issues should be addressed, he said, as well as the "need to promote Cape County as a county for industrial, agriculture and residential growth."

To make sure the road tax money is used properly, he said he would seek input from fire districts and school districts to set priorities for paving roads.

Drainage issues are moving to the forefront as continued development creates swifter runoff during storms, he said. "Sooner or later we are going to have to do something or we are going to end up with a bunch of swampland," Wissman said.

Wissman is a first-time candidate with little political experience. He said he will run as a Democrat because of a long family tradition. "My grandfather was a Democrat and he was a businessman on Broadway," Wissman said.

Allen retired from the Delta schools in June 2006 after nine years leading the district. His experience in school leadership includes 24 years as an administrator.

While he's seeking the Republican nomination, Allen said partisanship in county government should stop when the election is over. "People just want honesty, integrity and fairness with money that comes to the county," Allen said.

His accomplishments in the Delta schools, Allen said, included increasing the district's fund reserves and decreasing turnover. He believes those skills would be an asset to county government. He said his Southeast Missouri State University degree in business education will help him understand the county's finances and administration.

"There are a lot of growth and business issues, and the county's revenue is based on sales tax and business growth," he said.

Allen grew up on what he describes as a "rocky hill farm" in Bollinger County near Patton, Mo.

The other announced candidates include Bill Hahs, owner of Semo Ag & Dairy in Jackson, Penzel Construction Co. vice president Paul Koeper of Jackson, Tilsit farmer Rick Aufdenberg, former county auditor Weldon Macke of Gordonville, Stephen Daume, a Daisy cattle breeder, and Rick Shultz, a Jackson businessman. Ken Evans, who is self-employed after a 29-year career at Procter & Gamble, has said he is considering the race.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126