WILKINSON VOICES CONCERN OVER ROADS IN CHALLENGING COMMISSIONER BOCK

JACKSON -- Fred Wilkinson said he filed for Cape Girardeau County Commission because he is concerned about the way county roads are maintained and how the highway department is operated.

Larry Bock, who is completing his first two-year term as commissioner, points to the work he has done overseeing county roads and bridges as a reason he should be re-elected.

Ultimately, voters in the Republican primary Aug. 2 will decide whether Bock is on track. Bock, a farmer from Gordonville, and Wilkinson, who has a farm and an auto-body and repair shop in Millersville, are campaigning for the nomination as 1st District associate commissioner.

The winner will face Democrat Jack Piepenbrok, a member of the Jackson Board of Aldermen. He is unopposed in the primary.

The 1st District covers Jackson, the out-county, and Ward 17 in Cape Girardeau.

Bock said he is running for another term because he likes the job and wants to continue moving forward with improvements he has started. "I enjoy the position and feel like I have something to offer," said Bock.

Wilkinson, who is making his first bid for public office, said he was urged to run. "I had quite a bit of encouragement from some taxpayers of the county," he said. "They wanted me to make the race, so after a little time I decided I should do it."

Because the 1st District commissioner is responsible for overseeing roads and bridges, campaigns usually focus on that area.

"My main thing is to try and get these roads back in condition," said Wilkinson. "I know they are working hard on them right now, but that's because an election is getting close. I'm also not happy with the way the road workers and county employees are treated."

Wilkinson said there is a need for more citizen involvement in road and bridge decisions. Bock said he has attempted to do that.

Said Wilkinson: "I want to work for the people, not just myself. I think the taxpayers should have more input. There are things they want done other than what the commissioners want."

Last year Bock appointed a citizens' advisory committee to help prioritize road and bridge needs around the county and to begin a process of long-range planning he believes the county needs.

"The committee came back with some good recommendations," Bock said. "We got a lot of good input, not only from the committee but from residents in the out-county area. Cape County has a good road system but there is always room for improvement. More and more demands are being placed on our road system."

Bock said he has enacted a number of changes in the county highway department, such as hiring of a professional highway engineer to oversee the department and do design work; rescheduling workers to reduce overtime; and establishing a new pay schedule to put county road workers' pay more in line with the state highway department and other entities. Bock said he also established new policies to end misuse of county equipment.

Wilkinson said he is concerned that the county seems to be short of funds for its highway department. He said there should be enough money in the budget to do the job. He said the county could take better advantage of federal funds for bridges and needs to plan better.

Said Wilkinson: "A long-range planning program is a must, and I strongly support it. But we must also solve today's problems and go from that point. I believe we could lower equipment repair costs by having a qualified mechanic employed to make these repairs, which would cut down time, added paperwork and other red tape."

Wilkinson said he would work closely with the 2nd District commissioner to see that the commission understands needs.

To keep Cape County in sound financial condition, Wilkinson said "strong management" is a key. "I feel like we have the money, it is coming into us and we need to use it wisely to insure taxpayers are treated fairly."

To keep the county sound, Bock said it is important to keep the sales-tax base strong. One way to do that is through the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association, formed over a year ago to improve cooperation in seeking jobs. Bock serves as one of the county's representatives on the association board.

"We need to be tightfisted, keep a good reserve fund, and make sure we get the most bang for the buck," said Bock. "It seems like there is always something to spend money for, but you have got to make the most conservative decision you can and get the best product you can."

Neither candidate said he is enthusiastic about the possibility of re-considering a proposed recreational lake in Cape and Bollinger counties. Both opposed the lake when it was proposed more than four years ago. They said any future efforts should include greater input from landowners in the area that would be affected.

Wilkinson is a lifelong resident of Cape County and has operated his auto-body and repair shop for 33 years. He has had a farm for 22 years.

Bock has farmed near Gordonville for 34 years and has been in agriculture sales for over 20 years. He and his wife, Shirley, have seven children.

He has been active in Farm Bureau; serves on the University of Missouri Extension Council; has been active with the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service at all levels, including two terms as state committee member; and has been active with the Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson.

1st District at a glance

District: Jackson, the out-county and Ward 17 in Cape Girardeau.

Duties: Along with two other commissioners, makes up the county's administrative body. Traditionally, the 1st District commissioner is responsible for overseeing roads and bridges.

Term: Two years.

Salary: $25,000.

Candidates: Republicans are incumbent Larry Bock of Gordonville, in his first term, and Fred Wilkinson of Millersville. Democrat Jack Piepenbrok of Jackson is unopposed in the primary.