Clint Tracy: Prepared to serve

On Aug. 3 voters will decide on presiding commissioner nominees for Cape Girardeau County. Of the six GOP candidates, there is one who stands out as uniquely prepared to serve: Clint Tracy. Naval Academy graduate, and now lieutenant commander in the Navy Reserve, Clint served in two combat operations -- Operations Desert Fox and Iraqi Freedom -- leading sailors and managing millions in contracts and equipment. As the father of two young boys myself, I respect his desire to put his wife and 1-year-old son first by giving up re-election to the state legislature to run for county office instead of spending months every year in Jefferson City. Clint's time as state representative will provide him with a qualification unmatched by other candidates, He is on a first-name basis with state Republican leaders who can lend support when issues related to the county come before the legislature. Finally, Clint's work in the timber industry provides him with a pro-business perspective and an understanding of how regulations can constrain economic development. I hope that Republican voters will support Clint Tracy, seeing in him the dedication and leadership that this county needs.

WAYNE BOWEN, 2577 Cobblestone Court, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701