Candidate questionnaire: Al Cantrell

Candidate Name: Al Cantrell

Party: Republican

Age: 67

Spouse: Marsha

Children: Allan, Al Jr., and Jason Fadler, stepson

Occupation: Mechanic

Education: Graduate of Salem High School (MO) and one year Meramec Community College--Production Engineering.

Employer: Self

Businesses owned, all or part: Al's Speed Shop and Tire

Previous offices held/sought: None

Question 1: What do you see as Bollinger County's biggest challenge and greatest needs?

Answer: Employment for people of Bollinger County, attracting new businesses to build a better tax base so that the budget can be addressed. We also need to take more pride in our county--it's a great place to live, raise a family, or retire.

Our greatest need is new industry.

Question 2: What do you see as the county commission's role in economic development in Bollinger County?

Answer: We should be the face of Bollinger County. We should go out of our way to find the business owners and draw them into our county. New businesses should be recognized and promoted. Follow-up should be done on any prospective new business; this should be done with an open mind. We need to be creative and think outside the box.

Questions 3: What can the county as a whole do to ensure improvement of highways in Bollinger County, especially Highway 34 and Highway 51? Answer: Encourage the citizens--both experienced drivers and new drivers--to be more observant of the road conditions, leave a few minutes earlier. Better educate people about the hazards of our road conditions because the money just isn't there to reconstruct these highways.

Question 4: Given the current economy, what do you see happening to the Bollinger County budget? Cutbacks? Status Quo? Increasing revenue?

Answer: We should be finding ways to increase revenue, therefore budget cuts wouldn't be necessary. If cuts are necessary, make them equal to all departments of the county. Cutbacks have been made, so it's crucial that more cuts be avoided.

Closing remarks: If elected, I will be fair, honest, and will always keep an open-door policy. I will welcome new ideas and solutions to existing and future problems. No problem will be considered small. Everyone's problems are important to me. I look forward to working with each department in Bollinger County and the community as well.