Candidate questionnaire: Doyle Parmer

Candidate Name: Doyle Parmer

Party: Republican

Age: 53

Place of birth: Cape Girardeau

Spouse: Julie Jones-Parmer

Children: Mindy Lemons, Christina Parmer

Occupation: Small business owner

Education: High school, Cape Central High School, Class of 1975; I also attended one year of trade school at Sikeston Vocational Technical School, where I was licensed as a union-certified welder.

Employer: Business owner, operator

Businesses owned, all or part: Dutchtown Enterprises, including Prestigious Lawn Care and Dutch Cleaning.

Previous offices held/sought: Dutchtown board of trustees, 1988-present; presently town clerk since 2008; prior to that town treasurer from 2002-2004. I also ran for Delta School Board in the mid 1990s.

Question 1: Do you support the county changing to a charter form of government? Why or why not?

Answer: I support putting this issue before the voters of Cape Girardeau County.

Question 2: What are the major challenges facing Cape Girardeau County?

Answer: There are many issues facing the county today. I believe some of the important issues include job creation, employee training (or retraining, if need be), and road improvements. I also believe that we should be actively recruiting new employers, by -- if the situation requires it -- adding business incentives.

Question 3: Cape Girardeau County has escaped the worst impacts of the recession, With revenue about stable. How would you help make sure the county budget is fiscally stable in 2011.

Answer: I want to keep a watchful eye on spending money that taxpayers worked so hard to earn. I take that responsibility very seriously. I want to be able to say that we are spending money in a way that the taxpayers approve and understand.

Question 4: What changes would you make in the way commission meetings are conducted or the way the county operates?

Answer: I am not privy to the behind-the-scenes workings of the county commission. Honestly, though, I do play well with others. I would have to get into office and assess the situation once I get there. I can't make changes from the outside.

Closing remarks: If elected, I would continue to bring my blue-collar work ethic to the job of county commissioner. I have been a hard worker all of my life and would work hard for the voters of Cape Girardeau County. I have owned a small business and understand the complexities of budgeting, payroll and the importance of sound fiscal judgment. I believe that I would serve the best interests of the citizens of Cape Girardeau County.