Perryville Board of Aldermen candidate profiles

Al Oliver (Ward 1)

Age: 57

Spouse: LaDonna

Children: Angie Brewer, Jeff Oliver, Sandy Stuart, all adult children.

Occupation: Retired from Procter & Gamble

Education: Cape Girardeau Vocational Technical School, Cape Girardeau Central High School

Memberships: N/A

Main challenges: Workforce availability is a point of concern for Perryville. I believe industry and commerce is being affected by the lack of technically skilled and capable workers in the city and county. I would like to see the city organize and lead an effort to provide education and training in cooperation with local business and industry. I believe Perryville needs to be proactive and interact with the state to develop tax deferment and incentive plans designed to attract business and industry into the city. I believe the local banking and lending institutions need to be involved. I sense, hear, and see examples of unhappy municipal employees. Unhappy employees are a symptom of a system without clear focus and direction, where it seems more emphasis is placed on busy work and not enough on what's needed to provide required services.

Other experience: N/A

Main assets: N/A

Communication: If elected alderman I will make myself available for periodic town meetings where I will invite all residents of my ward to attend. I will have an open forum with adequate time for questions and issues to be addressed. I will fulfill my duty and responsibility as alderman to represent those of my ward in City board of aldermen meetings. I will make follow-up contact to groups or individuals as necessary and appropriate. In addition to personal contact, I will be available through electronic mail and by phone.

Unavailable

Information for Roger Prost was unavailable.

Frank "Bill" Bergman (incumbent, Ward 2)

Age: 81

Spouse: Lois

Children: Mike, 57; Terry, 52; Dave, 46; all attended school in Perryville

Employment: Retired nursing home administrator

Education: School of Mines & Metallurgy-Rolla, three-plus years

Memberships: P&Z Commission, St. Vincent's Catholic Church, Holy Name Society, American Legion, Perryville Country Club

Reason for running: I feel capable of faithfully and responsibly representing the citizens of Ward II, and have since 1991.

Experience: Administrator of Perry County Nursing Home for 16 years.

Main challenges: We are fortunate to have addressed a good number of the main challenges facing us in the last few years. We replaced a 17 mile natural gas supply line that supplies all the gas for the city, we have added new facilities to promote the well being of our residents, a 500,000 gallon water storage tank to improve supply and pressure in certain areas, the waste water system has been improved by the addition of a 8,000,000 gallon retention basin to help with storm water run-off and we are presently building a new police station to better serve our public. We continue to upgrade and refurbish our city streets. We are striving to increase affordable housing in the city with innovative subdivision regulations.

Main assets: We are fortunate to have many wonderful assets. First of all I would say the residents we have are our biggest asset. Volunteering to help support soccer and baseball activities and other worthwhile endeavors in the city. Perryville is fortunate to have the very fine Perry Park Center with all its amenities, we have Veterans Memorial Baseball field and our fine soccer park. In addition, our concrete streets that we have been working on for many years are to be proud of. Finally, we are thankful to have the support of the local business community, TG Missouri, Gilster Mary Lee and Sabreliner for the many jobs they have created.

Communication: Mainly telephone calls and home visits.

Unavailable

Information for Curt Buerck was unavailable.

Paul R. "Butch" Flentge (incumbent, Ward 3)

Age: 75

Spouse: Marilyn

Children: 10 children, ages 42 to 56; all attended Perryville public Schools

Employment: retired/part-time school bus driver

Education: high school

Memberships: American Legion Booster, Elks Club

Reason for running: I feel I have been an asset to my constituents and would like to continue serving them. Also I would like to be there for the completion of the projects now underway.

Experience: Alderman for nine terms (18 years).

Main challenges: Keeping utility rates under control. Continuance and completion of the street program. Completion of the hike and bike trail and the Veterans Memorial Field.

Main assets: Willingness of the citizens to work together as they did in the construction of the soccer facility and Veterans Memorial Field. The concrete streets that are almost complete. The new police facility under construction. Our city employees and the good jobs they do.

Communication: As I have in the past, by answering to their needs and complaints, and taking them to the city staff or board of aldermen.

Unavailable

Information for Prince Hudson and Donald LaRose was unavailable.

Lori (Schnurbusch) Carroll (City Collector)

Age: 47

Spouse: Terry

Children: Keith, Erin, Sarah, Brandon, Kara, Brian, Miranda and Brent all attend St. Vincent de Paul in Perryville.

Occupation: Currently not working outside the home.

Education: St. Vincent de Paul High School, Hickey School.

Memberships: St. Vincent de Paul Parish, St. Vincent Educational Foundation Board member

Reason for running: I enjoy interacting with people and with my previous employment with the city of Perryville, I feel like I have the experience and qualifications that is needed to be the next city collector.

Experience: Seven years' experience with the city of Perryville. Twenty-plus years of working and interacting with the public. Balanced daily and monthly cash receipts for 16-plus years. I am also familiar with the computer program and the daily operations of the city of Perryville.

Main challenges: Mailing and collecting real estate taxes, liquor licenses, occupational licenses and mobile home licenses. Compiling reports for the mayor and board of aldermen. Updating the computer system with tax information and balancing daily receipts.

Communication: I plan to be very loyal and personal with the residents.

Paula Huber Jackson (City Collector)

Age: 45

Spouse: N/A

Children: Katie Jackson 17, attends Perryville Senior High School

Employment: I have owned Travel Horizons Inc. in Perryville for the past 16 years.

Education: Graduate of Oak Ridge High School; Graduate of Southeastern Travel Academy, currently attending Mineral Area College

Memberships: Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce (former Board Member); American Society of Travel Agents; National Women's Business Owners Association; State of Missouri Woman-Owned Business Enterprise; International Airlines Travel Agency Network; American Legion Auxiliary; Knights of Columbus; AMVETS; Elks Lodge. Also active with Mayfest, Project Graduation and Senior Prom.

Reason for running: I have thought about it for quite some time and since the incumbent is not running for re-election I thought the time was right. Being a small-business owner, I feel it is time to enhance my future. I will still have the travel agency, and with help nothing will change.

Experience: I have 26 years of experience with the public. I have in-depth computer experience. I am a very organized, highly motivated and outgoing individual. I have a great rapport with people and am very familiar with the community.

Main challenges: I have spoken on may occasions to the present city collector, who is a friend of mine, and feel that it will be a different experience, but I look forward to the challenges it will bring.

Communication: If I am elected, I plan on treating everyone in a professional, courteous and friendly manner. If someone has a question I can't answer or a problem I can't solve, I will get that answer or find a solution. I hope to serve the people of Perryville and to perform the duties of city collector to the best of my ability.

David E. Soto Sr. (incumbent, Perry County hospital board)

Age: 52

Spouse: Joyce K. Soto (Bohnert)

Children: David Jr., 33; Eric, 3;, Vanessa 29; Holly 29; and

Alex, 21; they attended Perryville High and St. Vincent.

Employment: Project/Contracts Manager Hewlett-Packard

Education: N/A

Memberships: St. Vincent DePaul Parish, Knights of Columbus, Project Management Institute, National Rifle Association

Reason for running: I'm a strong believer in giving back for what you have. This community has given me many wonderful things, family and friends, great schools for my children, and just a wonderful life in general. Offering my management experience to the hospital board is just one way to say thank you to Perry County.

Experience: I think my many years of experience in corporate management have given me a

solid foundation and understanding of business structure, financial statements, contracts, and customer relations. I feel that the fact that my background is in the computer industry and not in health care is a strong point in that I view things with a different perspective. For example, I believe that patients should be treated like customers, not a commodity passing through the system. And when I say customers, I'm not just talking about the person receiving the care; I'm talking about that person's loved ones also. They too should be treated with respect and dignity. I think our hospital does an excellent job at this, but there's always room for improvement and continued focus is essential.

Main challenges: Recognizing our strengths in personnel and technology, I would propose that our most significant objective into the immediate future is the updating of our physical plant.

Advancing with the plan to modernize or replace our patient facilities is our priority. We are studying opportunities to build space that is more convenient to our patients and nurses, containing the latest technology to

support patient safety and minimize the risks of the spread of patient infections.

Main assets: Clearly, the quality of the personnel we employ. Our employee tenure averages 17 years, ranking in the top 25 percent for U.S. hospitals. That tenure translates to continuity in care; skilled, experienced staff; and a work force that knows our processes well.

Unavailable

Information for Larry Thieret and Anna Marie Zoellner was unavailable.