Profile: Joe Bob Baker, Cape Girardeau County 1st District Commissioner (R)

Name: Joe Bob Baker

Date of birth: Aug. 30, 1952

Place of birth: Sikeston, Mo.

Spouse: Joy

Children's names, ages: Ryan, 30; Kandra, 26

Occupation: Self-employed.

Businesses owned, all or in part: President and owner, B&B Auto Salvage, Jackson.

Public offices held (elective or appointive): Jackson Board of Alderman, Ward 4.

Past political campaigns including year and office sought: Elected alderman 1999. Re-elected in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008.

1. Evaluate the progress of the county road improvement program. Has it met the expectations of voters who approved the sales tax in August 2006? If not, why not.

Answer: One of the first things I would explore is can we accelerate the accelerated paving plan by bonding larger amounts of projects to lock in lower current construction costs. Whether it is feasible or not, I don't know, but it is something that should be brought to the table and explored. Also, as a commissioner we need to work hard at getting easements, but not through eminent domain. I personally have been through this process, and I certainly don't want to have to send other people down that road. We must gain the people's trust, then we will gain their cooperation. We want the people to trust us, but we must earn their trust. The existing commission did a great thing by appointing a Citizens Advisory Board. These are good men doing good work and if fortunate enough to be elected commissioner, I will work with them, not against them. The next commissioner must personally devote time to meet with landowners has have issues or problems with easements and paving. I pride myself on being a person that listens to both sides of a problem before making a decision.

2. Should the county commission enact the storm-water control ordinance that has been under consideration for the past several years? If yes, how should it be enforced? If no, are you opposed because of particular provisions in the ordinance or because of a philosophical opposition?

Answer: I am in favor of a common-sense ordinance approach to new subdivisions built in areas that will potentially dump large amounts of storm-water runoff into already stressed watersheds. Over a period of years, construction projects with concrete streets and parking lots have the potential of causing major problems. These types of projects should have to build retention basins adequate enough to slow rapid water runoff before it hits the main creeks and waterways. Being an alderman with the Jackson Board of Aldermen, I have worked with Jackson's storm-water ordinance. I believe that the county should enforce a similar ordinance that should be coordinated by the prosecuting attorney.

3. Should county commission meetings be broadcast on the Web or on public access cable TV? Explain.

Answer: I don't have a problem with the use of webcams or public TV access. This government is open to the public, elected by the public, and as such we should always make sure that the public has the ability to see what is happening in our government settings.

4. How do you feel about the city of Cape Girardeau's discussions of peripheral zoning?

Answer: First let me say I have not seen all of Cape Girardeau's Comprehensive Plan. At this time, I believe that Cape Girardeau is going to go before the commission to discuss peripheral subdivision regulations for an area up to two miles beyond the Cape Girardeau city limits. Their concern is that many subdivisions do not meet current city codes and regulations. Specific concerns include items such as streets, sewers, building codes and storm water. In the future if these subdivisions have problems they might ask to be annexed into Cape Girardeau city limits. If this is allowed, Cape Girardeau would spend a great deal of money to bring these subdivisions up to their current codes and regulations. I believe they are asking for peripheral regulations to subdivisions of more than four lots. I certainly understand Cape Girardeau's request these subdivision regulations and understand that this could be protection for people buying their home out in the county. We certainly want anyone who builds subdivisions and homes anywhere in Cape Girardeau County to follow good building practices. In Jackson, anyone who requests annexation into the city limits must bring their subdivision up to the current standard of codes and regulations before they are annexed into the city. Right now, I cannot make a good decision on this until I have more information regarding this issue.

Another part of Cape Girardeau's Comprehensive Plan that I have read pertains to annexing a great deal of property around the county. What we must remember is a comprehensive plan is a guide only, and I don't know if Cape Girardeau plans on pursuing all these issues. What I have read so far I am very much opposed to. If Cape Girardeau or Jackson wants to expand their city limits they must do it by friendly annexation. If they try forced annexation, there will be much opposition from people who do not want any zoning regulations or restrictions. It was made clear in 2001 when the people voted against planning and zoning in the county. What people must remember when you purchase a home in the county, outside city limits; you have no protection regarding zoning issues. The county is where our family farms with cows, chickens and horses, make their livings and also where many people such as myself hunt turkeys, deer and enjoy the outdoors. I believe there will be much opposition to any attempts to forced annexation. I am very much opposed to any type of forced annexation.

Also in Cape Girardeau's Comprehensive Plan was to try to look at changing the Jackson R-2 School District. I am very much opposed to Jackson R-2 losing any of its district. Jackson has served this district for years and should continue to do so. Many people when choosing to build or purchase a home take the school district into consideration. I believe that when people buy their homes in the county, they knew that they were buying into the Jackson School District. I feel it unfair to change that on them.

5. What makes you the best candidate for the position?

Answer: First and foremost I want folks to know that I am not a flashy, eloquent speaker, but what I say comes from the heart and my word is my bond. I was raised in this county, living and growing up in Cape Girardeau, I lived for 13 years outside Millersville in the county and am presently living in the city limits of Jackson. I wear work clothes every day and have never been afraid to get my hands dirty. For the last eight years, I have served the city of Jackson as an alderman, serving not only my ward, Ward 4, but have also served every ward in Jackson. I always study the issues we were working on in advance of the meetings, so I could make good decisions for the people of Jackson. In my eight years on the board, I missed one meeting. I was always there to vote on many tough issues, I always treated everyone the same; with respect. I never let anyone influence my decisions and will continue to do just that. I have always felt that I was the people's communication line to their government. This is the way our system is supposed to work. We must always have an honest and open government and I feel that we must earn the people's trust. My campaign motto is: "Hard Work Makes Great Things Happen!" I believe in this and practice it every day. As a small-business owner I know the everyday struggles that government regulations can cause. As a commissioner I will only support common-sense ordinances and will never vote to enact any heavy-handed ordinances. The presiding commissioner is the contact for the sheriff's office; the 2nd District commissioner is the contact for the parks department and the District 1 commissioner is the contact for the highway department. None of these functions require you to be an expert in any of these fields. If you keep up with the commission's weekly agenda you will see that decisions concerning roads and paving are just a small part of the overall agenda of the county. I am not an expert on paving roads, but I will surround myself with people who are.

Over the years many have promised to be a full-time commissioner. My word is my bond. I will be a full-time commissioner. I have always felt I was a full-time alderman and I have always been available for the people of Jackson and I will always be available for the people of Cape Girardeau County. The commission meets publicly on Mondays and Thursdays. With many holidays falling on Monday there are numerous weeks during the year when there is only one public meeting a week. If elected, I would like to make a motion that we automatically have a public agenda meeting on the Tuesday following a Monday holiday to give the general public more time to meet with their commissioners. I am ready to put my experience as a small-business owner and a city alderman to work in a common-sense manner for all Cape Girardeau County. I am Joe Bob Baker, and I am asking for your vote to become the next District 1 commissioner.

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