Profile: Kelly Francis, incumbent 2nd District Bollinger County Commissioner (R)

Date of birth: Aug 18, 1937

Place of birth: Grassy, Mo.

Spouse: Wanda

Children's names, ages: (all grown) Rick Francis, Karen Choate, Kathy Francis

Occupation: Livestock farmer

Employer: Retired from Bollinger County Co-op as general manager after 33 years.

Businesses owned, all or in part: 0

Public offices held (elective or appointive): Woodland School Board (17 years), secretary/treasurer Sheltered Workshop Board (1982 to present), incumbent Bollinger County Associate Commissioner, District 2.

Past political campaigns including year and office sought: 0

1. What strategies/improvements would you work to put in place to better equip Bollinger County for disasters like we've experienced this year (flooding, ice storms, tornadoes, etc.)?

Answer: We, the county commissioners, are currently involved in monthly meetings with other civic leaders and businessmen and women to see what can be done to alleviate the flooding such as we experienced this spring. Currently meetings are ongoing with both state and federal agencies.

2. What do you think the county could do to better equip individuals and businesses to respond to storm situations?

Answer: We need more people to get involved in the processes we've already begun to find solutions to the flooding. To help alleviate problems from a disaster when it comes we need to work together and participate with our emergency management team to help each other.

3. What experience/ideas do you have to help Bollinger County grow economically?

Answer: We need to work for a business friendly environment and encourage those employers who desire to expand in any way that we can. We need not only better county roads and bridges but we need to constantly push for a better highway system into Marble Hill. We need to be prepared to welcome industry and look for ways to attract it.

4. What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Answer: My experience, both at the Co-op and as a school board member (and president) both required much work with budgeting and working with people. There are a lot of responsibilities involved in being a commissioner. One of the biggest concerns is usually road conditions, but we also have to look at the whole picture which includes the responsibility of budgeting for the county.