Profile: Kenneth L. Waldron, Cape Girardeau County 1st District Commissioner (R)

Name: Kenneth L. Waldron

Date of birth: Oct. 18, 1941

Place of birth: Cape Girardeau

Spouse: Single

Children's names, ages: Len, 35; Matthew, 32; Charles, 29

Occupation: Businessman, legal assistant, consultant

Employer: Self-employed

Businesses owned, all or in part: Eagle Environmental Products, Inc.

Public offices held (elective or appointive): City attorney, Jackson

Past political campaigns including year and office sought: None

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: I favor the "pay as you go" approach, but try to go as far as the yearly budget will allow. As to issuing bonds to be paid by the tax, I would be cautious here on this approach until there is some type of firm determination made that the bonds will be purchased at a fair price. Some years ago, there was a detailed procedure set up in the Missouri Revised Statutes for industrial development projects to issue bonds. It was a good idea and very detailed, except for the fact that no one would buy the bonds. So, unless there is an established market to sell them without having to take a deep discount, it would be better to wait on the bond matter or not rely on bonds at this time.

Chip and seal should be used for the "proper" roads. The general consensus is that this process will work well on roads that are not heavily traveled. So, it will only go so far and is not a total answer. We should move forward and stay current on reports as to use of roads having this process used on them. This process has not worked well in some places, and if the status reports are the same in this county then other alternatives should be followed. There have been suggestions by some that when roofers dump the contents of old asphalt-shingled roofs they remove, they should dump the shingles in a certain place. There a machine should be used to transform the asphalt shingles back into asphalt particles which can be spread on the county roads at much lesser expense that current gravel spreading and it will stay longer. This is a good example of things that can be studied by the right people and reports can be made to the commission for their action to result in savings of tax dollars and increase in county services.

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: The storm-water control ordinance needs to be given further study so that an acceptable ordinance can be passed before the Missouri Department of Natural Resources requires that certain requirements be enacted and put in place as they see fit. This is an issue that needs to be resolved and the voters need to be informed about this issue.

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

Answer: After a study and report is made public, the voters should also pass [judgment] on whether they feel that extra time and expense should be incurred to broadcast the sessions of the county commission on public access cable TV or the Web.

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

Answer: The peripheral zoning efforts by the city of Cape Girardeau and whether limited planning and zoning controls should be enacted in the county should be studied and revisited as part of future planning.

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

Answer: 1. The annual salary and benefits for this position amount to a substantial sum of money. I feel that my background, experience and proven interest in Jackson and the out-county area is the best way for the people's tax dollars to be spent for this position.

2. One way to keep Cape Girardeau County strong is to elect the best-qualified person for District 1 county commissioner on which to spend the substantial amount of money for salary and benefits that go with that position. I filed for the office because I truly believe I am that person.

3. My legal and business background has provided me with many years of experience in dealing with problems experienced daily by city and county governments. I have learned from my successes and I have also learned from my share of mistakes along the way.

4. Another way to keep Cape Girardeau County strong is to be able to provide the best qualified assistance to Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones as Gerald handles the lion's share of the commission's business. I have worked with Gerald since the late 1960s in many capacities and I feel I can be a productive asset to him and District 2 Commissioner Jay Purcell from the very start. I view the opportunity as one where I would enjoy working together and the service provided to the county where I was born.

5. I feel I can work very well with the other commissioners because I respect their records of dedication and service. I have always had an open-door policy for issues and concerns and will continue such policy when elected to this important office. I feel Jackson and the out-county areas have given my family and me a great deal, and performing well in this office would be an excellent way to say thanks to everyone.

6. I believe my background in law, business, civic affairs and agriculture has given me a strong skill set in areas important to county government and administration. I believe my wide-ranging experience will enable me to be a positive force for growth with fiscal responsibility as Cape Girardeau County navigates these particularly uncertain economic times.

7. My training and experience is the right kind of experience and training to assure immediate productive results in this important position.

8. My ideas about how to handle current issues and matters of county business present an organized and effective method of those issues and matters.

9. Jay Purcell, District 2 commissioner for Cape Girardeau, has recently filed a lawsuit against the Cape Girardeau County Commission that is and will be pending in the court system from and after the election date. My legal background with such matters, particularly the open meetings laws and decisions as well as civil lawsuits in general, will enable me to better understand and assist in the situation and to keep the county business running properly during that process of a trial of the action or any appeals made thereafter.