Profile: Pat Wissman, Cape Girardeau County 1st District Commissioner (D)

Name: Pat Wissman

Date of birth: April 6, 1957

Place of birth: Cape Girardeau

Spouse: Brenda (Ludwig) Wissman

Children's names, ages: Joe Wissman, 31; Jessica Moore, 25; Amanda Schniedermeyer, 21.

Occupation: Retired. Recently liquidated my business to devote 100 percent of my time toward this office.

Employer: None.

Businesses owned, all or in part: None

Public offices held (elective or appointive): None

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: With most new programs, the initial startup is slow. Progress is being made but has been hindered by forces of nature and the unforeseen rising cost of materials. The program has not met the expectations of all voters who approved the sales tax. Some residents who are directly impacted by this program are unaware of the length of time from initial application to road completion.

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 county commission should not enact the storm-water control ordinance as written. There are provisions within the ordinance that allow persons or government entities to be exempted from applying for approval of a storm-water management plan and obtaining the necessary permits before commencing any development activity.

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

Answer: Yes. This would allow all residents the opportunity to view the county commission meetings. This will provide a record of the meetings to be archived for future reference. This will allow the residents to be aware of everything that goes on in the meetings, not just what is reported by the local media.

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

Answer: The discussions on peripheral zoning are premature. First the city of Cape Girardeau needs to enforce the same standards inside city limits as they are proposing for the county.

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

Answer: I will be a full-time commissioner with the office receiving 100 percent of my attention. I do not have any outside business or additional employment that will take my attention away from the office and the residents of our county.

I feel my experience in the transportation industry as well as my involvement in road, bridge and erosion projects in Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana qualifies me to oversee the roads and bridges in the District 1 commissioner's job description.

I will bring integrity, honesty and accountability with me to this office.