JACKSON -- Doug Flannery, 39, of Whitewater plans to run for Cape Girardeau County commission on the Democratic ticket.

Flannery hopes to unseat District 1 Commissioner Larry Bock of Gordonville, a Republican.

The filing period opens today.

District 1 covers Jackson, all of the out-county and Ward 17 on the west side of Cape Girardeau.

A lifelong county resident, Flannery lives on the family farm near Lake Girdeau.

He is a graduate of Jackson High School and the Cape Girardeau Vocational-Technical School's electronics program. He was a member of Future Farmers of America through high school.

He works for Penzel Construction Co. of Jackson and is a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 513 in Cape GirHe also is involved with the family-owned Flannery Fur Hide & Root Co. in Cape Girardeau County.

Flannery was superintendent of heavy highway, commercial and residential grading for J.H. Berra Inc., a St. Louis construction company.

He has been involved with residential and commercial street projects, as well as county and state highway road and bridge construction.

The District 1 commissioner oversees the county's highway department. Flannery said his construction background would help him deal with that task.

"I believe the county road and bridge department can operate more efficiently and make better use of its generous taxpayer funds," he said.

Projects need to be spread more widely throughout the county, Flannery said.

Flannery opposes efforts for countywide planning and zoning.

"I believe that the county has seen its best growth in history without the use of planning and zoning," he said, adding that family business, such as his would suffer from planning and zoning.

"Planning and zoning will only create more bureaucracy and expense to the county when the funds could be better spent on road and bridge projects," he said.

Flannery loves bass fishing and hunting.

He has led efforts to improve fishing and the recreational facilities at Lake Girardeau near Crump.

Flannery, who was confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, is married. He and his wife, Sandra Kay, have a son.