Bollinger County Commission, District 2 -- Stephen Jordan

Name: Stephen M. Jordan

Party: Republican

Birth: June 4, 1958, Marble Hill, Mo.

Spouse, children: Darlene; Chris, 27, Amanda, 25

Occupation: Truck driver

Employer: Bo Co Coop

Businesses owned: Farm, raising cattle

Public office held: None

Past political campaigns and offices sought: None

Question 1: What is the most important issue facing the District 2 Bollinger County Commissioner?

Answer: With our economic crisis escalating in the United States, our local government will likely suffer most. State and federal funding will not be as accessible as in the past. The tax basis will likely decline as the cost of living has raced away from our wages; leaving soon-to-be homebuyers on hold. Managing a budget yet keeping the county operable and efficient is our greatest issue.

Question 2: What in your background or education makes you qualified for this office?

Answer: I have maintained my employment for 32 years and my residency for 50 years in Bollinger County. I have not become wealthy but I have been blessed to live among friends and family, doing what I like to do. Aside from my work in the local Co-op, my wife Darlene and I own and operate a small cattle farm. The experience of working for and living with my fellow Bollinger County residents for these years helps me understand their needs and will aid most in my service to them.

Question 3: Why are you better qualified than your opponent?

Answer: Again, I will say being a lifelong resident and employee of Bollinger County has given me the opportunity to know and be known in Bollinger County. I have learned of the people and from the people on a personal level. I have always tried to do a good job for the customer and be as honest, fair, and unbiased as I could. I believe I have earned the trust of the people in how I would operate the duties of this office.

Question 4: What is the best use of the county's financial resources -- roads, flood abatement or economic development?

Answer: All three of these issues will require county resources at various ratings and times. Rural roads must be kept up for residents and visitors to commute freely in and out of our county. With much increased travel over the years, road maintenance has become an even greater expense. First to have more economic development and flood abatement projects; we must maintain our roads. Secondly, the commission will always be involved in economic development in the county, yet the greater influence lies with the residents of Bollinger County, both rural and urban. How much development, what kind of development and how big do you want our community to look like are questions that have to be agreed upon by the residents and officials in order to grow. With economic growth, the tax basis may increase and ease some of the budgeting difficulties, but the bottom line is up to county residents as a whole. Lastly, flood abatement is a recurring problem with wider controls scrutinized by DNR and ACOE. We are not the only ones who live and sometimes build in floodplains. With proper permits and hopefully some changes in the legislature to keep our streams open, this issue will be addressed continually, with the country kicking in its portion with the help of state and federal funding.

Question 5: How should the county commission best make itself available and accessible to the public?

Answer: For many years residents have been welcome to join and bring problems and issues to commission meetings. Availability starts with each individual commissioner. We must give up enough of our time to hear what individuals, county departments and agencies have on their agendas. Your questions must be asked in order for the commission to answer. Open doors and phones are a must. The commission works for the residents who make up the county.