Cape Girardeau Ward 3 Councilman candidate Victor R. Gunn

__Name:__ Victor R. Gunn

__Age:__ 68

__Place of birth:__ Cape Girardeau, Missouri

__Spouse, children's names:__ Wife, Mary V. Gunn

Adult daughter, Alexia Gunn Sander.

__Occupation:__ Retired Deputy Chief of Police

__Employer:__ Retired

__Businesses owned, all or part:__ None

__Previous offices held or sought:__ I have never sought local elected office.

__What makes you the best candidate for this position?:__

Having spent a career in law enforcement, I have the experience needed to ensure that Cape Girardeau continues to be a safe place to live and raise a family. Cape Girardeau has been home to my family for seven generations - five of those generations still reside here. I want the next five generations of my family to be able to live in the same safe community that we know and love.

__What are the biggest issues facing Ward 3 and how would you address them if elected?:__

Public safety is the issue that most Ward 3 residents have discussed with me. The City of Cape Girardeau must provide the pertinent resources and support to law enforcement in order to ensure that we proactively work to keep our city safe. I will use my experience to work within the Council and with law enforcement to develop a systematic approach to stop the surge in crime.

__How do you propose the city remain fiscally responsible?:__

I will work to ensure that all city funds are spent responsibly without adding additional burdens to the taxpayer. Having retired after a career in law enforcement, I have the time needed to study all budgetary items brought before the City Council in order to ensure that every dollar counts and is spent in a manner that will be of the greatest benefit to the citizens of Cape Girardeau.

__The fire sales tax is up for renewal in November. Do you support the measure? Why or why not?:__

While I believe that we must be careful in the approval of new taxes and fees, I support the renewal of the fire sales tax as it is a key component of public safety equipment budgets and is not a new tax or fee. Public safety relies on these monies and any elimination of them would require replacement funds from different sources. Our city must have the best equipment available to accomplish public safety missions