Scott County election Q&A: Five vying for Scott County First District Commissioner

BENTON, Mo. — Scott County voters have several candidates to choose from in the race for the First District Commissioner in the Aug. 6 Primary Election.

On the Republican ballot, voters will choose between five candidates: David F. Hough, John Klueppel, Jim Simmons Sr., Will Watson and Michael Williams. There are no Democratic candidates. Terry Cole currently serves as the First District Commissioner, and he chose not to seek re-election.

The First District consists of the following townships and precincts: Richland Township: Miner precinct and Sikeston Ward 1, Ward 2, Ward 3, and Ward 4 precincts; Rootwad Township: McMullin precinct; and Morley Township: Haywood City, Morley and Vanduser precincts. Voters of these precincts will choose the First District commissioner.

To help voters get to know the candidates, the Standard Democrat has compiled information in a question-and-answer format with them. The following responses were provided by Hough, Klueppel, Watson and Williams. Simmons opted not to participate in the Q&A.

Background:

Hough: I was born and raised in the First District of Scott County. I am a graduate of Sikeston High School and Southeast Missouri State University. I am married to the former Lee Ann Beck. We have three daughters, three sons-in-law, three granddaughters and two grandsons. I have worked in agriculture for over 50 years. I have also worked in the farm machinery and insurance industry. I have been a member of the Sikeston Jaycees for 46 years. I have served on the Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Board and was the 1985 General Chairman of the Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo.

Klueppel: I have lived in Sikeston for 35 years; 33 of those married to my lovely wife, Marilyn. We have four children: Mary Liz (Brown), Anna Kate, Jack and Vincent. I graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in agricultural economics. I have worked for Corteva Agrisciences/Pioneer-Dupont for 22 years as a territory manager selling seed and crop protection products. Prior to that, I worked for UAP Midsouth in sales and Carson Chemical/American Crop Service as a manager and co-owner. I have been a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church since I first moved to Sikeston 35 years ago. I have served on many church/school committees there, as well as being a member of the Knights of Columbus, Sikeston Jaycees and the Sikeston Elks Lodge.

Watson: My work experience started on the family farm in Scott County at age 12. My dedication and long work hours proved to be a driving force to succeed in my future careers. I’ve been married for almost 42 years to my wife Collette (Mather) of Sikeston. We have four daughters and eight grandchildren. I graduated from Missouri S&T with a degree in mechanical and electrical engineering. Upon graduation, I’ve had the opportunity to work in many fields. This gave me exceptional work experience in various sectors.

Williams: I am a lifelong resident of the Scott County/Sikeston area. I grew up in Morley and attended Scott County Central High School. My mother and aunt still live where I grew up in Morley. I have lived in the Sikeston area for 36 years. I have been married to my beautiful wife, Terri, for 31 years; we have two sons and eight grandchildren. Scott County is my home and it is important to me. I worked at Sikeston Department of Public safety for 27 years, and I am currently working at Scott County Sheriff’s Office where I’ve been for the past four years.

What do you think the biggest issue the county is likely to face during your term if elected?

Hough: Finances. The county is currently facing some major expenditures. The courthouse is in need of some critical repairs. The county is going to have to build two additional courtrooms, as ordered by the Missouri Supreme Court. To pay for the repairs to the existing courthouse and to build the two additional courtrooms, the commissioners will need to be smart and creative.

Klueppel: The biggest issue that our county faces is having enough revenue to cover the operating expenses of the county. Inflation affects the county the same as it affects us all individually. The budget must be managed accordingly. The county operates on sales tax revenue; therefore, it is very important that we support our local businesses to help them grow, increase sales, hopefully hire more employees and increase revenue for the county to better provide services.

Watson: Our biggest issues are the courthouse preservation, bridges and employee retention. Our 112-year-old courthouse is in need of some major exterior repairs. The exterior terracotta is crumbling and the windows are old, single pain and leaking. The interior is also in need of some major fixes and updates, like lighting and HVAC. We currently have one bridge condemned, and approximately 10 more that that will be in need of some major repairs or replacement soon. We have several employees that are nearing retirement, and have some departments like road and bridges as well as the sheriff’s office that have an employee turn over greater than they would like.

Williams: One of the biggest issues will be working together to keep a balanced budget, while continuing to complete current and future projects, within budget with two new commissioners. I would also add there may be changes in other elected officials in the county that will also be trying to learn and develop their systems. The county must maintain the current infrastructure but also maintain a competitive payscale to keep current fully-trained employees to provide quality and great service to our citizens.

What issues do you think are the most important to the county?

Hough: Trust. I believe the citizens of Scott County should be able to trust that the commissioners, sheriff’s office and all of the other county employees are working in the best interest of the county.

Klueppel: It is also vital we attract new businesses that will bring forth new jobs. Optimistically, these new jobs will bring new citizens to our county. Available housing for potential new citizens is also very important and will help stimulate the economy. Maintaining, as well as improving, our infrastructure is critical. Our roads and bridges must be safe and useable for everyone. Rural roads and bridges must be kept safe and accessible for the large equipment and trucks our farmers travel these roads with. Drainage along our county roads must be maintained. Public safety should be our top priority, making sure to help our local law enforcement be efficient and effective. Along with our safety, supporting our schools and continuously trying to improve education for our children is vital for our future.

Watson: Some of the most important issues facing the new commissioners in the upcoming years, is a lot of building maintenance, updates/upgrades and construction. This is in addition to many of the bridges having to undergo major repairs or replacements and roads that need significant corrections. The decommissioned county landfill is also needing some changes and improvements to continue its EPA-compliance going forward.

Williams: Roadways and bridges are an important issue. There are a lot of repairs that are needed for our citizens and our future. We need more school resource officers at our schools. The children are our future and need to be protected. Other issues are repairing the courthouse and maintaining county properties; more tax revenue from our interstate travelers, such as hotels and restaurants along I-55; better communication with the public from commissioners. I have been asked several dozen times what a commissioner does and when they meet. Several mentioned Facebook live about the law enforcement tax and wanted more on current events.

If elected, what are your goals?

Hough: If elected, it is my hope that the county is a better place to live and is in better financial shape when I leave office than when I took office.

Klueppel: To build relationships and work closely with the commissioners, the other elected officials and everyone involved to manage the county as efficiently as possible. My ultimate goal is to help the area of district one and Scott County grow, thrive and continue to be a great place to live and work.

Watson: My goals when elected are to improve the day-to-day operations of the county and to address the needs of the county residents, and improve its cooperation with the other elected officials and county municipalities. I also believe in order to address the needs of the residents and grow our tax base while not raising taxes (hopefully, lowering them) we need to improve our local workforce skills and knowledge. This will give the county the ability to draw in new retailers as well as manufacturing facilities, and move forward with “Build, Shop and Buy” in Scott County.

Williams: To have each office set up budget prep sheets for one to five years to get their expected expenses for each of those years, such as vehicles, copiers, roadway projects, and computer upgrades. This would allow the commissioners to have one- to five-year budget prep sheets to lay out a budget plan for each year. I would like to hire a full-time grant writer to get grants from MoDOT, state of Missouri and the federal government to aid in roadway repairs, infrastructure repairs and disaster preparedness. I would love to get more retail businesses along interstate I-55 for more tax revenue.

Why should the voters pick you (experience or other)?

Hough: In my life, I have had to put together financial statements, secure operating loans and work within a variety of budgets. As a land owner, I have had dealings with county commissioners and special road districts. Through my experiences, I have dealt with a variety of people with different personalities. I feel that an open line of communication between a commissioner and the public is extremely important. When reflecting on my total life experiences and knowledge, I believe that I am as qualified as any one of the my opponents. If the citizens of the First District of Scott County elect me as their commissioner, they will never have to worry where my allegiance lies. I am from the First District of Scott County and for the First District of Scott County, always! Your vote on Aug. 6 would be greatly appreciated.

Klueppel: I have lived and worked in Scott County my entire life. I know many people throughout the First District and the county, and I know the area very well. Throughout my career in agri-business, I have managed sales budgets, expense budgets, inventory, employees, operations and construction projects. I currently work with many ag retailers around Southeast Missouri to sell our products. I help them with planning and managing their business. I also work with many farmers around the area, helping them make decisions and solve problems in their operations. My experience in sales has helped me become a good listener to learn what my customers’ needs and wants are. In my activities away from work, I have always been involved in helping lead and manage these groups, whether it’s in my church, various other groups or the teams my kids were on. All of these experiences help me to have the ability to serve in the commissioner role. I will be asking for input and open to new ideas on issues that we face. I will work hard in this role because I would love for my kids and your kids to have the opportunity to live and work here if they choose. Please consider voting for John Klueppel as Scott County First District Commissioner.

Watson: Voters should pick me because I have well-rounded and diverse work experiences. Once I retired and moved back to the area, I vowed to make a difference. In order to do so, I found myself attending many local meetings such as the Sikeston City Council, Scott County 911 and the Scott County Commissioner meetings. I’ve attended the City Council meetings for approximately 2-½ years and the County Commissioner for over 1-½ years. Since I’m retired, I was able to jump in with both feet and volunteer where needed. I’m now serving on the Planning and Zoning, Traffic and SEMO advisory board for the City of Sikeston. I’m also very involved at my local church and have the ability to help on the family farm when needed. I’m a hard worker, have integrity and am sincere. Due to my engineering, construction and business background, I have a unique perspective to see things others might miss and suggest changes if needed. In conclusion, I am the most qualified candidate with my vast work experiences and knowledge of various fields.

Williams: Scott County’s First District residents deserve a full-time, 24/7 commissioner, not someone who already has a job, but someone who has experience in all areas, which have lived, worked here and invested their whole life here. I will be that full-time Scott County commissioner out in the public every day. For the past 31 years, I have been a full-time public service worker. I’m out in this district everyday. I know it and the great people in it. I have seen the roads and bridges. I have the experience and knowledge in the areas of balancing a large budget very similar to the Scott County budget. I have personally written, received and maintained grants for Sikeston DPS. My daily duties include problem-solving and working with other surrounding, state and federal agencies to get help and closure for victims. I know public safety, as a certified police officer and trained firefighter. I have responded to thousands of emergencies. I have worked and been in charge of emergencies, major events, disasters, such as the ice storm of 2009 and the floods of 2011. If elected, my focus will be the safety and future of Scott County and all its citizens.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6.