Riddle announces run for commission

Lifelong Stoddard County resident Jeff Riddle has announced he will run for District 2 county commissioner.

“I’m running for county commissioner in District 2 because (of the) opportunity (for) change, I feel that it is the time to lead the county in a direction that is a better future for the citizens of Stoddard County,” Riddle said in a statement.

If elected, he pledged to continue to live in the district for as long as he was commissioner.

“I have two sons and am dedicated to the future of Stoddard County during these challenging times that require and demand that we have competent and effective leadership,” Riddle said.

Riddle shared he has public safety experience, including more than 30 years with the Dexter Fire Department and thousands of hours of emergency response training.

“My years of service have shown me how important Public Safety is to Stoddard County. As Commissioner, I will always support our first responders and the agencies they represent,” he said. “I’m a board member of the Stoddard County Health Department, also the chairman of the Bootheel Local Emergency Planning Committee, which consists of eight counties in the Bootheel of Missouri.”

Riddle is self-employed, specializing in hazmat response, disaster preparedness and recovery after a natural disaster.