FREE ACCESS: Stoddard County commission candidates square off

The following three candidates are running on the Republican ticket for a seat as the District 2 representative for the Stoddard County Commission. Incumbent Carol Jarrell is challenged by Wes Howard and Jeff Riddle in Tuesday’s election.

All three candidates were presented with the same questions by the Dexter Statesman. Their answers are presented in ballot order.

There are no Democrat challengers for this race. The winner is the presumptive winner of the November general election.

Wes Howard

Age: 46

Spouse: Bonnie Howard

Children: Kalee, Jackson and Grant

Occupation: Crop consultant at Heartland Crop Consultants, LLC

Education: 1996 graduate of Dexter High School 2000, graduate of Harding University, bachelor’s degree in business administration

What policy changes or investments are necessary to encourage economic development in Stoddard County?

On a larger scale, we need to make sure our infrastructure is up to speed — roads, bridges, water, waste, communication technology like internet. We have to keep up in those areas so we are attractive and ready to accommodate a company or business that may consider moving in here, or (for) our own entrepreneurs to be willing to invest locally instead of a bigger populated area. On a smaller scale, we need to look inward and make sure we are being good stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars and spending them wisely. With the economy the way it is currently with high interest rates and high inflation we need to be as conservative as possible and make sure we have a buffer amount of money for emergencies.

Setting environmental and land use policy is a challenging issue area for county commissioners, especially in green energy. Does Stoddard County need land use regulations concerning solar farming?

This is a very tough topic to talk about. It would require a lot of research to be honest, but on the surface a few things I see are this. We have some of the best farmland in the world right here in our county and I would hate to see our farmers or that land eaten up by sprawling acres of solar panels. On the other side of the argument, a landowner should be able to make the best decision for his or her own situation as well, so it is a tough thing to talk about. There are environmental risks, shallow water table risks in our area, nearby crop contamination that could make someone’s crop unsellable, wildlife risks, disposal concerns, and a lot of unknown variables that I think need more time to come to the surface.

Should any part of the Stoddard County budget be shielded from cuts? And if so, which area?

Law enforcement branches need to be shielded. I will always stand for the needs of our sheriff’s department, our prosecutor’s office, and our coroner. To have a safe and desirable county and place to raise our family, we can’t cut corners on that. I think we can all agree on this point.

Carol Jarrell

Age: 81

Spouse: Clyde Jarrell Jr.

Children: Tom Jarrell and Sissy Brown

Occupations: Commissioner District II

Education: High School

Current Affiliations: Bootheel Regional Planning Commission Solid Waste Management District, BRPC board, Industrial Development Authority Foundations Board

What policy changes or investments are necessary to encourage economic development in Stoddard County?

I don’t think any policy changes need to happen at this time. We as a commission discuss if and when a policy needs to be addressed. The Stoddard County Commission works hand in hand with BRPC, Stoddard County IDA and the local Chamber of Commerce, to name a few, to help in this area. ARPA (federal American Rescue Plan Act) monies have helped many entities. We continue to strive to move forward in this area and bring economic growth to Stoddard County.

Setting environmental and land use policy is a challenging issue area for county commissioners, especially in green energy. Does Stoddard County need land use regulations concerning solar farming?

I don’t think Stoddard County needs to use regulations concerning solar farming. I do not feel I can go out and tell the farmer how to use his land.

Should any part of the Stoddard County budget be shielded from cuts? And if so, which area?

We have checks and balances on funding. We cannot spend more than revenues brought in. Salaries of the prosecuting attorney and the sheriff are mandated by the State of Missouri. The salary is set July 1 of every year. A public hearing is held every fiscal year for community input. We are the voice for our community and want all areas of local government to prosper and be adequately funded.

Jeff Riddle

Age: 56

Spouse: N/A

Children: Clayton and Eric Riddle

Occupation: Self-employed, JSR Environmental Services, LLC

Education: Associate of Arts degree from Three Rivers College in ag business.

Current Affiliations: Dexter Fire Department, chairman of the Bootheel Local Emergency Planning Committee, member of the Stoddard County Health Board and the Dexter Elks Lodge.

What policy changes or investments are necessary to encourage economic development in Stoddard County?

The Industrial Development Authority of Stoddard County is responsible for overseeing economic development in the county. The IDA is managed by a board of directors that make decisions and work throughout the year assisting current and new businesses. I would like to see the commissioners take a more active role by meeting with the IDA more often and by proposing to the board specific ideas for economic development in the county for the board to consider.

Setting environmental and land use policy is a challenging issue area for county commissioners, especially in green energy. Does Stoddard County need land use regulations concerning solar farming?

Government should not interfere with a landowner’s use of their own land. I am a strong believer in PROPERTY OWNER RIGHTS! Unnecessary regulations only lead to more unnecessary regulations. A landowner should have the right to use their land as they desire if it doesn’t interfere with other landowners’ use of their land. Stoddard County does not currently have any ordinances regarding solar farms being built or not being built in the county. It may now be too late to do so, as I understand that solar farms are already in the planning stages in Stoddard County and contracts have been signed between landowners and electric providers. Another hurdle is that commissions are very limited, if not prohibited, from enacting any regulations that affect agricultural lands. I am not an attorney, but I have looked at Missouri statutes that deal directly with agriculture land being used for purposes other than farming, and it appears this might not be a commission decision.

Should any part of the Stoddard County budget be shielded from cuts? And if so, which area?

All officeholders present a budget annually to the Stoddard County Clerk and the Stoddard County Commission. Each officeholder’s budget is gone over line item by line item. Adjustments are made in order to insure a balanced budget. As I said at the Farm Bureau candidate forum, I do not believe any officeholder should be given a blank check in respect to their annual requests.