Don Bickowski, who is one of the three remaining members of the first Jefferson County Council that was seated in 2011, has drawn a strong challenge in the Aug. 7 Republican Party’s primary election.
Bickowski is seeking a third four-year term, but first must defeat Brian Haskins, a former board member of the Northwest R-1 School District, High Ridge Fire Protection District and the Jefferson County Parks Foundation.
The winner of the Republican primary will face Robert “Cob” Constantz of House Springs in the November general election.
District 1 includes the Byrnes Mill, Hoene Springs, Parkdale, Murphy and High Ridge areas.
County council representatives are paid $10,978 a year.
HASKINS, 62, lives at 6699 Pear Tree Valley, High Ridge. He and his wife, Becky, have four children and 10 grandchildren. He owns and operates a self-storage business in High Ridge. He is a 1974 graduate of Northwest High School and attended Jefferson College. He is a member of St. Anthony’s Parish in High Ridge. He has been a member of the High Ridge Rotary Club since 2007 and the Northwest Chamber of Commerce since 2002. He was elected to the Northwest R-1 Board of Education for a three-year term from 2009-2012 and the High Ridge Fire Protection District’s Board of Directors for a six-year term from 2009-2015. He also was a member of the Jefferson County Parks Foundation from 2011-2015 and the Missouri Self-Storage Association board from 2008-2017.
BICKOWSKI, 61, lives at 3275 Fox Run Estates, Eureka. He has two stepchildren and two grandchildren with his wife, Sue. He is a senior network engineer for Color-Art Office Interiors in St. Louis. He is a 1975 graduate of Mona Shores (Michigan) High School, studied electronics engineering from 1975-1976 at Michigan Technological University and in 2017, completed the Chancellors Program for Fundamentals of Economic Development through the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He is a founding member and vice president of the Jefferson County Pachyderms.
Social media: Website: http://www.citizens4bickowski.com Facebook: Don Bickowski for Jefferson County Council
What specific needs exist in your County Council district, and how would you address them?
Haskins: We need to look at things that help drive economic development for our district. We need more employment opportunities, especially high-quality union jobs, and growth. Having good parks and schools help drive that growth through increased demand in housing and help achieve a higher quality of life. We need to look at ways to continue to improve the safety of our roads and bridges, which could include lighting, shoulders, rumble strips and signage. We need more playgrounds, park pavilions, walking trails and a pool for our families and seniors.
Bickowski: The top issues in any district are infrastructure to grow and public safety. While state funding has been very tight, District 1 has seen major highway safety improvements that continue today along Hwys. W, FF and 30. Working with the sewer districts, we have provided a path to expand that is not dependent on the county and is critical for growth. I was committed to find funding for more sheriff’s deputies and you responded by passing Proposition P. A fully completed athletic park on Byrnesville Road and a (nearly completed) Animal Resource Center on Hwy. 30 have been realized.
What grade would you give the current County Council and why? What improvements would you make?
Haskins: C-. The bad press and negativity caused by the County Council because of their poor decisions and failed leadership has been at times an embarrassment. The biggest improvement I can think of would be to elect me to the council to bring common sense and leadership, so I can help build a positive image of trustworthiness and friendly service to residents from the County Council.
Bickowski: I would give the council a solid “B.” While it has been a challenge for the council to overcome the lack of independent legal advice and limited communication from the County Executive, there continues to be a record of accomplishment. To name a few:
■ Revamping the planning and zoning process to be more competitive with surrounding counties.
■ Updating the Sheriff’s Office pay matrix.
■ Reducing the property tax while increasing reserves.
■ Changes to the septic system code to allow for repair of failed systems, no longer forcing a system replacement of $20,000 or more.
How will you vote on the internet sales tax proposal and why?
Haskins: Given the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding this issue, internet shopping should be treated, from a sales tax perspective, the same as our brick-and-mortar stores. I will vote yes for the proposition. As more and more shopping is done online, it will eventually erode the way we have funded local government if we are not collecting local sales tax from internet shopping.
Bickowski: Issues of this type must be brought before the voters. While the County Council was looking at this issue, it became apparent local businesses were at a disadvantage. With the U.S. Supreme Court case overturning the long-standing exemption for certain internet sales, it is time to put this before the voters. While I generally do not like additional taxes, this proposal will make sure the tax that will be collected will make it to Jefferson County and hopefully allow us to reduce the property tax back to zero and further fund the Sheriff’s Office.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Haskins: I am a better choice than my opponent. He has been there for eight long years and it’s time for a change. My goals would be to bring common sense, good leadership and respectfulness to the County Council. I will work hard to help improve our quality of life. We need more jobs, better jobs, more parks and recreation opportunities. We have more than 60,000 people who live in the Hwy. 30 corridor and we don’t have a pool or a water park to go to.
Bickowski: I have been a faithful servant of the people and have become a trusted leader throughout the county while upholding my pledge of “principles, not politics.” I made the commitment to the residents I serve to be up-to-date on issues that affect them. The personal sacrifice in the countless hours of meetings that you must attend to be properly informed is a huge obligation that very few are willing to make. I always make myself available to provide my constituents the benefits of this knowledge to make sure that their voices are heard.