Incumbent Charles Groeteke faces fellow Republican Leslie Cheek in a bid to retain his seat on the Jefferson County Council in the Aug. 6 election.
Groeteke is seeking his fourth term representing District 4. He won an initial two-year term on the original council in 2011 then was defeated when he ran for re-election in 2012. He returned for four-year terms in 2016 and 2020.
Because no Democrats filed for the seat, the winner of the Republican party’s primary will be sworn into the four-year term in January.
District 4 covers the cities of Arnold and Kimmswick along with unincorporated portions of Imperial and Barnhart.
County council representatives are paid $11,650 a year.
Cheek, 60, of Barnhart is a real estate broker. She has three children and four grandchildren. She graduated from Ste. Genevieve High School in 1981 and attended Jefferson College and the University of Northern Virginia.
Leslie Cheek
Groeteke, 69, of Barnhart is a retired maintenance machinist with Marquette Tool and Die Company. He and his spouse Sharon have one daughter. He graduated from Southwest High School in 1973 and received a Chancellor’s Certificate in Planning and Zoning at the University of Missouri in St. Louis.
Charles Groeteke
What experience do you have that might serve you in this position?
Cheek: Church committees and worked at Arnold Food Pantry.
Groeteke: 3-year term on the Rock Township Ambulance District Board of Directors, nine years on the Jefferson County Council, three years as chairman of the County Council, and many years as vice chairman of the County Council, other leadership roles include Republican committeeman for Imperial Township, past president of the Jefferson County Pachyderm Club, past president of the St. Louis Karting Association, formerly held the position of International Kart Federation Missouri State governor.
What specific needs exist in your district, and how would you address them?
Cheek: In our district, the urgent needs are jobs, jobs, and more jobs, alongside supporting our local small businesses. Many blue-collar and middle-class residents commute outside the county for work, and small business owners face excessive taxes with little return. Over-regulation in the past decade has harmed our small businesses and the working class. Instead of adding more rules, I will engage small business owners, chamber members, and unionized blue-collar workers to address their concerns directly, ensuring policies support economic growth and job creation.
Groeteke: Infrastructure. Road improvements are at the top of the list. Many improvements were made with the adoption of the 2021 County Road Safety Plan. Seckman Road and Old Lemay Ferry Road improvements are examples. Stormwater is a major concern as the county develops. Careful planning to protect our citizens is essential to eliminate some of the flooding issues we have seen in the past and avoid adding more flood problems in new areas. Planning for developments must include traffic management measures and playground space should be considered around the more densely developed areas. Parks should be expanded as funding allows.
What grade would you give the current County Council and why? What improvements would you make?
Cheek: I give our County Council an F because of their leadership and failure to address infrastructure decay, lack of transparency in decision-making, and inadequate response to community needs. They fail to listen to first responders, business leaders, and religious congregations, prioritizing their ideas and listening to those yelling the loudest. This neglect resulted in negative growth across our school districts over the last 10 years. Our school districts drop in rankings consistently. We have also priced our seniors and elderly out of the community where they can no longer afford to live in the county where they raised their kids.
Groeteke: B+. The council has done well with the tax dollars of the citizens. Many programs have been started that benefit the taxpayers without imposing tax increases. There will always be a difference of opinion among the members of the council caused by different needs in each of the seven districts. The primary function of the body can be improved by better participation of the members in the discussions in meetings and council work sessions. Attendance is important to participate in governing.
What role should the County Council take to encourage residential, commercial and industrial growth?
Cheek: The County Council should engage directly with local stakeholders like chambers of commerce, growth associations, religious organizations, utility providers, and local unions. These interactions are vital for understanding community needs, fostering economic development, addressing infrastructure requirements, and ensuring inclusive decision-making. Additionally, engaging with local municipalities and first responders, and holding public work sessions further enhances transparency and gathers community opinions. Collaborating with this diverse range of groups allows the council to plan and implement policies that support sustainable growth, promote community well-being, and enhance residents’ overall quality of life.
Groeteke: The charter states that the county executive is the chief economic development officer for the county. It goes on to say that the council may adopt economic development objectives to promote the general welfare of the residents of the county, which is one of the many responsibilities of the County Council. The council has approved the funding of the development of a new master plan for this purpose. The new master plan should be finalized next year along with changes in the Unified Development Order.
What role should the County Council take in addressing what appears to be a growing problem with homelessness?
Cheek: Jefferson County has one of the fastest-growing homeless populations in the state, with hundreds of unhoused children and families on the streets. This is a direct reflection of the County Council’s failed leadership. My approach to homelessness is simple: collaborate with our many local organizations, such as our churches and non-profits, to develop viable, compassionate solutions to address the challenge head-on. Jefferson County churches and organizations have formed the Jefferson County Coalition for the Unhoused, we the government need to get out of the way and let them do what they do best.
Groeteke: Most of the homelessness problems appear to be resulting from substance abuse and mental health issues. The Compass Health Network is opening new locations within the county to help address both issues. I have met with representatives from schools and Compass Health to understand the issue of homelessness and its causes. Every proposal for this type of thing has been met with significant citizen disapproval and zoning issues. Although some support a homeless shelter to be built in Jefferson County, unfortunately, the county does not at present have the funding available for, or a suitable location for a shelter.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Cheek: Like my job, I want to help make your house a home. This starts by attracting and developing both new and existing businesses that share our values, recognizing and confronting issues like homelessness and rural decay with a straightforward approach, and introducing some family-oriented areas and activities to enhance the quality of life for our people. At the end of the day, my wish is for our children to have a place where they feel inspired to live and build a future together because, without it, there is no tomorrow.
Groeteke: I passed a tax credit for our seniors in Jefferson County that will help them stay in their homes after retirement (SB 190). I passed an ordinance directing new tax dollars (marijuana tax) to pay down county debt. To support law enforcement, we approved funding for 1. The remodeling of one substation near Hwy. 30. 2. A new substation in Imperial. 3. A new crime lab, and 4. A new evidence-handling facility. If re-elected, I will continue to be diligent in the duties of your council member and fiscally conservative with a constant eye on your tax dollars.
