The Jefferson County Council will have a new member representing District 2 after Gene Barbagallo, who holds the seat now, decided not to run for a full term.
In February, the council chose Barbagallo to replace Renee Reuter, who resigned her council seat before she was sworn into the District 112 seat in the Missouri House of Representatives.
On Aug. 6, Republicans Alan Leaderbrand, Jeff Roorda and Billy Crow will face off in the primary. Because no Democrats filed for the seat, the winner of the Republican primary will be sworn into the four-year term in January.
District 2 includes parts of Arnold, Imperial, and the Jefferson County portion of Fenton.
County council representatives are paid $11,650 a year.
Leaderbrand, 68, of Fenton, is a systems programmer with Kyndryl Inc. He and his spouse Lynn have two children and a grandchild. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri in St. Louis in 1980.
Alan Leaderbrand
Roorda, 59, of Arnold is a self-employed medical billing consultant. He and his spouse, Nancy, have three daughters. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Missouri Baptist University in 1996 and a master’s degree in public policy administration from the University of Missouri St. Louis in 2002.
Jeff Roorda
Crow, 37, of Arnold, is a shop foreman and union sheet metal worker at C&R Mechanical Company in Bridgeton, where he has worked for 15 years. He and his spouse Lisa have one child. He graduated from Hillsboro High School in 2005, attended Jefferson College from 2005-2006 and attended St. Louis Christian College from 2006-2008. He completed a 10,000-hour apprenticeship program in 2014 with the Sheet Metal Workers Local 36.
Billy Crow
What experience do you have that might serve you in this position?
Leaderbrand: Scoutmaster for 4 years, Scout Committee Chairman for 16 years, member of an Eagle Board of Review for 10 years, 2018-20 2nd VP of the Jefferson County Republican Club, 2019 Jefferson County Republican of the Year, 2021-22 President of the Jefferson County Republican Club, member of the Jefferson County 2018 Bicentennial Committee, 2020 Chairman of the Jefferson County Council Redistricting Commission, 2021 – present director on the Saline Valley Fire District Board.
Roorda: Four-term State Representative for northern Jefferson County (term-limited in 2015); Past board member for the Antonia Fire Protection District; Past board member for the Rock Township Ambulance District; Countless civic and charitable organizations.
Crow: I have been in many church organizations. From church planning to church revitalization, holding positions from youth minister to director of discipleship. This gives me experience in handling budgets, strong personalities, leading groups to a common goal and learning from people I disagree with. I am also the vice president of the Jefferson County Republican Club. In my tenure, the club doubled in size, and I have brought in diverse speakers to promote conservative ideas.
What specific needs exist in your district, and how would you address them?
Leaderbrand: District 2 has a problem with the roads due to the increase in housing developments over the years. The County has done nothing to improve the roads, road shoulders, and bridges. New development projects need to contribute to help improve the roads they want access to. The county needs to adhere to its Unified Development Order codes and stop giving developers cost-saving changes that do not benefit the people who will live there.
Roorda: After working as a police officer and police spokesman for nearly 30 years, safety is my number one concern. We have too much crime, too many drug overdoses, and too many illegal aliens in Jefferson County. Our courts and jail lack desperately needed resources. Our roads and bridges are in terrible condition. I’ll make public safety our number one priority in Jefferson County by increasing funding for our Sheriff’s Office, prosecuting attorney, courts, and county Highway Division. A safer county will bring more economic activity here which will help fund these important functions.
Crow: With the amount of crime that is coming from St. Louis and the fact that every county is now a border county, I believe that bolstering our Sheriff’s Office is the district’s greatest need. This means increasing funding for law enforcement to ensure they have the necessary resources, training, and equipment to address criminal activities. Additionally, fostering stronger collaboration between Jefferson County and local municipalities, particularly the Arnold Police Department in District 2, can lead to more effective intelligence-sharing and coordinated efforts in combating crime. By prioritizing these actions, we can enhance safety and security across all our counties.
What grade would you give the current County Council and why? What improvements would you make?
Leaderbrand: Grade of B. Jefferson County needs to complete a good master plan, which is way overdue. Followed with the correct code to support the master plan. The county has not addressed the road issues in District 2, being one of the fastest-growing districts. There is a need for more businesses in Jefferson County and District 2.
Roorda: C+. Our progress as a county compared with the rest of the St. Louis region has been average at best, which is usually a C grade, but I give a plus because I believe that everyone currently serving on the council wants to improve quality of life in our county but petty squabbles have sometimes gotten in the way of that. I get along with people on both sides of the rift on the County Council and believe I could help smooth the differences over so we can get back to work for our constituents.
Crow: F. The council doesn’t seem to listen to opinions that differ from its own. A perfect example of this is what happened with Rockford Park. After hearing testimony from those who lost loved ones in the river and emergency response personnel, the council disregarded the testimony and decided that changing the park’s name would stop drownings. The council is also failing because many on it want to trample on our freedoms. Some on the council have proposed a sound ordinance in the unincorporated county. What’s next, banning fireworks or shooting guns on your property? The only fix is new leadership.
What role should the County Council take to encourage residential, commercial and industrial growth?
Leaderbrand: The county needs to review and speed up the process for permits and inspections. Businesspeople complain that it takes too long to get inspections done or in the correct order, so to keep construction on schedule. One solution is if a developer follows the rules with no changes, then the county needs to fast-track the approval process over other projects that fail to comply. When multiple inspections are needed, they need to apply to the current work being done and not future or unrelated work that still needs to be done.
Roorda: A very active role but I don’t believe in the “all-or-nothing” approach to growth we’ve seen in the past. It seems like too often our past leaders on the County Council have either been against every proposed residential/commercial development or in favor of every one of them, no matter what the consequences. I believe each proposed project must be considered on its own merits on a case-by-case basis. I’ve been saying we need “smart growth” in Jefferson County for 25 years. I’ll get us there. I understand the path forward.
Crow: As a conservative, I believe that the best way to encourage economic growth is to reduce bureaucratic red tape. I also think that the council should listen to the business community to hear from them on what they need changed. This could easily be achieved by starting a small business committee on the council and partnering with wonderful organizations like the Jefferson County Growth Association. Part of the problem is that the council we have now seems to think that growth and businesses are their enemies. That kind of attitude will kill our county.
What role should the County Council take in addressing what appears to be a growing problem with homelessness?
Leaderbrand: The role of the County Council or the county is not to take care of or house the homeless. The county could work better to help in directing the person to charitable organizations, churches, the Jefferson County Health Department or state/federal programs that may render the assistance the person needs.
Roorda: Jefferson County shouldn’t be a dumping ground for the homeless, illegal aliens or substandard low-income housing units. That’s what we are now. Our neighboring counties and the City of St. Louis want to send the homeless, illegals and slum lords here so they don’t have to deal with the crime and social problems that come along with them. I’ll put my foot down and take on anybody who wants to disrespect our county and shift the burdens of their failed policies onto Jefferson Countians. Neighboring jurisdictions beware: If you send us your problems, I’m going to send them right back.
Crow: As someone who has housed a homeless person in our home, I feel uniquely equipped to address this issue. Solving a problem like homelessness is not an easy fix. Every individual has unique challenges they face. I think the best thing that the council can do to address this issue is to get out of the way of churches and other non-profits that can understand that individual. This past year a church wanted to open a resource center for homeless people who were ready for a change. The council voted it down, impeding the work of the church.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Leaderbrand: I feel I can best meet the needs of District 2 residents and not the big developers. I have been attending the County Council meetings, work sessions and budget meetings for years (more than many on the council), giving me a good understanding of Jefferson County’s needs. 1. Jefferson County needs to complete a good master plan, with the correct code to support it. 2. The county has not addressed the road issues in District 2, being one of the fastest-growing Districts. 3. There is a need for more businesses in Jefferson County and District 2.
Roorda: I love Jefferson County. I love its people; its institutions; its natural beauty. All that is in constant jeopardy. It’s no secret our county government can use some help. I have the education and elected experience to help. I’ve spent my entire life in service to our community starting as a junior firefighter at age 15 and working as a firefighter/EMT and police officer. Whether crawling through burning buildings or walking into a dope house to do an undercover buy as a narcotics detective, I’ve risked my life for this county, and I’m devoted to its future peace and prosperity.
Crow: Voters should vote for me because I will work harder than either of the other two candidates for you. I also know how to work with others to achieve something together better than anything we could do alone. When it comes to my goals, it’s pretty simple. I will apply the conservative principles of limited government and common sense to keep our county affordable and secure for our children and grandchildren. If you believe, like I do, that the best way to lead this county is conservative principles, then please vote for me on Aug. 6.
