The Leader continues its Voters Guide for the Aug. 4 primary election. To assist an expected high number of people who will cast absentee and mail-in ballots, we will be posting profiles on candidates in contested races and ballot issues. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot or mail-in ballot is July 22. For information, call the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office at 636-797-5486.
Dan Stallman, who retired after a career with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, is running for a second four-year term representing District 6 on the Jefferson County Council.
The only opposition he’ll face in his re-election campaign will come in the Republican Party’s primary election on Aug. 4, when he will be opposed by David Collins, a retired office manager and political neophyte.
Because no candidates from other parties filed, the winner will be elected to a new term.
Stallman and Collins also are squaring off for the Republican Party’s committeeman seat for Valle Township.
Council members are paid $11,478 per year.
STALLMAN, 76, lives in De Soto. With his late wife, Carol, he had two children (one is deceased) and has two grandchildren and a great-grandson. He is a retired after 20 years as a road deputy and DARE officer with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. He also worked for the U.S. government as a subcontractor for military projects.
He took law enforcement classes at St. Louis Community College at Meramec and business classes at Washington University.
COLLINS, 70, lives in De Soto. He and his wife, Patricia, have five children and eight grandchildren. A retired office manager with Hall Equipment, he is a high school graduate who earned a diploma in diesel and auto engine mechanics from Ranken Technical School.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Stallman: I was a DARE instructor for more than 15 years, taught Sunday school for two years, was a COPS community policing officer for two years and my 20 years in the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Collins: I am just an American patriot. I haven’t ever been in politics before, but I want to work for the people of Jefferson County.
What specific needs exist in your County Council district, and how would you address them?
Stallman: Flood areas: We should not allow residents to live in areas prone to flood.
Roads and bridges: We are replacing bridges and we are taking over maintenance of subdivision streets. We need to continue doing both.
Collins: Fiscal responsibility, keeping taxes low, programs for homeless rehabilitation.
What grade would you give the current County Council and why? What improvements would you make?
Stallman: A grade of B with room for improvement. I would like to have more input from department heads.
Collins: C. I would make sure the people have more of a voice.
Should the County Council place a tax on the ballot that would allow voters to decide whether they want to finance the expansion of county parks programs? Why or why not? If you support the concept, should it be a sales tax or an increase in the current property tax rate?
Stallman: No more tax increases. We should stay with user fees.
Collins: No. I don’t support a pool, which would be a huge expense and it would not be fair to other parts of the county that don’t get one. Our county’s growing and its revenue also grows. I may support a smaller tax on real estate, not on sales or much less than what was proposed on a sales tax. Our parks have $1 million. They do not need $8 million more. It would be too much and unnecessary.
What changes, if any, need to be made to the Jefferson County charter to help the county government run more efficiently?
Stallman: We should have an in-house county business development department. We should have Tesla (a cybertruck factory) in Jefferson County rather than Joplin.
Collins: No stance.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Stallman: Simply that I put God first and that I believe in protecting all life and I am against more taxes.
Collins: I will listen to people’s rights and concerns, not just go with the flow. I would not be O.K. with closed meetings. I’m in favor of more transparency and also I’m for shared trails in parks, allowing horses again.