Victoria Goad James is seeking election to a seat she has filled since June 2021 when she was chosen to complete the final year of Jim Terry’s four-year term. Terry resigned as the District 7 representative in May 2021.
James will be challenged for the seat by Bob Tullock, Linda Schroeder and Kim Parrish.
Tullock also applied to fill Terry’s vacant seat, but council members selected James.
Parrish did not return a Leader candidate questionnaire.
Because no Democrats filed for the seat, the winner of the Republican Party’s primary will be sworn in in January.
County Council representatives are paid $11,650 a year.
JAMES, 62, of Cedar Hill is the chief advancement officer at Lafayette Industries, a nonprofit agency that employs adults with developmental disabilities. She and her husband, Ron, have two children, two stepchildren and 12 grandchildren. She is a 1978 Northwest High School graduate and received a business management certificate in 2002 from National Louis University.
TULLOCK, 56, of House Springs is retired after owning an auto transport business, pizza restaurant and five pool table and spa stores. He was a flight simulator technician who trained military and civilian airline pilots. He also worked at Ford Motor Company and was a member of the United Auto Workers Local 325. He and his wife, June, have one child and three grandchildren. He attended Jefferson College and studied computer science and business. He was an instrument rated commercial pilot and received training at Parks College in 1990. He earned an electronics degree from Missouri Technical College in 1997.
Website/social media: YouTube: Bob Tullock
SCHROEDER, 66, of House Springs owns and operates Gil Schroeder Sod Sales in House Springs and Meet Me at The Bar, a fitness center in Cedar Hill, with her husband, Gil. They have five children and 14 grandchildren. They also have rental homes in the area and commercial property investments. She completed two years at Florissant Valley Community College.
Website/social media: Website: votelindaschroeder.com; Facebook: Linda Schroeder for County Council District 7
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
James: I was elected to the Northwest R-1 Board of Education for 12 years, serving as its president for five years. I have been a board member of the Northwest and Kirkwood chambers of commerce, Waigand Wheels and Cherish Inc. and am a past board member of Comtrea.
Tullock: I served six years as an alderman in Manchester. I am certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to serve in times of crisis and I received the National Incident Management System certification. My wife and I are lifelong Christians.
Schroeder: I have served three terms on the Big River Ambulance District’s board, have been vice president of the HUD board and a member of the Homeless Connect Committee, both for the Jefferson-Franklin Community Action Corp., have been a member of the Jefferson County Health Department’s board, have been elected to the Homeless Coalition board and I have been president of the Peace Pantry since 2016.
What are the biggest problems facing your County Council district and how would you address them?
James: ■ Updating the master plan. I have asked to be in the group that is being formed to work on it.
■ Transportation is an obstacle for many who need to be employed, go to medical appointments and just have access to their community. We need to work with the East-West Gateway Council of Governments and use our resources to search for a solution.
■ We need to work with Comtrea and the Jefferson County Health Department to make certain that those who need access to mental health services can get those services without long delays to see a provider.
Tullock: ■ Overdevelopment is a huge issue in District 7. We need growth and development, but the County Council needs to take a more proactive approach to development.
■ Amend the county master plan to make the development process more transparent.
■ We must protect our Second Amendment rights by supporting our Constitution.
■ The courthouse and jail facilities need attention. These facilities are deplorable. How do we fix this? Stop spending money on frivolous items that provide little, if any, benefit.
■ Remove the drug dealers in Jefferson County.
Schroeder: Lack of funding in multiple areas, including wages for first responders, teachers and county employees. I would address the issue by having a grant writer for the county. There is money available through grants for needed items. Using those funds would free up some money for wages to be raised. A common saying in Jefferson County is “we train them and then they leave for a higher paying job somewhere else.”
What grade would you give the current County Council and why? What improvements would you make?
James: I would assign a C-minus. I was hopeful when I was appointed that I could work with other members without the tension that is present at the meetings. My experience on the Northwest school board demonstrated that I am able to work with everyone and show respect even when on different sides of an issue. I have not found this to be true on the County Council. I will continue to do my part to be respectful to all county residents and council members.
Tullock: D-minus. Some council members could do a better job representing their constituents and not their own personal political agendas or pet projects. Council members may disagree but were elected to do a job for constituents. How could I make a difference? I’ve been campaigning door to door to discover what’s important. How can I represent them if I don’t meet them? I recently mailed a survey to many of the residents in District 7. Their response and comments have been overwhelming and will allow me to do a better job on the County Council.
Schroeder: C. There always is room for improvement in anything people do; we learn as we go and make improvements necessary to withstand the changes of our surroundings. The most important thing in any relationship is communication, so that absolutely means in the community and between council members.
What role should the County Council take to encourage residential and commercial growth?
James: The county is going to grow and we need to make certain there is a good mix of both residential and commercial growth. I am in agreement with many residents that we need to make some changes with planning and zoning. Project developers need a way to find out before spending lots of money and time if their project is a good fit for the area. The neighbors on all sides of a project need their voices heard when they have concerns.
Tullock: The council needs to identify those areas that make sense for development and only those that do not have a negative impact on our infrastructure. So far, the only ones benefiting are the developers. Why? Because they contribute to the campaigns of council members who vote for their developments. I support a structured commercial development plan in commercial districts because the residents benefit directly from the sales taxes generated. This will not happen overnight and must be considered carefully.
Schroeder: The County Council should encourage smart commercial development, work with the Economic Development Corporation to bring better jobs and wages to Jefferson County, therefore encouraging residential growth. This is why Jefferson County should be using all money available and why the county would benefit from a grant writer position.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
James: I am a lifelong resident of the county. I have a heart for the community and that’s the reason I have volunteered many hours over the years to the Boy Scouts, a school board, the County Charter Commission, the County Merit Commission and other boards. I have more than 25 years of leadership experience. I have written and managed budgets of $20 million and managed 400 employees. I want to use my past work and community experience to have an impact in my community.
Tullock: I am the only candidate in the race who is retired and has the time required to represent 32,000 people. My time, experience and vision for Jefferson County is what I have to offer. Think of me as hiring a potential employee. Would you hire someone with the right training and experience or someone else? My goal is simple, to make Jefferson County a little better off for my grandkids than when I found it.
Schroeder: I am committed to serving my community. I have made numerous monetary contributions with no intent to collect anything in return. As I work directly with families, I have an understanding of what my community needs. My goals:
■ Pass better ordinances for vacation rentals by the owner.
■ Hire a grant writer.
■ Change the name of Rockford Beach to better warn visitors about its dangerous swimming conditions.
The council should work as a team regardless of personal beliefs. Communication among the council members should be a priority.