Dennis Gannon is seeking his second four-year term as Jefferson County Executive in the Nov. 8 general election.
Gannon was elected the second-ever county executive four years ago after the county adopted a charter form of government that was fully instituted in 2011.
A Republican, Gannon will face a challenge from Democrat Fran Newkirk.
Newkirk ran unopposed in the August Democratic Party primary, while Gannon defeated Paul Wieland.
The County Executive is paid $86,120 a year.
GANNON, 67, of De Soto is the incumbent county executive. He and his wife, state Sen. Elaine Freeman Gannon, have two grown sons and four grandsons. He has worked for his family’s business since high school, which has included a cafeteria, hotels, shopping center developments and commercial real estate projects. He is a 1987 graduate of Tarkio College.
Website: dennisgannon.com
NEWKIRK, 78, of Barnhart, and her husband, A. Glen, have three children. She is a former comptroller for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and was secretary for the Antonia Fire Protection District. She took classes at Jefferson College and has a certificate in computer science and accounting.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Gannon: I am a veteran who served in the U.S. Naval Reserves, the U.S. Army Retired Reserves and the Missouri National Guard from 1974 to 1994 and retired as a major. I have been a member of the Jefferson College Board of Trustees, Mercy Hospital Board of Directors, Jefferson County Port Authority and First Baptist Church of De Soto.
Newkirk: I have been a member of the Antonia Fire Protection District and Public Water Supply District C-1 boards and have been a member of my church council. I was appointed to the Jefferson County Charter Commission, which was active in 2007-2008. I have been a volunteer with Make-A-Wish, Habitat for Humanity and the St. Christine Food Pantry.
What would be your top priority if you are elected?
Gannon: Continue moving forward with major infrastructure investments that include roads, bridges and the port system, allowing for economic development and job opportunities for our citizens. Continue investing and upgrading county government facilities and replacing where needed. We purchased land and a facility for crime evidence storage and are working on constructing a new crime lab. We have purchased land that will support construction of a new jail. Continue our record of making county government more accessible to residents, as we have done by revamping our county website.
Newkirk: Transparency and equity. I will learn what is needed to bring about trust in our county government.
What changes, if any, need to be made to the Jefferson County charter to help the county government run more efficiently?
Gannon: The charter has provisions on how changes can be brought forth, that ultimately would have to be voted on by the residents. Some of the items that have been suggested are term limits and the consolidation of some county functions and departments.
Newkirk: I would need to review the charter in entirety before commenting on that. As we all know, many things have changed in the past 14 years.
What role should the county executive take to encourage residential and commercial growth?
Gannon: It’s almost impossible to have one without the other. The county executive’s role in encouraging growth includes ensuring that county roads are maintained with safety, efficiency and growth patterns considered. Jefferson County has planned and delivered a safe county transportation system. It also includes encouraging sound residential and commercial developments. Development comes when there is a demand, which Jefferson County is currently experiencing. There needs to be a plan for growth. As our work on updating the master plan continues, we must provide opportunities for residents’ and job creator input. Solid planning can avoid future problems.
Newkirk: I would keep residential areas as such and develop an area best suited for commerce; improve the county’s infrastructure; and communicate with the industries that would bring a strong and sustainable workforce.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Gannon: I have worked diligently with local, state and federal officials to improve our road network system and our Port Authority. We secured commitments in excess of $200 million to improve I-55, along with other major projects. We have begun approximately $30 million of road improvement projects in the Imperial-Arnold area. We just secured $25 million in the state budget for port and economic development. These investments will lead to economic development and job opportunities. My goals are to recruit jobs, oppose defund-the-police efforts, continue our port and economic development activities and fight illegal immigration.
Newkirk: My goals, if elected, are to reinforce an understanding that county government is to work for us, not the other way. I would respond to residents by returning calls. I would call special work sessions with residents regarding the effects of change in the county. I would work at developing trust between residents and our county government as well as bring about transparency in all departments.