Incumbent Jefferson County Executive Ken Waller, R-Herculaneum, is vying for a second four-year term in the Nov. 4 general election, facing opposition from longtime Jefferson County politician Samuel J. Rauls, D-Hillsboro, and J. Bennett of Cedar Hill, the Constitution Party candidate.
The position, which was created in 2010 through charter government, pays $79,169 annually.
Waller, 53, lives at 202 Santschi Circle, Herculaneum. He and his wife, Trina Waller, have three children. He earned an associate degree in business administration from Jefferson College and graduated from the University of Missouri in St. Louis in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in public administration. He served as Jefferson County treasurer from 2005 through 2008 and was elected in 2010 to the new post of Jefferson County executive. Waller also has had a property/casualty and life/health insurance license since 1990.
Rauls, 66, lives at 9818 W. Vista Drive, Hillsboro. He and his wife, Suzy Rauls, have three children and three grandchildren. He attended Jefferson College, Central Methodist University and the University of Missouri in Columbia. Rauls retired from the position of executive director of the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation. He served from 1980 to 1993 as a municipal judge for the city of Hillsboro, and served as a substitute judge in almost every municipality in Jefferson County. He worked 19 years in the private sector, most of that time with General Electric and Panasonic as a regional credit and operation manager. He served as a Democratic committeeman from 1984-1986 and 2012 to the present; Jefferson County public administrator from 1989-1998; Hillsboro R-3 Board of Education as member and president from 1993-1996; Jefferson County presiding commissioner from 1999-2002; the Jefferson County Sewer Board; and has served on various boards/committees throughout the county. Rauls is also a member of the Desoto Elks; Hillsboro Community Civic Club; Hillsboro Lions; and the Joachim Lodge AF & AM.
Endorsements: AFL-CIO Cope; Jefferson County Labor Club; Carpenters’ District Council; Jefferson County Sheriff Glenn Boyer; Rep. Ben Harris; Crystal City Mayor Tom Schilly; Byrnes Mill Mayor Susan Gibson.
Bennett did not return a Leader survey.
How would you describe your leadership style and how would your style enhance your work as county executive?
Waller: I generally practice the participative leadership style of management. Good leaders find strong people to surround themselves and let those people do their jobs. My role is to set a vision, offer guidance when needed, and listen to the input of others before making the final decisions. When I ran for office, many citizens of the county were not happy with the history of authoritative leadership in Jefferson County. Too often many people thought that the approach by leadership was a “my way or the highway” approach. I believe by working with people as much as possible and not against them, Jefferson County has moved forward in many areas in the last four years. I have also shown a willingness to work across party lines for the common good of the people wherever possible.
Rauls: My leadership style is one of working very hard and being able to make the tough decisions. It is very important that you respect and understand that your employees are the most important asset. I lead by example and by showing employees that I will work as hard, or harder, than they do. I have the experience and ability to work with other people and organizations to get the job done.
What are the three most important issues affecting Jefferson County residents and how would you address them?
Waller: First, we need an efficient and responsive government with conservative fiscal policies and procedures. We need to upgrade and improve our county facilities without increasing long-term debt. We also need to continue to review burdensome codes and restrictions, and to improve access to county government and services for county residents. We need to continue to prioritize justifiable needs in the budget and allocate funding for those needs.
Second, we need economic development and job creation. We should continue to develop an environment that is conducive to businesses starting up, staying in or relocating to Jefferson County and providing sustainable, good-paying jobs. We also need to continue to meet and work with small business owners to advocate for their issues and concerns to help them sustain and grow their businesses in Jefferson County.
Third, we have transportation issues. We need to work with East-West Gateway and state and federal officials in bringing our fair share of dollars back to Jefferson County to help address road, bridge and infrastructure needs. We have been very successful in bringing home more than $38 million dollars since 2011. I will continue to work diligently in this area.
Rauls: Our first priority must be attracting jobs which pay a livable wage, promoting economic development to bring more business and to help grow existing businesses to provide employment opportunities for the people. Secondly, we must work to protect family and property values, and finally, to enhance our quality of life.
As the only candidate to have served as executive director of the Economic Development Corporation of Jefferson County, I know what it takes to attract good jobs. I have worked with many businesses to expand and locate in Jefferson County.
As a former member of East-West Gateway, I also helped bring tens of millions of dollars back to Jefferson County for roads and bridges.
As a husband, father and grandfather, I know that protecting our homes and families is a very high priority. I will work closely with our sheriff and local police, fire and ambulance departments and other organizations that help and serve the people, to get state and federal grants. We need these funds to help the men and women of law enforcement and emergency services to protect us, our homes, businesses, and loved ones.
I will work with the other elected officials, cities, and businesses throughout the county to put together a cohesive and comprehensive plan of cooperation to ensure growth and prosperity.
I will work with state and regional entities and businesses to attract good jobs to the county. I have the hands-on experience and drive it takes to accomplish these things.
What do you view as your major accomplishments in office?
Waller: We restructured county debt, saving taxpayers almost $2 million; secured capital purchases without increasing debt; maintained our good bond rating; and doubled county reserves through conservative fiscal management to more than $6 million. This all was accomplished in just three years.
We also improved our health insurance services for county employees; worked to reduce our workers’ compensation premiums by almost $300,000; instituted an automated payroll and time/attendance system; instituted an inventory control system to track all purchases in the Public Works Department; worked with officials to secure over $1 million in port funding; and helped to expand the Port District to include the entire county.
We took the lead in implementing the terms and conditions of the charter. Finally, we helped to institute the merit system mandated by the county charter, which helped make government more accountable to the taxpayer.
In what ways do you think you could do a better job than the incumbent?
Rauls: The office of county executive is failing the people of Jefferson County.
■ Failing to see we receive our fair share of regional highway funds for road and bridge improvements.
■ Failing by delaying of grants that were already secured by our sheriff to fight crime and help families.
■ Failing to create the jobs we need and spur economic development.
I can provide the real leadership the people of Jefferson County deserve.
What changes do you plan to enact in the next four years, if elected?
Waller: I plan to continue to increase the customer service aspect of local government, making it more responsive. The goal will be to make Jefferson County more business- and development-friendly by ensuring that new and existing regulations are more reasonable. Also, I will search out ways to cut duplicate and excess government expenses and continue working with local and state authorities to expand the port.
Rauls: We need to improve the transparency, image, and access to county government through improved electronic communications. The county Web presence is an embarrassment. We are not projecting the right level of professionalism to business and industry decision-makers, or making it easy for people to access government services. We need a strategic marketing campaign to enhance the image of the county as a place to live and do business.
We need to step up the pace of the Jefferson County Port development and put together the transportation, communications, energy, facilities and work-force package it takes to attract higher-paying industrial jobs.
I would do a countywide survey seeking public input, then meet with the County Council, other elected officials, the mayors of our cities, local districts, and business and labor leaders.
Together this would be the basis of an action plan of what needs accomplished immediately and over the next four years.
Why should voters choose you?
Waller: Voters should choose me based on my record and continuing commitment. The voters deserve continuity and cohesiveness in their executive. Since I took office in 2011, the county is in very good shape. We have more than doubled our reserves to over $6 million, without adding long-term debt. We have refinanced county long-term debt, saving taxpayers almost $2 million. I implemented an inventory control system to track purchases in the Public Works Department, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.
I have a vision for the county’s future. My decisions will be made with community in mind, doing what’s in the best interest of the county, not myself. I will continue to work with municipalities, economic development and the Port Authority to bring good-paying jobs.
I ask for your vote to allow me to complete the job we started together four years ago.
Rauls: We can’t remain on a downward course in Jefferson County. We compete with other counties in the region to attract new businesses, commercial development and industries to provide jobs and a solid tax base for the county, so homeowners don’t carry all the burden.
When business goes elsewhere, when grants are delayed for political games, or when road and highway money is lost to other areas, there has to be accountability. This election is about holding the incumbent county executive accountable.
The county executive in 2014 and beyond should focus on jobs and the economy, and my experience with job creation and obtaining vital grants gives the voters of Jefferson County a positive alternative to more of the same excuses. It is time for a change and for real leadership from the office of county executive.