Following the retirement of Don "Butch" Anderson, the Butler County Eastern District Commissioner spot is seeing a contested race between Republican Ralph Stucker and Democrat Van L. Rhodes. Both individuals emphasized their emergency response experience working in the county as a key factor in making them good candidates.
Ralph Stucker
Age: 59
Spouse: Pam Stucker
Children: Amy (30), Aaron (26)
Occupation: Retired from Poplar Bluff Fire Department / City of Poplar Bluff as fire chief / emergency management director
Education: Poplar Bluff High School, class of 1983:
Training and continuing education through the following agencies and schools, Black River Vo-Tech / Arkansas Fire Academy, Three Rivers College-Fire Training Center, University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute, Missouri Division of Fire Safety, FEMA-Emergency Management Institute (EMI), Missouri Emergency Management Training, National Fire Academ, Missouri Emergency Response Commission, United States Environmental Protection Agency, New Mexico Tech, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Missouri Police Chiefs Association, Local Emergency Training Specialists, National Weather Service, Texas Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M), Public Agency Training Center, Southeast Missouri State University and Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education – substitute certificate
Current affiliations: Member of Temple Baptist Church, Missouri Association of Fire Chiefs
International Fire Chiefs Association, Fire Fighters Association of Missouri, Butler County Fire Protection District volunteer firefighter, NRA Patriot Life endowment member and NRA shotgun coach
Why are you running for this office?
I believe with my extensive knowledge and experience in working with the public, business and government agencies that I would be an asset to the county residents and county wide departments.
Since I am retired, I have the time to dedicate to our county without having to work around a current employer or job. Our community has been incredibly good to me over the years, and I look forward to the opportunity to give back to the residents of our county.
What characteristics would make you a good candidate?
With my many years as fire chief of the Poplar Bluff Fire Department, I have been responsible for developing multimillion dollar budgets as well as looking to the future to ensure we meet the growth of the community.
I have collaborated well with community partners, state, and federal agencies to find solutions to problems. I will always listen, research, and decide for the benefit of the county.
What do you hope to accomplish?
I would like to work to see that the county has continued growth, and work with other county officials to ensure the county has an adequate workforce and that we maintain competitive wages and benefits to attract and retain quality employees.
I would also like to work on a solution to the flooding and drainage issues that our county continues to experience. This will require working with local, state, and federal partners.
Are there any recent decisions of the county commission that you agree or disagree with?
I feel the county has operated professionally. Without knowing the full details surrounding a decision, I would not criticize any decision that has been made.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing Butler County and how would you address them?
One of the biggest challenges is to prepare the county for future growth. We need to develop a comprehensive plan that covers infrastructure improvements, a bridge repair and replacement plan and a road pavement plan.
There will need to be more planning for the future I-57 completion, in expectation of growth in manufacturing and population. We also must address the county wide drainage and flooding issues to create a long-term solution.
Are there any needs you want to address?
We need to continue working with the Ozark Foothills Planning Commission to seek grant funding to help with infrastructure improvements that will continue to be needed for projects in our county.
I feel it is important to be a good steward of county tax money to provide the best services to our county residents.
What projects for the county are most pressing?
With the possible de-certification of Drainage District 12 and the devastating financial impact this could have on the residents and businesses for this area, this should become one of the most important projects we have to get corrected.
I would also like to work on a solution to the flooding and drainage issues that our county continues to experience. This will require working with local, state and federal partners.
How do you hope to manage Butler County’s growth as I-57 progresses?
With the nearing completion of the last phase of the Interstate 57 project, our county will need to be ready to meet the potential increased opportunity for growth.
The county commissioners need to stay in close contact with our Chamber of Commerce, state and federal legislators so that we will be informed to meet any new opportunities for Butler County because of the I-57 project.
Van L. Rhodes
Age: 61
Spouse: Sheila Rhodes
Children: Vanna Rhodes (36)
Occupation: Retired Firefighter
Education: Some college
Current affiliations: At this time, I have no current affiliations. The following is prior affiliations: Butler County Fair Board, IAFF secretary/treasurer for over 20 years.
Why are you running for this office?
I feel that I can do a good job and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve seen a lot of change. Things are changing at a fast pace in Butler County. So, what we need is a person that serves as a commissioner that understands the maintenance and construction of our roads and bridges, as well as those built in the future.
I have a vision for the future of this county because of our geographical location and what I mean is that we are in the north, south, east, west corridor in the bootheel of Southeast Missouri. We are the gateway to the Ozarks.
What characteristics would make you a good candidate?
I have shown interest in serving Butler County and have lived here since birth. I have many characteristics that make me a good candidate. I have an interest in construction and I have worked in the construction maintenance of our city streets.
An example is the blacktop overlay crew and repair of our brick streets and I was also on the sign crew installing signs and striping. So, when things are being built, I play close attention to detail and know how things should be done.
I say this with respect to all those whose labor to make our life better and safer for our day to day travels to and from school, jobs and to home. I have also worked in EMS, fire, hazmat tech and as a reserve police officer.
So public safety was what I have worked in most of my life. So, I have the training to help our county during emergencies.
What do you hope to accomplish?
I hope to give the citizens of Butler County the services that they deserve as a taxpayer and respond to any concerns they may have, and I am committed to being available to respond and serve the community.
Are there any recent decisions of the county commission that you agree or disagree with?
The only thing that I can say, is this is a loaded question. When I’m elected, the presiding commission will bring me up to speed on any on going projects, including ones that are near completion.
Therefore, with future projects to be considered or started, I will be diligent in the use of taxpayer’s dollars as it is their money not mine.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing Butler County and how would you address them?
The biggest challenges will be upgrading our county roads including intersections and signage. Not to exclude blind corners and uncontrolled intersections to protect the county assets from possible lawsuits by not taking action to keep the public safe.
Are there any needs you want to address?
I’ve covered several in my answers above. Yes, there are other needs and when I discover those needs you can be assured that I will act and work the issues.
What projects for the county are most pressing?
One of the most important projects is upgrading the connecting road from Highway 53 across Highway 142, connecting to Cravens Road.
How do you hope to manage Butler County’s growth as I-57 progresses?
I will manage it the best that we can. The upside of I-57 is to make us grow and the downside of it is the growing pains in which we will work to mitigate.
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