Meet the candidates: Butler County Extension Council election kicks off this Sunday

The University of Missouri Extension Council of Butler County will elect four people for two-year terms from six candidates who have filed to run.

Extension Engagement Specialist Jennifer Williams said, voting will begin Sunday, at the University of Missouri Extension Center and online at https://extension.missouri.edu/counties/butler/county-council/county-council-election and will continue through Saturday, Jan. 25.

Ballots must be received at the University of Missouri Extension Center by Jan. 24, to be counted, Williams said.

Voting age residents of Butler County may select any four of the nominees listed. The ballot accompanying the article may be used and mailed or taken to the Butler County University of Missouri Extension Center, 614 Lindsay Avenue, Suite 3, Poplar Bluff.

Council members are volunteers responsible for maintaining the University of Missouri Extension Center in Poplar Bluff and for planning programs with the professional and paraprofessional faculty and staff in Butler County.

According to Extension Council Chair Douglas Rose Jr., county and regional specialists and paraprofessionals for the University of Missouri System provide educational programs to Butler County citizens in several areas. Programs are available in the fields of agriculture, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, family and community education clubs, and food and nutrition programs for youth and low-income families.

The 6 candidates are Cindy Bosch, Amber Herren, Terri McCormick, Tabitha Parsons, Corey Reynolds and Toni Stoner. The following information was provided by the candidates.

Bosch

Bosch is a personnel security assistant at John J. Pershing VAMC. She has a son who is a senior and will be attending Missouri State University in the fall to study graphic design. She loves art and has learned how to work with stained glass as well as make jewelry.

An issue that Bosch feels needs addressed in the community is bringing back meaningful in-person connections. She is passionate about small businesses, Poplar Bluff Downtown and animal welfare issues.

Bosch said she strongly believes in the benefits of lifelong learning. She is involved in the Animal Welfare Alliance’s Art for Animals Auction.

Herren

Herren is a one-stop operator at South Central Missouri Job Centers and is the youngest of three siblings. Her parents have always been diligent and supportive, emphasizing the significance of education, hard work and perseverance. Herren explained, she has adopted these values and continues to impact them to her own children. She is a wife and the mother of four sons, whose ages range from 16 to 30 years old.

Herren oversees two job centers in the South-Central Region, which encompasses 12 counties, including Butler County. She has identified a significant deficit in the availability of a skilled workforce and says to achieve self-sustainability, it is essential job seekers gain access to employment opportunities that offer increased earning potential.

Herren is committed to leading collaborative efforts within the community to foster a vibrant and competitive economy in South Central Missouri. She is a member of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals.

McCormick

McCormick is director of development and finance with Boys & Girls Club of Poplar Bluff. She and her husband, Kevin, have been married for 20 years. They have three children: daughter, Madison and two sons, Jackson and Cooper.

She feels poverty and workforce development are two issues that need to be addressed in the community. McCormick is passionate about helping youth develop the necessary needs to be successful. She strongly believes in community involvement and is involved in Boys & Girls Club of the Heartland, Rotary Club of Poplar Bluff and Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee.

Parsons

Parsons is a district human resource manager for Pepsi MidAmerica. She and her husband have two children. Their oldest, Brandon is a corporal for the United States Army stationed in Fort Eustis, Virginia. Their youngest, Tanner, received his commercial driving license through Three Rivers College and is employed as a route driver. They have one grandson and are excited to have another on the way in June.

Her experience spans health care, industrial, customer service and logistics. She would like to see greater expansion of the family-oriented activities within the community. One opportunity for growth is the addition of a splash pad, providing local families with a fun cost-free option for children’s recreation. Furthermore, she believes there is potential for increased participation in planning the county fair, particularly in terms of entertainment and activities.

She is the former community coordinator for the Butler County Community Resource Council and current member of the Parents Working Committee.

Reynolds

Reynolds works as a program coordinator at Three Rivers College. He was born on his parents’ very first anniversary and they are some of the most hardworking people he knows. He said, he has two brothers, “and a wonderful sister-in-law and four handsome nephews and one beautiful niece.”

Issues he feels need to be addressed in the community are family systems related issues, mental health and substance use stigmas and helping those in poverty break generational poverty through attaining education and/or vocational training opportunities.

Reynolds is on the board of directors at Recycling Grace Women’s Centers, Mental Health Awareness Committee at the Community Resource Council. He has also served on the State Advisory Council for the Missouri Department of Mental Health as well as served on the Missouri Student Mental Health Taskforce.

Stoner

Stoner is an licensed practical nurse at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. She and her husband, Wade, have a son, Austin and a daughter and son-in-law Katie and Jesse Murphy of Puxico and two grandchildren, Olivia and Waylon Murphy.

Stoner is passionate about making the community aware of different programs available to them. Stoner currently is on the Butler County Extension Council, is president of the John J. Pershing VAMC Employee Association, a member of Eastern Star, and the PB Eagles Ladies Axillary. She attends Little Brushy Baptist Church at Lake Wappapello.

Please mark the four (4) of your choice:

[ ] Cindy Bosch

[ ] Amber Herren

[ ] Terri McCormick

[ ] Tabitha Parsons

[ ] Corey Reynolds

[ ] Toni Stoner

Printed ballots must be turned in to Butler County University of Missouri Extension Center, 61