Next January, Barry County will have a new presiding commissioner.
Who will it be? That’s for you to decide.
On Aug. 2, a field of three newcomers to county politics will square off for its “top job” of presiding commissioner.
While the winner will carry the “presiding” title, his vote is worth no more than the northern and southern commissioners, and whomever wins will have two experienced commissioners to help him get up to speed.
Running for the position are, as they appear on the ballot: Chad Johnson, Steve Blankenship and Andrew W. Henbest.
All three candidates filled out questionnaires that ran in the July 13 and July 20 editions, and much can be gleaned from the 10 total questions we posed.
When I think of the qualities of a good presiding commissioner, I want him or her to be financially literate, transparent and responsive to residents’ concerns.
All three candidates have enough business experience in my eyes to qualify for the position, and all three emphasized a conservative bend to their thinking when it comes to money.
One question asked that drew unique responses was, are there specific areas of the budget would you like to cut, or any areas you would fund more?
Johnson cited allowing for more road deputies and improving county structures; Blankenship said he does not have any plans for cuts, but will look for future adjustments; and Henbest turned the conversation to mental health funding, proposing a 3 percent sales tax on recreational cannabis should a ballot measure for it pass in November. Henbest added he is not advocating for its passage, but the tax would be an option if it did.
Given the state of the Sheriff’s Office in recent years, more road deputies would surely help. However, we also just passed a law enforcement sales tax that should allow the Office to be fully staffed. I’m sure the sheriff will take all the help he can get, but I hope it’s absolutely needed should we go that route.
Blankenship’s tactic of wait-and-see may be the best route, but we won’t know until we know.
Henbest’s mental health angle is interesting, as the high poverty and drug use in the county could be impacted with such an investment. If the ballot measure passes, a recreational marijuana tax could bring in a significant chunk of change to county coffers. Is mental health the best way for that money to make the biggest impact? One big thing that
One big thing that may be impacted by the election is the plans for the new county jail. Currently, the county has purchased a property on Old Exeter Road behind Baywash Carwash.
The placement of the jail has been a controversial one, as it backs up to a neighborhood. County officials say with the options they had, they made the best choice.
All three candidates acknowledged the issue with placement. Johnson and Henbest left the door open to changing the project if it is not too far along by the time they are elected, and Blankenship said although he has concerns, the project would be started before he would take office.
The jail question is a semi-unfair one. It is unlikely any of the candidates would be able to turn a project around in its midst, and the other two commissioners may have something to say about scrapping something they have put so much effort into. Where the candidates
Where the candidates could have the biggest impact is with the old jail property. As of right now, the county is open to just about all options for it.
As for the candidates’ plans, Johnson proposes rehabbing or selling it for office space, or a park or community center; Blankenship supports selling the facility and using the money for other projects; and Henbest said he would want to see options before making any proposals.
One possibility I heard in passing recently was housing, or possibly some kind of hotel setup. Whatever is done, it’s the county’s burden to make sure the property does not become an eyesore and is either put to good use or removed and replaced with something better.
One area that divides the candidates is farm experience. Barry County is one of the state’s largest in cattle production, and row crops color the hills and hollows nearly as equally.
Blankenship and Henbest run their own operations and would immediately be able to connect with farmers having troubles the county could remedy. Johnson would likely have a learning curve in that regard, but he will also have two experienced commissioners alongside him for guidance.
As far as an election goes, the three candidates are comparable on paper. Typically in Barry County elections, there are a few swing precincts.
Monett, being the county’s largest population center, has the biggest potential for a candidate to rake in votes. However, getting those votes will take overcoming the fact all three candidates live in the southern portion of the county, and Monett has a history of apathy at the polls. With this being a mid-term election primary, that may drive more voters to the ballot box, but we won’t know that impact until Aug. 2.
Another area often under-appreciated is the Shell Knob community. The population of the unincorporated area is only about 1,300, but the voters are passionate and will show up if they say they will.
If you are registered but do not plan to vote, reconsider. The winner will have a great influence on the direction of the county over the next four years. Get to know the candidates and make the choice you think is best for you, your family, your neighbors and your county.
See you on Aug. 2.
Kyle Troutman has served as the editor of the Cassville Democrat since 2014. In 2017, he was named William E. James/ Missouri Outstanding Young Journalist for daily newspapers. He may be reached at 417-847-2610 or ktroutman@cherryroad.com.
