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| A. E. Newman Candidate for Southern District Associate Commissioner of Gasconade County |
Post: 1,727
Part 1 of my interview may be found by clicking on A. E. Newman Interview (Part 1) . And Part 2 may be found by clicking on A. E. Newman Interview (Part 2) .
Here is the transcript from Part 3 of the interview with A. E. Newman which took place Saturday morning, 2/12/2011, at Newman's kitchen table in Bland, MO .....
Kant: Mr. Newman, let's talk about the issue which I know is most near and dear to your heart. And that is the issue of unemployment in Gasconade County. The numbers from the BLS are not yet out for January, but most people are expecting that the official unemployment rate for Gasconade County will come in right around 10%.
Newman: Isn't that terrible, Clark?! Absolutely horrendous! And we have such proud, skilled and hard-working people in our county! We have to get this situation fixed and fixed for good! We've got to bring quality industry and business operations to Gasconade County!
Kant: I know that you and your wife have reached out to the unemployed and homeless down in the southern district by hosting some breakfast meetings with them at your home. Other than that what do you plan to do, Mr. Newman?
Newman: IF elected, I plan to "shake things up" with the Gasconade County IDA (Industrial Development Authority) and the GVEZ (Gasconade Valley Enterprise Zone). As you probably know, my opponent, incumbent Jerry D. Lairmore, has been sitting as a member of these groups for a number of years representing the Gasconade County Commissioners. I have heard him talk a lot in County Commission Meetings about attending these meetings. I have read the minutes of County Commission Meetings going back about three years now. In these minutes, you can find Commissioner Lairmore talking about attending IDA and GVEZ meetings, but I believe I am correct in saying that Mr. Lairmore has accomplished very little of any real substance. I can't remember one business which Lairmore has brought to Gasconade County. I can't remember him helping an existing business expand and produce more good-paying jobs for the county. Just a lot of hot air! I wonder who Commissioner Lairmore is really representing as a member of the Gasconade County IDA and the GVEZ? Is he representing the workers of Gasconade County who need good-paying jobs with company provided health insurance or is he representing a few business owners who are greedy and short-sighted in terms of wanting to maintain a low wage and salary structure in Gasconade County for their own benefit? That's what I'm wondering! And I'm aiming to find out about it too!
Kant: How are you gonna do that, Mr. Newman?
Newman: I'll be showing up at the IDA and GVEZ meetings as a visitor and observer. I want to get educated about the mission of these groups, the membership of these groups, what they have accomplished, what they haven't accomplished and their plans for the future. I want to personally assess what needs to be done to bring business and jobs to Gasconade County.
Kant: That sounds good for starters, but what else do you plan to do, Mr. Newman?
Newman: I'm going to find out what my opponent has been doing as a member of these two groups. I'm going to find out if he is fighting to bring business and jobs to Gasconade County, or if he is just giving "lip service" to the chronic needs of our county! I'm going to find out who he is representing by sitting on the boards of these groups ... the workers of Gasconade County ... or just a few "fat cat" friends. I'm going to find out if our county and regional industrial development groups are consulting with marketing professionals. I'm going to find out if they are putting together professional presentations and brochures which can be used to attract quality employers to our county. I'm going to find out if and how they are reaching out to quality businesses directly, through various political connections and through various economic development agencies at the state level. I'm going to ask if they'd consider adding one unemployed worker from the southern end of the county and one from the northern end of the county to their boards. I think we need to listen to the voice of the people who are being impacted by our county's high rate of unemployment!
Kant: Sounds like you've been really thinking about this issue!
Newman: I suspect and I dare say that I've been thinking about this issue more than my opponent! And if I find that my suspicions are indeed confirmed, then that is a very sad state of affairs for the honest and hard-working people of Gasconade County!
Kant: What else can be done to bring good-paying jobs to our county?
Newman: We must be progressive and forward-thinking about our county's infrastructure and county services. Quality companies will not want to locate an industrial plant, a warehouse or any other kind of large business operation in our county if our county leaders are constantly fighting and failing to move the county ahead. That's why Southern District Associate Commissioner Jerry Lairmore needs to be replaced! I'm convinced Mr. Lairmore spends a great deal of his waking hours trying to figure out how he can obstruct what Commissioner Penning of the Northern District wants to accpmplish. Lairmore conspires with others to bring information, rumor and innuendo into County Commission meetings when such things have absolutely no place in the County Commission meetings. Presiding Commissioner Jost should cut off such inappropriate rumor mongering, but he has demonstrated that he has been unwilling to conduct a professional meeting. If elected, I pledge to work with Commissioner Penning to accomplish positive things for both ends of our county. I will try to work with Presiding Commissioner Jost, but I will also "all a spade a spade". I expect Mr. Jost to set the appropriate priorities for the county, lead our meetings efficiently and effectively and cut off political rumor "mongering" as was seen in a recent Commission meeting when Commissioner Lairmore and a former commissioner teamed up in a sleazy, unprofessional attempt to smear Commissioner Penning by innuendo .
Kant: Well, we're just about out of time, Mr. Newman. I know you and your wife are planning to drive up to Columbia to visit your son today.
Newman: Yeah, I guess I'm getting a bit long-winded, Clark! It's been a pleasure talking with you today! 'Hope we can do it again in the future!
Kant: That would be just swell! I know you'll be getting your campaign signs made up this spring. Perhaps we can get together when you get your first sign back from the printer?
Newman: Clark, my signs are gonna be hand-painted on some old, discarded lumber. I'm going for the rustic, country look. I plan to hire some of the unemployed people here in the Bland area to help me. I'm gonna put my actions where my mouth is!
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