Following are responses to a Q&A sent to candidates by The Salem News prior to the Aug. 6 Primary Election. Candidates appear alphabetically.
DISTRICT 1 COMMISSIONER
Keith Green, Republican
I have been a native of Salem most of my life. I grew up here, raised a family here, and attend church in Salem as well. I worked for the City of Salem for 25 years, retiring in September of 2023, where I worked on road maintenance for 23+ years of that time.
Q: Why should you be elected?
I would like to see a more unified county working together with the City of Salem because I feel that the city is inside the county, and what is good for the city will also be good for the county. I care about the people in our community. We have a beautiful town, and the opportunity to utilize the (Dent County) Commons to help provide events for the community, which would also bring in more revenue for local businesses. In addition, with my experience in road maintenance, I feel I can help improve upon our road conditions.
Q: What would you do to improve or change the position you are running for, or duties of the office, that would result in savings or benefits to the taxpayers?
If I am elected, I would take a hard look at what is currently being done, and how I can best improve the office to be more accessible to the community.
Q: What major financial decisions are on the horizon for the office you are running for, and how would you prioritize and pay for those?
The one big decision that I have been asked about is the Senate Bill 190. There are still a lot of questions that I have myself and how it’s worded. I have read it, but feel I need to dig deeper into some of the meanings of it. Before we can say how we would fund it, we have to be able to understand it. This means we have to be in constant contact with the state, asking questions, gaining understanding. If elected, it’s my responsibility to get that information, not depending solely on someone else to get it.
Q: Write about an issue that is or should be a priority to be discussed as we approach the primary election.
One of the priorities is to address the conditions of our county roads. I feel this has been an ongoing concern for many of our citizens. This is a major issue that I have been hearing within the community. It is important to address their concerns. If that requires meeting with them personally, I feel that is priority, not something to be placed on the backburner.
Wes Mobray, Republican, incumbent
I am a lifelong resident of Dent County. My wife Kendra and I have been married 20 years, we have two sons, Bryce and Stetson. We live on our family farm and work hard together as a family to produce quality cattle and beautiful land. Prior to becoming your District 1 Commissioner in 2020, I was the owner/operator of Mobray Excavation. My time as a business owner and heavy equipment operator paved a solid foundation for the work required of a County Commissioner and I have thoroughly enjoyed serving in this role for the past four years.
Q: Why should you be elected?
I think I have accomplished a lot the last four years as an elected official. One of my major focuses has been on infrastructure. I have taken on some significant projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for all residents. By keeping a close eye on the budget and making savvy financial decisions, I’ve been able to complete projects while minimizing the impact on taxpayers. Here’s a few examples: Through a 100% fully funded grant, County Road 6670, better known as the back way to Montauk, will be asphalted in 2025. Multiple bridge renovations, like the Cooley Bridge project on CR 5610, was also funded 60% by grant dollars. I’ve done my best to be responsive to the wants and needs of the District 1 constituents and prioritize projects accordingly.
Q: What would you do to improve or change the position you are running for, or duties of the office, that would result in savings or benefits to the taxpayers?
Every day I look for different ways of saving the taxpayer dollars. I always stay below our budget. I am always working on trying to acquire grants for road improvements when they come available.
Q: What major financial decisions are on the horizon for the office you are running for, and how would you prioritize and pay for those?
There has been a lot of conversation about SB190 the last couple months and I want to be sure
everyone understands the details of the bill. The State of Missouri passed SB 190 then revised it to SB 756. The bill gives our Senior Citizens a tax credit but is going to cost our county, which is taxpayers, around $20,000 for the required computer program, not counting extra staff and the tax paying entities such as our hospital, fire dept, schools, health department, and other tax based entities, the bill will put a freeze on all taxing entities.
The county commission has been working through Senate Bill 190-756.
Q: Write about an issue that is or should be a priority to be discussed as we approach the primary election.
In March of 2021 the commission signed a Second Amendment Preservation Act. I think our Second Amendment right is a huge priority that we should always stand up for and with all the violence happening around our country we should prioritize it more now than ever before. Also, property rights. Property rights grant individuals and entities the authority to use their property as they see fit, within the bounds of the law. These rights are essential for economic development because they provide security and incentives for investment. When people know their property is protected by law, they are more likely to invest in and improve it, which can lead to broader economic growth.
DISTRICT 2 COMMISSIONER
Denver Ellis, Republican
Greetings my fellow Dent Countians. I am Denver Elllis, son of the late Susie Bailey and grandson of Stella (Nee) Nash. I am proud to be a multi-generational native to Dent County, blessed to be married to my wife, Sheila, and have two adult sons who have grown into amazing young men. We actively attend the Second Baptist Church in Salem. I attended and graduated from Salem High School and was proud and honored to have played a role for 14 years assisting our football program that represented our community during the Schuchardt-Dillon era.
I have served our community during the past 17 years by assisting the Dent County Commons Association as a team member that helps organize, structure, and run the multiple events we host each year that helps stimulate a county economic impact of nearly $3,000,000 a year. I am employed full time and a small business owner as a Bondsman that has serviced eight counties over the past 14 years and am also a special process server to multiple counties.
Q: Why should you be elected? Be specific.
In full transparency, I never thought I would ever want to be a commissioner. I had no desire to put my name on a ballot but that changed after our county had to go through the process of having commissioners appointed. I started attending our commissioner meetings on a regular basis and have missed very few in the last several months. As I listened and learned more and more, I become frustrated at what I was learning and then became ashamed that we have allowed our voice to be almost nonexistent as time after time I witnessed residents and others voice concerns that, in my opinion, fell on deaf ears.
The reason I should be elected is simple: I am the only candidate that is on the ballot who is running for the position out of duty to our county. I possess the values and qualifications to do the job and to do it well. I am the only man in this race who is bold enough to stand and speak up for our county for what is right and what is wrong. I am a team player and do not seek credit for a job that is already my responsibility. I have no intention of making this position my new career and will do my service for whatever time span I am needed.
Q: What would you do to improve or change the position you are running for, or duties of the office, that would result in savings or benefits to the taxpayer?
To improve the maximum efficiency of any elected official's role to gain the greatest benefit available to our county residents and taxpayers which would lead to Dent County being far more effective with our budget and day to day business is a simple answer. We should encourage more transparency, bring back our community town hall meetings, and let the community be proactive in deciding how and where their tax dollars are spent.
As an elected official, to regain the confidence of our fellow Dent Countians, just to know when there are tough decisions that must be made, and to have the support of the community is priceless, and guarantees the progression of Dent County.
My goal, once installed in office, is to reunite this century with a few old, but common-sense ways. That is to not only encourage a higher level of community involvement but to personally sponsor each town hall if necessary. Those who choose to attend, even if upset, will be guaranteed their first amendment rights to speak.
We have several county boards and committees. I have been in attendance at several commissioners' meetings over the last several months and have yet to hear any reports from any of these committees with the exception of one - our Dent County Tourism Committee. Do these board and committees still meet? If they are defunct, then let's find new attendees that will add to the strength of our county. Our forefathers established these boards and committees to establish an advisory voice to our county government, thus another great benefit to our county residents.
Q: What major financial decisions are on the horizon for the office you are running for, and how would you prioritize and pay for those?
Most of us are probably at least familiar with the NG911 system as referenced in the The Salem News, June 18, 2024, that comes with the first five years paid by grants. This is a decent time span that would allow our county to put pen to paper and put a lot of thought into the future of our funding for the 911 system.
Let us take a short trip back in time when Dent County first sought to fund our 911 system. It was up to the voters to tax our land lines and as time has progressed our 911 system is being partially subsidized from general revenue funds, from 911 fund reserves, as noted in The Salem News January 8, 2019 for the year 2018 to the tune of $41,675.
Why would we have to do this you might ask? The diminishing use of land lines is the answer. You cannot get the tax if the land lines do not exist. In 2019 there was a new state tax for prepaid cell lines approved, however in the mix, Dent County has yet to implement that tax. I am sure this needs more research and a lot of thought and may be the way to permanently fund our 911 system, of course with the modification for all modern cell devices.
This is one of the largest issues I foresee coming up in the future.
Q: Write about an issue that is or should be a priority to be discussed as we approach the primary election?
Being native to Dent County certainly has at least one advantage - to know how deep our local culture goes, our traditional ways of old, and how those two tie to the upper Current River.
Our families would gather by the masses at the water in the hot months of the year. Lots of folks back then did not have air conditioning and spent the entire summer season at the river, using the same spot year after year. The banks would be lined with our local families and it was some of the best memories and times of my life.
Over the past years there has been a clear message sent that locals are no longer welcome on our own river. The Ozark National Scenic Riverways has become infamous, among other things, for closing county roads, centuries old horse trails, traditional and natural crossings of the river, and closing traditional camping places of our grandparents. This list is never ending. ONSR abuses its original agreement of 1964 so much it is now just another infringement they feel has no accountability for them whatsoever. Man in the biosphere is real and will absorb our lands, our traditions, our culture, and the most frightening of all - our descendant's future to remain in their home lands.
Gary Polk, Republican, incumbent
I am a life-long resident of Dent County, attending and graduating from Salem R-80 Schools. I have owned and operated an excavation business, as well as run a farming operation over the past 30 years. My wife, Denise Polk, and I are the parents of four children, Christopher Polk, DeeAndra Thompson, Whitney and Hayden Polk. I am a Christian and attend Hobson Community Church and am a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association. I enjoy hunting, fishing, motorcycle riding and camping. I am currently serving as District Two Commissioner, after being selected by the Dent County Republican Committee and appointed by Governor Parsons in July 2023 to complete the term of the position after Gary Larson was appointed as Dent County Presiding Commissioner.
Q: Why should you be elected?
I believe I should be elected because I have experience from 30 years of running my own excavation business. Overseeing the maintenance of county roads is a big part of the county commissioner’s duties, and I have dealt with all aspects of what that entails. The experience I have had business wise also gives me the ability to make financial and other decisions concerning county business. I have been in the District II County Commissioner position for the past year. I have gained an understanding of county business and what this position requires.
Q: What would you do to improve or change the position you are running for, or duties of the office, that would result in savings or benefits to the taxpayers?
I would like to investigate and consider using asphalt, instead of chip and seal on roads that are selected as high traffic areas, that need a more durable surface. Subdivisions are another area that could be considered for asphalt, just like they are now chip and sealed, due to difficulty maneuvering road graders in those tight areas. Even though the cost of asphalt is more expensive than chip and seal, it has a 20-year life before needing maintenance vs. chip and seal needing resurfacing about every five years. The amount of budget that is applied to this would be kept consistent by reducing mileage improved. More miles would be traded for less miles with greater quality and longevity of the roads treated.
Q: What major financial decisions are on the horizon for the office you are running for, and how would you prioritize and pay for those?
The electrical service coming into the courthouse and breaker boxes need to be updated and replaced. An additional bathroom is needed, due to the high traffic on court days. Sidewalk and grounds improvements are needed for safety and ADA compliance. These items are priority for safety and access reasons. Funds can be drawn from the existing budget and grant money.
Q: Write about an issue that is or should be a priority to be discussed as we approach the primary election.
SB190 and revision SB756 are topics that need to be discussed. The Salem News will be making available a poll for Dent County residents to make known whether they are for or against the bills. The commission will use the poll results as a tool for making a decision on these bills. County residents should research these bills and the expense they would create for the county carefully in order to make an educated decision.
Jimmy Williams, Republican
My name is Jimmy Williams, and I am a life-long resident of Dent County. I am currently employed at The Salem Housing Authority as the Maintenance Supervisor. I am a Salem High School graduate where I also served on the R-80 school board for four years. Prior to my current employment, I worked at C&E Auto as a salesman for 23 years. Family is very important to me. My wife Denita and I have been married 35 years and I am very proud of our children Amanda and Nate. Along with my employment I have renovated homes, managed my own rental properties, and also bought and sold many vehicles locally.
Q: Why should you be elected?
I should be elected because there is an opportunity here in Dent County to make a difference and I would like that chance.
I will dedicate my time and energy to this job for the citizens in District 2 making it a full-time job. I also believe it takes more time and effort than just attending two meetings a week. The people of our county deserve a commissioner who is looking out for the best interest of the county and putting them first, and I am that person.
Q: What would you do to improve or change the position you are running for, or duties of the office, that would result in savings or benefits to the taxpayers?
County commissioners have an important job. Many decisions are made concerning the assets of the county. These assets are valuable to the citizens of the county who provide funding through taxes to maintain, improve, and manage the property of the people. Again, I will dedicate full time effort using my experiences to effectively manage with complete transparency and straight forward communications. I will listen to the constituents and have an open door policy. I will support community engagement and listen to concerns. Together we can build a better future for our community. I look forward to serving as District 2 Commissioner and to continue to make this a great place to call home.
Q: What major financial decisions are on the horizon for the office you are running for, and how would you prioritize and pay for those?
Change is constant. Remaining informed is imperative to manage things in a proactive manner. I don't like surprises and will work diligently to be in front of issues before they happen. Our biggest challenge today is the unknown. Being prepared for unexpected large expenditures, local disasters, or breakdowns can help bridge the gap effectively with less total expenses or downtime. Full time oversight will help me to be better prepared and more knowledgeable about the issues at hand. Allowing for decisions to be for the betterment of the people of Dent County.
Q: Write about an issue that is or should be a priority to be discussed as we approach the primary election.
One of the top priorities that the commission has engaged in is to proceed with the courthouse sidewalk improvement project. This project will be a huge improvement to the downtown square area and bring beautification to our historic courthouse. This is also being funded by a Big Tap Grant improvement. Meaning the county will only have to financially support 20% of the total cost. With only supporting a fifth of the financial cost, this is a huge savings for the county.
