Beeler announces run for re-election in Jefferson County, 10th District

“Robert W. “Bob” Beeler, County Commissioner for Jefferson County’s 1oth District has announced his candidacy for re-election. A four-term incumbent, Beeler is known for his conservative and common sense approach to local government.”

“It has certainly been an honor and privilege to represent the people of the 10th District of Jefferson County on County Commission for the past sixteen years,” stated Beeler, “and I pledge to the voters to continue to work hard on their behalf and represent them well.” “Over the years, I have always called everyone back promptly and I have done my best to do my homework and work hard for the people of the 10th District,” he added.

“My top priority has always been, and will continue to be education. I believe that our children are the most important resource we have and we owe it to them to give them the best quality education possible,” Mr. Beeler added. “Education is an investment in our future.”

Second, we need to have a balanced approach to economic development including a retail strategy that brings in good, retail establishments that will enable our citizens to shop within our county borders and keep more of our local sales tax revenues within our county whenever possible. Also, we need a plan for creating good, quality jobs right here in Jefferson County. Right now, we do not have enough land under the county’s ownership; so without industry, that puts an unfair burden on property owners. We need a good plan to recruit light, clean industry that will provide jobs so that we will not be putting any more burden on property owners, especially those with fixed incomes.

Third, I am committed to preserving the assets the county owns. Previously, it has been proposed to sell the county landfill and the former Jefferson Memorial Hospital. We have a good hospital and it is clearly a benefit to the citizens of Jefferson County and we need to keep it. We have a signed contract that states Tennova has to provide a full range of services and operate a full-fledged hospital and that is a great benefit to the citizens of Jefferson County. So far, this agreement has generated over $7.5 million dollars in revenue to the county and Jefferson City while providing quality, healthcare to our family, friends, and neighbors”.

“As for the landfill, we currently have around twenty to twenty-five years of space left and if the county sells it to a private owner, it could potentially fill up because a private, for-profit operator will allow other entities to fill up our landfill and then it will be full in about seven to ten years. Potentially we will be paying someone to haul our garbage out of county at probably triple the price of what we pay now and that doesn’t seem like a good option,” Beeler added.

The fourth area that I want to emphasize during my term is low property taxes. I have always been concerned about our senior citizens on fixed incomes who are struggling to buy food and medicine and then having to deal with increased property taxes. We need to be good stewards of the taxpayer’s money and I will continue to be conservative with regards to our spending.

Beeler is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School and attended Walters State Community College. He is retired after having worked at the Magnavox plant in Jefferson City for 19 years and ASARCO for twenty years. Mr. Beeler served five years in the United States Air Force. He is a longtime volunteer in youth sports having coached for over twenty years in football, basketball, and baseball. He has served as President of the Jefferson City Little League, President of the Jefferson County Babe Ruth and Connie Mack baseball leagues, and Vice President of the Jefferson City Youth Basketball League. Mr. Beeler is a member of the Jefferson City Sports Hall of Fame and has been a member of the American Legion Post #113 for over thirty-five consecutive years. Mr. Beeler has two grown children, five grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

As a member of Jefferson County’s County Commission, he is presently serving on the Budget committee and the Animal Control Committee. Previously, has served on the Finance Committee, Public Service Committee, and the Nominating Committee.

“I would like to ask the citizens of the 10th District for their vote and support and I would like the opportunity to continue providing conservative, common sense leadership in our local government,” Beeler concluded.

Source: Submitted by Candidate