Jane Cunningham, Candidate for Monarch Fire Protection District Board of Directors

Biographical Information

• Name, Age, Address:  Jane Cunningham, 1602 Timberlake Manor Pkwy., Chesterfield, Missouri 63017
• Occupation: State Senator (retired as of January 2013)
• Education: Bachelors degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Economics and Marketing, Florida State University.  
• Family: Husband Gary M. Cunningham, graduate of Normandy High School, University of Michigan and George Washington University Law School. Sons Bret Cunningham, graduate of Ladue High School, Wake Forest University and an MBA from University of Texas, Austin and Navy Lieutenant Scott Cunningham, graduate of St. Louis University High School and University of Texas, Austin
• Years lived in Chesterfield: 14

Brief Background

• Missouri State Senator, 2009-2013 - Chairman of General Laws Committe; Lead Sponsor of the Health Care Freedom Act that was overwhelmingly adopted by 71% of Missouri voters in 2010; Passed law providing property tax relief
• Missouri State Representative 2001-2009 - Chairman of the Education Committee
• Ladue Board of Education, 1988-1991
• Voted "Best Elected Official" by West County residents
• St. Louis Business Journal Legislator of the Year
• Lewis & Clark Statesman Award presented by the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Assn.
• Legislator of the Year Award presented by each of the following: Missouri Republican Party, Missouri Eagle Forum, American Legislative Exchange Council (national legislator organization)
• Monarch Fire Protection District - Attended and spoke at numerous public Board Meeting representing West County constituents, but best known for my leadership in reversing the unnecessary $1 Million tax increase on homeowners in 2011; Graduate of the Monarch Fire Operations Course to learn first-hand the job of firefighters and paramedics
• Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce member
• Progress 64 West Member and Speaker

Reasons for Running

I am running because of the need in the district for someone who is a tested and proven candidate who has demonstrated they will address the two biggest, interrelated issues, union control of the Board and property taxes that are higher than need be for top quality service. 

I am the only candidate who has proven I am serious about tax relief.  I led the successful effort to convince the Fire Board to reverse an unnecessary $1 Million property tax hike in 2011. 

As a Board Director, I will not be controlled by the union because I am the only candidate who has promised voters I will not accept union campaign money, volunteers at the polls or their negative fliers paid for by Citizens for Good Government. Since Board members set employee salaries, it would be a clear conflict of interest to be beholden to the union for my election.  If I am elected, control of the three member Board will be properly returned to the public and taxpayers. 

Questions:

What do you think are the biggest issue facing the district and what recommendations do you have that might resolve them?

The Monarch Board has three members with six year terms.  They control nearly a $20 Million budget, five fire houses and 125 employees.

I have been involved with Monarch issues for about a decade.  Throughout those years and longer there has been a struggle for control of the Board between the public/taxpayers and the union.  The union selects candidates and generously funds their campaigns making it nearly impossible for most independent citizens to compete.  Board members, beholden to the union for their election, set salaries and tax rates to fund abundant compensation packages which far exceed similarly situated staff in New York City, Chicago, St. Louis City or Ladue. Other County Fire Districts then use Monarch’s compensation benchmarks to negotiate up their own salary and pension packages.  Taxpayers all around are therefore impacted by what happens in Monarch’s election on April 2^nd. 

Having been elected six times and having served twelve years in the Missouri Legislature from this area, I hope the voters will elect a known, tested and proven advocate to restore some general fairness and continue my effective record of property tax relief.

While in the Senate, I passed a law that requires market value fairness on property assessments and I have already successfully advocated for citizens by eliminating an unnecessary $1 Million Monarch property tax increase.

Given the recent controversies that have surrounded the district, how would you move the board forward and prevent any further issues?

All publicly elected Boards have the primary purpose of overseeing the government service to ensure good outcomes and good stewardship of the taxpayer's money.  If we adhere to that purpose, all involved will be treated fairly and reasonably including the public, taxpayers and the government, public service employees. 

What is your process for establishing priorities when it comes to the budgeting process, including making cuts that could impact the district's services?

The duty of the Monarch Fire Protection District is emergency service to save lives and property.  Residents expect the most able, well trained personnel, excellent equipment, technological advances for saving lives and fast response times. That is not up for compromise. There are numerous ways to eliminate expensive waste now which are common sense corrections that do not impact services such as overtime assignments, work comp injuries, sick leave, pension contributions, and continuing and unnecessary legal problems caused by bad decisions to name a few. 

What separates you from your contender in this race?  

1) Twelve years of experience in public and government service with a record of effective legislation and a solid positive reputation.  I am endorsed in this race by my legislative peers from the St. Louis area who know my work and reputation.  See list at Jane4Board.com.

2) I have attended and spoken at numerous meetings on behalf of residents over the last ten years. My opponent has now attended his first Monarch Fire Board meeting, the one on March 21, 2013, the last board meeting prior to the election.  

3) I am the only candidate to have graduated from the Monarch Fire Operations Course to learn first-hand the job of the firefighters and paramedics.

4) It was reported in a recent Chesterfield Newsletter that I have voted in every Monarch Fire Board and municipal election since 1999 and that my opponent did not bother to vote in these same elections in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2012. (http://johnhoffmann.net/chesterfield_23.pdf)

5) Transparency – Financial reports of my campaign donors are all filed with the MO Ethics Commission that provides easy access to voters and reporters over the internet. I have nothing to hide. 

6)  My promise not to accept any campaign money or volunteers from the public employees' union since it would be a clear conflict of interest.

If elected, will you pledge to serve a full six-year term?  

Yes