Andy Sodano, the owner of Missouri's Houston Self Storage and Licking Self Storage, has announced that he is running for the office of presiding commissioner of Texas County. The primary election will be held on August 3.
In the primary, Sodano, who is a Republican, will run against Fred Stenger. Democrat David "Mike" Impey will run unopposed. Republican incumbent Don Shelhammer has chosen not to seek reelection.
Texas County, Missouri is classified as a "third class" county. It has three commissioners in all: the presiding commissioner and two district commissioners. Their elections are staggered every two years, so that the district commissioners and the presiding commissioner are never elected in the same year. The presiding commissioner must be elected by the voters of the entire county, while the district commissioners are each elected by the townships in their districts.
The job of commissioner in Texas County is quite specialized. Commissioners are required by Missouri law to go through a 20-hour training in Jefferson City before they take office. Once the commissioners take office, they review the county's budget and make any needed changes. They are responsible for taking care of the county's property, reviewing reports from county departments, reviewing and approving county payroll and accounts payable, working with the townships in order to funnel road and bridge money to them, and planning for emergencies and disasters. At least one commissioner must always be present in the Texas County courthouse on weekdays. Texas County expects its commissioners to regularly make time to talk to voters about their concerns. The commissioners also attend committee and association meetings, federal and state hearings, and meetings that relate to issues of concern to Texas County.
Sodano is accustomed to juggling many different responsibilities. In addition to owning and operating two self storage businesses, he also operates a construction business, raises black Angus cattle, and is a very active volunteer in his community. Sodano has quite a bit of experience as an entrepreneur. He grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania and began his work life as a member of his family's construction business. In the course of his life, he has worked in communities all over the United States, operating many different kinds of businesses, including: general and concrete contractor, land and property development, property management, hotels, restaurants, office buildings, shopping centers, valet parking lots, franchise development, and tanning salons. Eventually he sold them all and decided to retire in Missouri. Now he limits himself to owning and operating just five businesses: Houston Self Storage, Licking Self Storage, Country Cupboard, Detail Master Home Inspections, and Journeys End Range.
Sodano is also a member of several community organizations, including the Houston Lions Club, the Licking Chamber of Commerce, the Texas County Farm Bureau Board, the Missouri Far Bureau Commodities Committee, the Missouri Farm Bureau Beef Advisory Committee, the Missouri Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He is also the chartered organization representative for the Boy Scouts, Troop 99.
Sources used:
Barnes, Angela. "Current filings for the August primary election." The Licking News.
"Sodano seeks GOP presiding commissioner nomination." The Houston Herald. April 21, 2010.
Texas County. "County commissioners."