Edwards Announces His Candidacy for Pettis County Western Commissioner

In press release dated Friday, Dec. 29, Mark Edwards announced his candidacy for Pettis County Western Commissioner. A primary election will be held in Pettis County on Tuesday, Aug. 6. Jim Marcum is the current Western Commissioner.

The press release is as follows:

Dear Friends and Neighbors of Pettis County.
I am announcing that I will be a candidate for the office of Pettis County Western Commissioner August 6, 2024.
As a native Pettis County citizen, grew up in Sedalia and spent a lot of time on the Edwards Farm just outside of Lamonte. I believe in a balanced view of each city needs and growth, along with recognizing and committing to the importance of agriculture in our county.
I have over 35 years of experience as Financial Controller and CFO (Chief Financial Officer) for large and small corporations. Spending controls, accountability and budgeting are the basis my entire career. I also have firsthand experience in helping companies make decisions to relocate too, expand, or leave communities. Having led the efforts in obtaining several Industrial Development Bonds and tax incentives for corporations, I have seen what the lack of accountability for the incentives can do to a community. These incentives can be either burden on city/county infrastructure and schools or the basis of providing growth and good paying jobs. We need to maintain a well thought out, balanced approach to economic growth, that does not infringe on our agricultural heritage in Pettis County.
I am a local product of Smith Cotton High School, State Fair Community College (AA degree in accounting), UCM (Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting), William Woods University (Master’s Degree in Business Administration) and a Licensed Commercial Pilot.
I recently retired after spending the past 15 years working and commuting to the KC area. This commute allowed me to keep my local residency and help my wife Charlotte Edwards, who owns and operates Charlotte’s Country Ruffle in downtown Sedalia.
As partner with my brother Danny Edwards, we operate Big Indian Trucking (name after our father’s CB handle in the 1970s), providing flatbed trucking in the Midwest.
I believe the county deserves leadership that will focus on wise spending of our tax dollars on basic services and listen to the citizen’s concerns. After visits to the commission over the past couple of years I am disturbed by their response to citizens, lack of due diligence in property purchases and the continued bickering with the city that wastes tax dollars.
Having served on the Sedalia City Council several years ago, I experienced the complications that can arise over various issues in government. We need leadership that will focus on solutions and promote a community wide planning (cities and county) with cooperation and respect.
We have a lot of good people serving our community on various boards, committees and in local government. We need to support / encourage them to listen and communicate.
Pettis County is a great placed to live and we need to keep it that way!
That is why I just keep coming back to my roots.
Thank you, Mark Edwards
Paid for by Citizens to elect Mark Edwards, Jeff Leeman Treasurer