Five candidates who have never held public office and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley are seeking the Democratic nomination for the county executive’s post in the Tuesday, Aug. 3, primary election.

Dooley, Carl Johnson, David J. Lee, Charlotte Meshell, John Basil Moldovan and Patrick Van Berkel are vying to finish the final two years of the late George R. “Buzz” Westfall’s term.

Westfall died in October and Dooley unanimously was selected by the County Council to serve as county executive until the November election.

The Democratic nominee will face one of three Republican candidates — Fenton Mayor Dennis Hancock, former County Executive Gene McNary or County Councilman Kurt Odenwald — and Libertarian “Ted” Brown Sr. in the November election.

Asked to identify the most important issue in the race, the candidates responded:

• “As county executive, I’ve had the opportunity to make a model government run even better,” Dooley said. “In these last eight months, I’ve worked to gain the trust and respect of county employees, and citizens at large, while ushering in changes to improve county government. One issue that I consider of the utmost importance is economic development and its effect on our quality of life. Our regional economy thrives when development is ongoing. When we stimulate the local economy, economic growth is sure to follow.”

• “To improve the economy to make it the best place to live and work,” Johnson said.

• “Returning control of St. Louis County to voters by enacting changes listed in your 16 questions,” Lee said.

• “Environment of the county, for (residential) area,” Moldovan said.

Meshell and Van Berkel did not respond to a Call questionnaire.

Dooley, 56, 4408 Mathew St., Northwoods, 63121, recently retired after 30 years at Boeing, formerly McDonnell-Douglas. He and his wife, Sandra, have one daughter.

Dooley formerly served as mayor of Northwoods in 1983 after five years as an alderman. Dooley was elected in 1994 as the 1st District’s county councilman and served in that capacity until he took on county executive responsibilities last fall.

He said he is seeking the Democratic nomination to the county executive’s seat because “I understand the needs of the people of St. Louis County. I have lived a life that mirrors most of those who live here. I want the quality of life this area offers: a safe place to live, a good job, affordable health care, (and) the ability to send my children to the good colleges that we have right here at home.”

“I was born in St. Louis, fought in Vietnam and returned home to begin a 30-year career at McDonnell-Douglas,” he continued. “While raising a family, I was asked by my neighbors to serve my community by getting involved in local recreation programs. I served on the local parks board, was elected alderman and then, mayor and county councilman. Now as county executive, I will continue to build community while preserving the life we know and enjoy. I want to improve the county’s health centers, revive the Citizen Police Academy that educates citizens in law enforcement issues and continue to encourage job growth.”

Johnson, 71, 1901 Ashby Road, 63114, is a business owner and is involved with the law enforcement/security industry. He and his wife, Carol, have no children.

He said he is seeking the Democratic nomination because he wants “to make St. Louis the best quality place to be. To make St. Louis the best place to live and work.”

Lee, 40, 9500 Dorisann Court, Affton, 63123, is a certified helicopter pilot and electrician. Lee is single.

While he never has held public office, he unsuccessfully challenged Westfall in the Democratic primary for county executive in 2000.

He said he is seeking his party’s nomination because “the county is long overdue for a county executive that truly represents its citizens.”

Moldovan, 76, 938 Latigos Trail, 63131, is retired and single.

He said he is seeking the Democratic nomination for county executive because “I am skilled. I have likely records and experience: 50 years.”

The candidates gave the following responses to a Call questionnaire:

Do you believe the St. Louis County Planning Commission is responsive to county residents? How long should appointees serve on the Planning Commission?

Dooley said, “The St. Louis Planning Commission is well respected for the balance it brings to the planning process and its reputation for fairness in its decision making. The interview process for appointments to boards and commissions in St. Louis County is designed to acquire the most appropriate individuals who bring unique expertise to the board’s mission. The Planning Commission appointees are asked to serve a minimum of three years. When needed they are asked to serve additional terms, thereby leveraging their expertise and acquired experience as commission members.”

Johnson said, “Absolutely not. Appointees should serve on the Planning Commission no more than two years.”

Lee said, “I do not believe the Planning Commission represents the needs of our communities. They choke off older community redevelopment and encourage new development in outlining areas which causes uncontrolled urban sprawl — Crestwood area vs. Fenton area new.”

Moldovan said, “Planning commission positions should be voted in by St. Louis County citizens to a four-year term. It’s that important. No. Maximum four years.”

What is your position on incorporation?

Dooley said, “St. Louis County citizens are free to incorporate. Citizens who choose to pursue this process are subject to Boundary Commission Laws which must be followed. St. Louis Countians have the right to submit petitions within the limits of the law for proposals to incorporate.”

Johnson said, “I don’t approve of incorporation of unincorporated St. Louis County into municipalities unless voted on by the residents of the area. It’s nice to have many unincorporated St. Louis County areas.”

Lee said, “Incorporation was early written in St. Louis County’s Charter for a means for communities to improve service to citizens. Today the county has matured to provide all these services and more if managed correctly. This would eliminate the wasted money in duplicated services — streets, public works, police department, etc.”

Moldovan said, “All counties must be incorporated for protection of terrorism and redevelopment and maintenance.”

Do you agree with the County Council’s 2001 decision to change its meetings to the evening from the afternoon?

Dooley said, “St. Louis County Council changed its meetings to the evening so that more citizens could attend. I believe in accessible government forums where citizens can participate and this change has brought about greater citizen participation. It was a good change.”

Johnson said, “Absolutely yes.”

Lee said, “I agree with any County Council decision that would increase public access and participation in county government.”

Moldovan said, “I think.”

Do you support the licensing provisions of the county’s mechanical code?

Dooley said, “The licensing provisions of the county’s mechanical code are in place to ensure that St. Louis County residents receive quality work. Because of licensing provisions, there is a higher level of accountability for the safety and general welfare of residents and visitors in our county. The current code ensures quality workmanship which benefits the citizens of St. Louis County.”

Johnson said, “Yes, because it is a valuable guide for people to use for safety purposes. However, I think that some changes would be beneficial to everyone.”

Lee said, “I will support any mechanical-electrical code licensing provision that ensures a high quality of repair and new installation to county residents and businesses. It also must be applied fairly to all who perform this work.”

Moldovan said, “To see existing provisions first.”

Do you support Pinnacle Entertainment’s gaming proposal for the former National Lead site in Lemay?

Dooley said, “As a public servant, my first and foremost duty is to speak for the majority when citizens are calling for a change. In the area where the Pinnacle Entertainment gaming proposal is to be developed, a majority of the residents voiced their support for the project. Therefore, as their elected official, I support it as well.”

Johnson said, “Yes, providing that any/all contamination is cleaned up by the gaming industry. I would also support a site near the J.B. Bridge for another gaming proposal. The gaming industry should finance MetroLink. People could get on the MetroLink anywhere in St. Louis City and/or St. Louis County and be taken directly to any of the gaming industry’s sites providing that the gaming industry would provide the financing for the MetroLink project.

“Any and all of the gaming industry’s sites could invest in the MetroLink project bringing many people directly to their casino from all over St. Louis City and St. Louis County. The MetroLink would have major stops that would include the airport, major shopping areas and other entertainment places. This would be beneficial to the gaming industry as well as the St. Louis County residents and the St. Louis County residents would not have to have any money taken from them by taxation. With the Gaming Industry providing the financing for the transportation/MetroLink, everyone benefits from this,” he added.

Lee said, “Not as proposed. There are too many unanswered questions. First, the enormous cost of toxic cleanup which the citizens of St. Louis County will ultimately pay for. Furthermore, there has been a study completed which states the Lemay site would infringe and seriously affect the trade area of the President Casino. In other words, the Lemay site is too close to the President … Why would Pinnacle want to build in downtown and Lemay which would compete against itself? This makes no business sense.”

Moldovan said, “Yes. I support for helping schools, education spending. Not for parents.”

Is the former National Lead site in Lemay the best location in south county for a riverboat casino?

Dooley said, “The former National Lead site in Lemay is a site that will benefit greatly from redevelopment efforts and the infusion of jobs, commerce and the related business activity of the casino. It was determined by experts in the field of land use and development that this site, with its history of contamination, was best suited to this development. I agree with this assessment.”

Johnson said, “I think that both the lead site in Lemay is a good place as well as a place close the J.B. Bridge. Having both locations of the lead site in Lemay and a site near the J.B. Bridge would benefit everyone in St. Louis County. The gaming industry would have two instead of one site. Having the gaming industry finance the MetroLink project would benefit the gaming industry as they can have their site as a major stop for people coming from the airport, St. Louis City and St. Louis County and any other place that one can enter and exit.”

Lee said, “Only a fool would put a casino on this location. A more suitable location would be any outside of the President Casino’s trade area.”

Moldovan said, “I think, yes, and Kimmswick.”

Are you satisfied with the county’s Neighborhood Preservation Program? Does this program need to be improved? Are you concerned about selective enforcement of this program?

Dooley said, “A visit to St. Louis County’s Web site will tell you that the Neighborhood Preservation program was moved to the Department of Health to more closely align it with related programs. Those programs are those of public health, air pollution, waste management, lead, noise control and other health initiatives. St. Louis County Police have also been a strong partner in the program with Nuisance Abatement Officers who work full time.

“This has been good for St. Louis County. The program is on track and enforced fairly by staff. They want to identify resources and create new programs for home owners and neighborhoods to utilize and fight potential property maintenance deterioration in their communities,” he added.

Johnson said, “It’s OK, but it needs improvement. It should be more organized with more participation of all the residents.

Lee said, “The county Neighborhood Preservation Program is a joke. They (see) a problem with your home, stick a ticket defining the problems with your house. If you find the ticket, you have 15 days or 30 days to correct the problems. However if you do not see the tickets they also send a copy in the mail showing up 10 days later. Now you have either five days or 20 days to say paint the entire house, replace a driveway, install a new roof, etc. After your time has expired and your work is not completed, it’s off to criminal court facing punishment of up to $5,000 and/or one year imprisonment for each thing that is wrong with your house. Selective enforcement happens a lot with homeowners facing $20,000 to $30,000 in fines and/or four to six years in imprisonment according to the ordinance. As your county executive I will scrap this program and start over.”

Moldovan said, “No. Yes. Yes.”