Kritzer, Galloway debate at Holts Summit forum

Both seek office of commissioner

Callaway County Western District Commissioner Donald (Doc) Kritzer, left, debates his Republican primary election opponent Bill Galloway, right, during a candidate forum Tuesday night in Holts Summit. The debate moderator was Nancy Lewis, executive director of the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce.
Callaway County Western District Commissioner Donald (Doc) Kritzer, left, debates his Republican primary election opponent Bill Galloway, right, during a candidate forum Tuesday night in Holts Summit. The debate moderator was Nancy Lewis, executive director of the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce.

The only contested county office involving Holts Summit voters in Tuesday's primary election is the race involving Callaway County Western District Commissioner Donald (Doc) Kritzer and his Republican opponent, Bill Galloway.

There are two other Republican candidates in Tuesday's primary election for Callaway County Eastern District Commissioner but Holts Summit is not in the Eastern District.

Both incumbent Kritzer and Galloway appeared for a debate Tuesday night sponsored by the Holts Summit Community Betterment Association.

Kritzer voiced strong support for development of small modular nuclear reactors at the Callaway Energy Center operated by Ameren Missouri.

"There's tremendous economic potential and hundreds of new jobs from this project not only for Callaway County but the entire state of Missouri. It now appears Ameren Missouri will build from one to five small modular nuclear reactors at the Callaway County site of its current nuclear plant," Kritzer said.

He added the federal government has $452 million available in grants to help companies build the small modular nuclear reactors. Westinghouse has teamed up with Ameren Missouri and has chosen the Callaway Energy Center as the site for the project.

It is also possible, Kritzer said, that the site could be used to manufacture small modular reactors and ship them around the world from Callaway County. He said barge traffic from the nearby Missouri River would be helpful to ship from the site.

Galloway said it is a mistake to place too much emphasis on what Ameren Missouri does in Callaway County.

Galloway said "everybody seems to believe that Ameren can save the county, I don't think that is a fact or else we would not have to be using $400,000 in general revenue money on roads."

"Ameren is important but I am concerned about creating other jobs in the county and the high number of people moving away from Callaway County. I don't think we should have to depend on Ameren for new jobs," Galloway said.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.