VIENNA — Vic Stratman, 72, of Argyle, is running for reelection as presiding commissioner to “keep the county running” another four years.

Since 2019, Stratman has led the county as presiding commissioner, overseeing business with “common sense” through the COVID-19 pandemic. His candidacy is opposed by Vienna Police Chief Shannon Thompson during the Aug. 4 election.

Stratman grew up on the family farm in Maries County, which is where he still lives today. He attended the Visitation School until 1968 and graduated from Maries County  R-1 High School in 1972. Afterwards, Stratman earned his associate degree in auto mechanics from Linn Technical College (now State Technical College of Missouri).

A few years after graduation, Stratman bought the family farm in 1977 and married in 1978 to Joan Stratman. They have five children and 13 grandchildren.

In 2018, Stratman’s son wanted to buy the farm and take more responsibility. Around the same time, the role of presiding commissioner opened, inspiring him to run and give the next generation a chance on the farm.

“I thought maybe it was a way to serve the community, do some good. I don’t know if I have or not,” Stratman said.

After eight years, Stratman was going to retire because he didn’t want to be like the national politicians who spend decades in office. However, he believes that he can still do the job for another four years.

To be presiding commissioner, Stratman believes that one needs common sense. For example, state law requires political subdivisions to have a balanced budget. He believes that he demonstrated common sense in allocating money for the “greatest benefit.” That also meant that when Sheriff Mark Morgan asked for more money for his office, Stratman had to say no.

“We didn’t have it. Got to make tough decisions sometimes,” Stratman said.

As for his greatest accomplishments, Stratman initially said that he couldn’t claim success beyond keeping the county running, but in a follow-up call the next day, he cited his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We just tried to lock everything down and sanitize whatever we could and especially the jail,” he said.

The county also received $1.6 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and $1.02 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES).

Stratman said a “lasting legacy” is that the county wisely used the money to upgrade the dispatching center’s equipment. The county’s fire departments and schools received some of those funds. The county also used the money to provide the assessor’s office with a geographic information system (GIS), which helps with pinpointing data.

If he wins the primary election in August and the general election in November, Stratman said that his main priorities will be to keep the county running and oppose the Vichy Solar project by Vesper Energy. After speaking with residents, he believes that most people don’t want the project and that the county would “continue to drag our feet” with the right-of-way usage agreement on county roads.

However, during the June 29 commission meeting, Stratman said that he “probably got too free with talking.” Instead, while Stratman doesn’t see a reason to make the process easier for Vesper Energy, the county must allow the project if it meets the right-of-way requirements. This is because the county doesn’t have planning and zoning and believes that the people wouldn’t pass such a measure to adopt it.

As for his opponent, Stratman said that while he has more experience than Thompson, Stratman doesn’t claim to be a better person and has no concerns about Thompson’s ability to do the job.

“I’ve known Shannon for a long time — knew his dad, knew all his uncles and aunts,” Stratman said. “He’s a good guy.”

Because public safety is important to the county, Stratman believes that Thompson’s experience with the sheriff’s office and Vienna Police Department would be his greatest strength as presiding commissioner. Stratman declined to comment on Thompson’s greatest weakness.

Stratman also declined to comment on whether voters should consider the Vienna Pointe fire when weighing their options. The residential facility burned down in Aug. 7, 2025, after video footage showed Thompson left a cigarette unattended in a nearby planter.

If Stratman wins reelection, his message is that he loves the county and intends to keep Maries County as Maries County, avoiding turning it into St. Louis County. He believes that residents don’t want the county to have 50 factories or 40-50,000 residents, especially with a housing shortage.

But if he loses, he believes Thompson will do a fine job.

“I’m sure Maries County (will) be just fine if I don’t win,” Stratman said.