Thursday, Oct. 22 2009 6:08PM

LS resident announces candidacy for 56th district

Miranda Wycoff, Journal Staff

Lee’s Summit resident Mike Cierpot has announced his candidacy for Missouri State Representative.

Cierpot, a Republican, is vying for the seat currently held by Brian Yates in District 56, who is not eligible for re-election due to term limits.

Cierpot said he has never held a decision-making public office, but he has served as a county-committee person for 11 years. He has also worked on a number of campaigns, including his wife’s run for the Missouri General Assembly.

“It was just time for me to get more involved and help in the effort,” he said.

Cierpot said an issue that is important to him is to help Missouri get back financially to where it needs to be. “I think the Republicans in Missouri have done a good job,” he said. “A lot of other states are hurting. But we need to get on a sound financial footing and get the spending under control.”

As for the 56th District, which includes portions of Lee’s Summit and Blue Springs, Cierpot said he would like to see “better judgement” on the use of economic development tools.

“I would like to see us use good judgement on TIFs and other things for development,” he said. “Those are good tools, but we need to be careful on when we use them.”

Cierpot has lived in Lee’s Summit for six years and has lived in Eastern Jackson County for more than 30 years. He as worked at SBC/ AT&T for 36 years.

Cierpot’s kick-off party for the November 2010 campaign will be held Oct. 29 at the Coves Clubhouse at 4105 Lake Dr., Lee’s Summit.

To reach Journal reporter Miranda Wycoff, call 816-282-7017 or e-mail mwycoff@lsjournal.com