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Joe Stephens candidate for Du Quoin council

n announcing his candidacy for Du Quoin City Council Joe Stephens tells the newspaper, "Today I am excited to announce my candidacy for the office of Du Quoin City Commissioner. I am the son of Doris and the late Tim Stephens and I have lived and worked in and around the City of Du Quoin for the past 58 years. My wife Billie Stephens is the secretary at Du Quoin High School and we have shared 24 years of marriage together. I have three children which include my oldest daughter Emily Melvin, who lives in Energy with her husband Aaron and daughter Jayne. My son Will Stephens lives in Murphysboro and is the Mayor of that city and my youngest daughter Kate Stephens is a graduate of D.H.S. and John A. Logan College, also residing in Murphysboro.

"The values I plan on bringing to the office of commissioner are shaped by my lifelong commitment to Du Quoin. These values were formed at a young age by the leaders and community members of Sacred Heart Parish in Du Quoin, of which I am a lifelong member. I am also a member of the local Elks and Eagles lodges and recently had the privilege of being name Du Quoin Elks Citizen of the Year. Furthermore, I am a 38 year member of the United Mine Workers, as well as a member of the Du Quoin Park Board.

"In 2012 I began research on Du Quoin's role in the Civil War. That research resulted in the building of a monument to Du Quoin's Civil War Veterans which was placed in Keyes Park. That monument bears the names of those brave men from Du Quoin that lost their lives for the cause of freedom during that great conflict. It represents Du Quoin's proud past and it is my belief that we can go forward with a proud future that promotes all Du Quoin has to offer to residents and visitors alike.

"Nearly every day I walk around our city. During these evening walks I have the pleasure of talking with people from all walks of life. They tell me about their needs, concerns and hopes for the future. These conversations are the motivating force behind my desire to become the next Commissioner of the City of Du Quoin. As I make this announcement today I also want the people of Du Quoin to know that once elected I will be as approachable as I am today. Not on social networking or Facebook, but in person. When elected I will always make a sincere effort to solve residents problems, or connect them with someone who can.

"Every election cycle politicians make promises. Often these promises are unrealistic, self-serving, or forgotten soon after Election Day. I cannot fix every problem that people have, no one can do that, but I will promise the residents of Du Quoin a two things. I will listen to your problem and do my best to address it and as commissioner I will do everything I can to assure that everyone gets a fair shake. Not just the privileged few, but every citizen of Du Quoin. For more information contact 618-318-5090."