Editor’s note: The following questionnaire was sent to Republican candidates for Limestone County License Commissioner who qualified to appear on the June 5 primary ballot. The News Courier sent questionnaires to all candidates who have opposition in the upcoming primary, and we will run their responses each Wednesday and Saturday leading up to the primary. Responses have been checked for spelling, but they otherwise appear as we received them. Campaign finance reports for candidates will be published as space allows.

Name: Gloria Cooper

Age: 47

Hometown: Athens, AL

Current city of residence: Athens, Al

Occupation: Business owner and operator of Jamie Cooper Television, Inc. and Cooper & Company/Mornins, Inc.

Education: Schurz High School

Personal: Married to Jamie Cooper

Seat/position you are seeking: Limestone County License Commissioner

Previous political experience: First woman to ever qualify for a paid political office on the Republican ballot.

• What do you see as the three biggest challenges facing the license commissioner’s office? Please state how you, as license commissioner, would work to overcome those challenges. Please be concise but specific:

Improve customer service by adopting new technology that moves customers in and out of the office as quickly as possible so that they can get on with their day. Consider programs that allow customers to renew or register for licenses remotely.

Improve transparency and accountability at the county level. I want every penny of taxpayer dollars spent by the commission’s office to continue to be available for public view and scrutiny as well as add more services in remote areas while staying within the budget or even possibly decreasing the budget.

Make doing business with the License’s office as convenient, efficient, expediate, and pleasant as possible. I know that your time is valuable and customer service is one of my number one priorities as well as one of my strongest assets.

• Please explain what relevant experience you have in terms of the elected position you are seeking. Please give specific examples of how that relevant experience would make you the ideal person for the job:

As the only candidate who is a business owner I know first hand what it takes to lead an office. This experience has prepared me for this opportunity. As a Christian businesswoman I know how important it is to balance a budget and fiscal responsibility. I will bring this knowledge to the License Commissioner’s office and be a watchdog for tax payers dollars. This is the people’s office and they deserve the best services possible.

• As leader of a county department, you will be tasked with hiring new employees. That being said, please explain whether you believe Limestone County needs a civil service board to prevent nepotism. Why or why not?

I believe Limestone County should have the same rigorous rules that prevent nepotism at the state and federal levels. When the best person for an open position is related to someone in a leadership position at any level, I support a civil service board to make unbiased hiring decisions.

• Please explain what measures you will take to ensure transparency and accountability with taxpayer dollars:

I support broadcasting county commission meetings online so that every citizen can take part in public operations. I believe every penny of taxpayer money spent at the county level should be accounted for and an accounting of such be made available to the public in an accessible and easy-to-digest way.

• Please explain why voters should consider you over your opponents:

Over the years you have seen me in the community covering events for work, volunteering and being a member of this community. That’s why I have decided to run for License Commissioner. I want to serve the great people of this County. It will be my priority to make doing business with this office as easy, transparent, convenient and accessible as possible. I want to put my conservative values and integrity to work for Limestone County. I’ve worked since I was 15 years old and not been given anything. I am a hard worker as well as a quick learner. Having a flexible schedule will allow me to be able to to train with Mr. Tucker until the position is taken in October, 2019. This is a wonderful opportunity as well as an opportunity to make history in Limestone County for women. I would be honored to be your License Commissioner and continue to work for the people of Limestone County.