SIKESTON -- Races for the April 3 municipal election have been set as filing for candidacy ended Tuesday.
Voters in Miner will elect a mayor, two aldermen in Ward 1 and one alderman in Ward 2 when they step up to the polls in April. Vying for the two-year term as mayor are Don Foster and incumbent Darren Chapman. Other races include: Paul Luber and Alec Burden, Ward 1 (one-year term); Frank Tatum and Kyle Hux, Ward 1 (two-year term); and Edward Cantrell, Billy Williams and incumbent Bill James, Ward 2 alderman (two years).
In Morley, no one filed for mayor -- a position currently held by Marlin O'Neal. However, voters have three candidates to choose from for its alderman-at-large position: Earl Woods, Charles Freed and Peggy Belcher.
In the race for mayor of Morehouse, voters will choose between incumbent Pete Leija and Tim Brashears. a mayor with a one-year unexpired term and Wards 1 and 2 aldermen for two-year terms. Ward 2 Alderman incumbent Randy Dill will face Nathan Vent while Ward 1 alderman John Holbert is unopposed in his bid for re-election.
Running unopposed in Matthews for two-year terms are incumbent Reuben White for Ward 1 alderman and incumbent Bud Armstrong for Ward 2 alderman.
In race for Ward 1 alderman in Portageville, voters will choose between incumbent Jessie James and John DuBois. Running unopposed are Vince Berry, incumbent for Ward 2 alderman, and Christopher Stinnett, incumbent for municipal court judge.
Voters in Bertrand will choose one of the three candidates for the Ward 2 alderman: John Noon, April Farquhar and incumbent Alicia Hise. Running unopposed in his bid for Ward 1 alderman is incumbent Justin Lynch.
In the city of Charleston, voters will choose two of the three candidates to fill its two at-large council member positions: incumbent Patrick Farmer, Ben Ray and Tommy Butler. Michael Jones currently holds the other at-large position expiring in April, and opted not to seek re-election.
Running unopposed in the city of New Madrid are its incumbents: Mayor Richard Bodi; City Marshal Joey Higgerson; and aldermen: Tommy Chism, Ward 1; Anthony Young, Ward 2; and Ryan Riley, Ward 3.
In Lilbourn, voters will choose one of the following for mayor: incumbent Robert Taylor or Kevin Lyons. In Ward 1 alderman race, incumbent Terry Hawkins is challenged by Vernon Birdwell while Ward 2 voters will choose between Eddie Eaton and Richard "Dickie" Kolwyck for the one-year term. Running unopposed are incumbents: Jasmikia "Jazz" Davis, chief of police; Yvonne Morgan for collector; and Larry Joe Hamilton for Ward 2 alderman (two-year term).
Lilbourn voters will also decide whether the city voters will elect or the board of alderman appoint its chief of police.
In Oran, Mayor Gary Senciboy is unopposed in his bid for re-election. Collector Marcia Roslen challenged by Donna Dinges. Ward 2 Alderman Gil Roslen will face Laura Sternberg. In Ward 3, Alderman Richard Randolph is opposed by Karen Diebold. Running unopposed for Ward 1 Alderman is incumbent Ronnie Diebold Sr. In Ward 4, Kevin Williams is the sole council candidate. Incumbent Neal Seyer opted not to seek re-election.
In Benton two-year terms held by Ward 1 alderperson Geri Hennemann and Ward 2 alderman David Gelsheimer will expire in April. Phone calls made Thursday to Benton City Hall for a filing update were unsuccessful.
In East Prairie, Robert Moore is seeking another term as Ward 2 alderman. In Wards 1 and 3, two-year terms currently held by Karen Coffer, Ward 1; and Kellie Bone, Ward 3 expire in April. Filing information was unavailable as phone calls made Thursday to East Prairie City Hall were unsuccessful.
By Sikeston's charter, filing closed for the three openings -- mayor and Ward 2 and Ward 3 council member s -- on Sikeston's city council in November. One race will be contested on the April ballot.
In the race for Sikeston's mayor, incumbent Steven H. Burch is challenged by John Graham. Running unopposed are incumbents Gerald D. Settles, council member-Ward 2; and Karen R. Evans, council member-Ward 3.