New Madrid County items on Tuesday's ballot

NEW MADRID, Mo. - On Tuesday, New Madrid County voters will chose their city and school leaders and in some towns decide tax propositions and whether certain officials should be appointed rather than elected.

CITY OFFICES

In Canalou there are three offices to be filled in the upcoming election, yet there is only one candidate listed on the ballot. Write-in votes will determine who will serve the two-year term as mayor and a two-year term as Ward 1 alderman. In Ward 2, Sarah E. Russom is on the ballot to serve a two-year term on the Board of Aldermen.

Catron residents are to select three people to serve on the Board of Trustees. Listed on the ballot are Wayne Mims and Mary Trosper with write-in votes to decide the third member of the Board.

Howardville will elect a mayor and aldermen from Wards 1 and 2 to two-year terms. Mayor Jessie Newson Jr. is seeking re-election. Also on the ballot are Jimmy Daniel to represent Ward 1 and in Ward 2 incumbent Doug Haney.

There is a three-way race for Lilbourn’s city collector. Amanda Lawrence and Wendy Henry are seeking election along with current collector Virgie Johnson.

Voters will also have decisions in three other Lilbourn races. Robert Taylor and Danny Sprouse are seeking election to the office of mayor while in Ward 1 incumbent Terry L. Hawkins is opposed by Larry Long and in Ward 2 incumbent alderman Larry Joe Hamilton is facing a challenge from Benji Henry.

Gideon voters have just one contested race on the ballot. In the North Ward, Austin Adams and Vicki Berry are vying for the two-year term on the Board of Aldermen. Unopposed on the ballot are Lawrence “Toby” Jordan for mayor, Rinda Dillard for chief of police and Dustin Penrod for South Ward alderman. All offices are two-year terms.

Voters in Matthews will elect two aldermen-at-large for a two-year term. Candidates are Travis Russom, Keith Duke and Reggi Vandever.

With an opening for Morehouse’s city marshal, three candidates’ have placed their names on the ballot. Seeking the two-year term are Jimmy Fowler Jr., Brianna Madigan and Curtis Burnett.

Seeking a two-year term as Morehouse Ward 1 is Darren Dial and Randy Dill is on the ballot for a two-year term in Ward 2. Derick Warren opposes Susan Majors for the one-year unexpired term in Ward 2. Patti McCree has filed for a one-year unexpired term as Morehouse city collector.

Also Morehouse voters will decide whether the city marshal and city collector should be appointed positions rather than elected. In addition voters will be asked if the city should impose a use tax.

With New Madrid Mayor Dick Bodi not seeking another term, there is a race to take his place. Voters will choose either current alderman Nick White or former mayor Donald Brown to fill the post.

Others seeking office in New Madrid are unopposed and are incumbent Joey Higgerson for city marshal; Tommy Chism, who currently serves as Ward 1 alderman; Jimmy McSpadden for the Ward 2 seat presently held by Anthony Young; and incumbent Ryan Riley in Ward 3.

North Lilbourn residents are to elect three members of the Board of Trustees. Listed on the ballot are Gregory Hughes and Ernest McFerren with write-in votes to decide the third member.

Parma residents residing in Ward 1 will select either Joanna Ray or Lora Scallion as alderman for a two-year term while in Ward 2, Lydia Cackowski and Lorenda Vargas are the candidates for a two-year term on the Board.

Portageville voters will fill two two-year terms as alderman from Wards 1 and 2 and a four-year term for municipal judge. Gary Faulk and Patty Estes Johnson have seeking the Ward 1 alderman post while Michael T. Johnson and Shirley Estes are seeking election in Ward 2. Current municipal judge Christopher Stinnett is unopposed in his election bid. Also Portageville residents will vote either yes or no on whether the city should appoint its city collector.

None of the incumbents face challengers in Risco. For the Board of Aldermen, Sheila Halford is seeking another term as the West Ward representative and Charles “Burt” Todd as the East Ward alderman. Paul Hayes is seeking re-election as the town’s mayor.

Those Sikeston residents living in New Madrid County will help select the town’s councilman-at-large and Ward 4 council member along with voting on a question involving the restriction of fireworks within the city limits. Seeking the three-year term as councilman-at-large are John Leible and Lori Caldwell. Onethia T. Williams is the sole candidate for Ward 4 council member.

Tallapoosa voters will pick either Alice Darmofal or Randy Shane DeProw as the town’s mayor. Unopposed for a one-year term on the board of aldermen is Marty DeProw.

SCHOOL BOARDS

The incumbents have also filed for the New Madrid County R-1 School Board. Unopposed are Ryan Eddy and Jenny Cope.

Portageville School District patrons will decide two school proposition. Proposition Safe Bulldog is a no-tax increase proposal to provide funds with monies from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to construct a storm shelter which will also serve as multi-purpose building. The second proposal, Proposition Bulldog, seeks a 25 cent increase to the District’s operating tax levy to fund pay increases for teachers, maintenance of District facilities and educational programs.

Portageville Board members Micah Rone and Michael Prince are unopposed on the ballot.

Incumbents Daniel Presley and Jeff White are unopposed in seeking three-year terms on the Risco School Board.

With Larry Wiggs and Vicky Raymond the only candidates for the two openings, Gideon School District opted not to conduct an election.

The Sikeston R-6 School District reaches into New Madrid County. Those living in the District will chose two board members for three-year terms. Seeking the openings are Rebecca C. Steward, Lori Caldwell, Matthew Drake and Allison Lauren Cox.

A portion of the East Prairie R-2 School District is in New Madrid. Those New Madrid County residents residing within the District will choose three members to serve on the Board of Education from among the following: Carlin Bennett, Chad Allen Grissom, Bryan Mainord, Bridget Allen, Cyndi Norton, Michael Wolford, Charles Wayne Thurman and Dwight C. White.