New Madrid County voters choose city leaders on Tuesday

NEW MADRID, Mo. — In addition to one countywide issue, voters in communities throughout New Madrid County will choose their local leaders in the April 4 general municipal election.

On the ballot for all country voters is whether the county should continue a one-half of 1 percent sales tax to improve transportation infrastructure within the county. Should the sales tax pass, the county would continue to reduce the Road and Bridge property tax by 50 percent.

The two openings on the Canalou Board of Aldermen will be filled by write-ins with no candidates listed for the two-year terms in Ward 1 or Ward 2.

In the Village of Catron, Jay Walker, Cindy Walker and Barbara Tanner are the candidates for the three two-year terms as trustees.

On the ballot in Gideon are George Keith Prewett for a two-year term as North Ward alderman and Lindal Cossey for a two-year term as South Ward alderman.

In Howardville, Jasimane Flennoy is the sole candidate to represent Ward 1 on the Board of Aldermen for the next four years and Bertha M. Bell is unopposed as the candidate in Ward 2.

There is a race in Ward 2 to determine who will serve on the Lilbourn Board of Aldermen. Seeking the two-year term in Ward 2 are Michael Henry and Denise Comstock. Johnnie Baker is unopposed in Ward 1 for a two-year term as alderman.

Marston residents residing in the community’s North Ward will select either Kim Reno or Jeremy Ruby as their next alderman. In the South Ward, Monte Bernard did not draw an opponent for election to the Board of Alderman.

The city of Matthews has three candidates seeking the two openings for alderman-at-large on the city’s’ board. Candidates for the two two-year terms are Travis J. Russom, Mike P. Wareham and Larry Steven Lynn. Jody L. O’Barr is unopposed for the office of mayor.

Also Matthews residents will decide whether to impose a 3 percent sales tax on all retail sales of adult-use marijuana sold in the city of Matthews.

None of the candidates face opposition in Morehouse to serve city residents. Seeking two-year terms are: Joe Brashears, mayor; Patricia McCree, city collector; Gabrielle Hodgkiss, Ward 1 board member; and Susan Majors, Ward 2 board member.

There are three questions on the Morehouse ballot. Voters are being asked whether the board of Aldermen should provide by ordinance the appointment of a collector and a second question asks if the Board of Aldermen should provide by ordinance the appointment of a chief of a police. In addition the city is seeking passage of a local use tax.

New Madrid Ward 2 alderman Nicholas White faces a challenge by Jonathan Wayne Riggs for the two-year term on the town’s city council. Ward 1 alderman Jim Cravens and Ward 3 alderman Gary L. Keene Jr. did not draw an opponent for another two-year term.

Two of the three offices up for election in Parma are contested. Vying for a four-year term as mayor are Kim Hampton and Rufus L. Williamson. In Ward 1, Mark Scallion and Simon Lerma are the candidates for alderman while in Ward 2, Allen Hampton is unopposed for office.

Portageville voters have several issues before them this election. Candidates for the two-year term as mayor are Vince Berry and Rodi Walker while in Ward 1 Lynn Doering and Kristine Adams are vying for alderman. James Christopher Hollingshead is unopposed as Portageville’s Ward 2 alderman.

Current Portageville City Collector Michelle Crawford is not seeking re-election and no one filed for her office. However, voters will vote either yes or no on whether the Board of Aldermen should provide by ordinance the appointment of a city collector.

Also Portageville voters will decide whether the city should impose a 3 percent sales tax on the retail sales of adult use marijuana. The third ballot issue is whether the city should impose a local use tax.

Neither candidate is facing opposition to serve on the Risco Board of Alderman for the next two years. Ricky Davis seeks to represent Risco’s West Ward while Jim Simpson is the sole candidate in the East Ward.

Those Sikeston residents residing in New Madrid County will choose either Ryan Lindsey or Lori A. Caldwell to serve a three-year term as Ward 3 councilman-at-large. In addition the city of Sikeston has proposed placing a 3 percent sales tax on all retail sales of adult use marijuana sold within the Sikeston city limits.

School Boards

Missouri allows school boards to forego an election if there are the same number of candidates seeking the office as openings. New Madrid County R-1, Gideon and Risco school districts will not have an election this year.

Patrons residing in the Portageville School District will fill three three-year terms open on the board. Incumbents Patty Johnson and Mark Moody are on the ballot along with Matt Brasher and Chad Bradley.

A portion of the East Prairie R-2 School District is in New Madrid County. Seeking the three three-year terms on the board are Dwight C. White, Brandon Heath, Tim Wagner, Terry Bruce McLain, John Wayne Davis Jr., John Arington, Charles Wayne Thurman and Jacob Tripp.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 4.