Many candidates still have not filed for open city offices

Filing closes in most cases on Jan. 20

BENTON - With filing open for many city offices for more than a week, apparently candidates may have their minds on the holidays rather than politics. Many towns are still waiting for candidates to file.

But there is still plenty of time. Filing closes in most cases at 5 p.m. Jan. 20 for the positions to be filled in the April election.

Here is a look at some of the races developing:

The incumbents have filed for office in each of the wards to serve on the Benton Board of Aldermen. Geri Hennemann is seeking re-election in Ward 1 and Jim Arteme in Ward 2. Both are for two-year terms.

There are four two-year terms on the board to be filled in the Chaffee, but only two incumbents have indicated plans to seek election. Seeking re-election in Ward 2 is Robert Sullivan and in Ward 4, Jack Nordin. No one has filed for the Ward 1 seat currently held by Doug Dirnberger or for the Ward 3 position now filled by Mitchell Dooley.

No candidates have indicated they will seek election to the three openings on the Morley Board of Alderman. Terms up for election are the office of mayor, which is held by Hallie Granville; the Ward 1 seat now held by Tony Lackey; and the Ward 2 post currently filled by Ron Cookson. All are two-year terms.

Oran voters will elect four members to their Board of Aldermen and a collector next April. The only candidate to put their name in as of earlier this week was collector Marcia Roslen, who is seeking election again. The other seats to be filled are those currently held by Mayor Tom Urhahn, Ward 1 boardmember Ronnie Diebold, Ward 2 boardmember Bob Ressel, Ward 3 boardmember Debbie Madigan and Ward 4 boardmember Jim Westrich. All are two-year terms.

There will be six offices for New Madrid voters to fill in the April election. Already filed are incumbents Mayor Mark Baker, Collector Sherry Phillips and Municipal Judge Bill Boyd. No one has filed yet for the two year terms on the Board of Aldermen currently held by Richard St. Mary, Russell Riggs and Glen Medlin.

A race has developed in Lilbourn for the office of mayor. Incumbent Frank Ash is being challenged for the two-year term by Larry Joe Hamilton. Others seeking election are incumbents Yvonne Morgan, collector; Jamie Decourley, city marshal and Ward 1 Alderman Robert Taylor; while Alvin Bobo has filed for the Ward 2 seat now held by Larry Holtzhouser. No one has filed for the office of municipal judge which is now held by Richard Colwick.

No one had filed yet for the two two-year terms as aldermen on the board at Matthews.

There will be some decisions to be made by Morehouse voters as races develop for offices. In Ward 1, Dennis Kindle and L.V. Brothers have filed along with incumbent Board member Evelyn Comstock. Terry Landers and Jackie Hays Sr. have filed for the two-year term on the board in Ward 2 now held by Eddie Stinnett. Doug Triplett is seeking the one-year unexpired term as city marshal.

Portageville residents have until 4 p.m. Jan. 20 to indicate whether they will seek office in the April election. Already incumbent Lynn Doering has filed for her seat to represent Ward 1 and Bill Foster is seeking re-election as municipal police judge. No one has yet filed for the Ward 2 board seat now filled by Bruce Martin.

There are three board seats to be filled in April in East Prairie but no one had filed earlier this week. The positions are currently held by Billy Hatton, Ward 1; Harold Lemons, Ward 2; and Bobby McTigue, Ward 3.

Charleston, which has a city manager form of government, closed filing for the April election. Seeking election to three-years terms on the council are David Manker, Sandy Harvey and Jackie Whiteside.