Berry Elected Alderman Ward 1

As the saying goes with the New Year, the same can be applied to both municipal and school boards.

Vince Berry has been voted in as the next alderman for Ward I in Portageville. With a total of 184, Berry received 96 votes to incumbent Delmar Edgar's 88 votes.

"I am grateful and humbled to the voters of Portageville in Ward 1 for giving me this opportunity to work with the City Council and try to improve our City," said Alderman -elect Vince Berry. He is not a stranger to the City Council as this will make his second time to be on the City Council. One of his goals is to work to expanding the city's tax base and to make sure the City Government is responsive to the citizens and to seeks ways for growth.

"I believe there is no finer City that Portageville. The people pull together when there are problems and are always right there for each other. Again, I am just grateful to have the opportunity to go to work for them," said Berry. "I also want to commend Delmar Edgar. He is a good and honorable public servant," he added.

In the other seats, there were not opposition with all incumbents retaining their seats.

Christopher Stinnett received 283 votes for Municipal Judge. Floyd E. Simmons received 126 votes for his Alderman Ward II seat.

For the Portageville School Board, newcomer Jarrett Warren upset incumbent Deborah Mosby. He collected 250 votes and she received 208 votes. Two other incumbents will retain their seat on the PHS Board of Education. Lynda Priggel gained the most votes with 256 while Mark Moody received 249 votes.

Above, Election Judge Ervin Gremard observes a Portageville resident as she inserts her ballot into the new electronic tabulation machine in Tuesday's election.

Above, Election Judge Ervin Gremard observes a Portageville resident as she inserts her ballot into the new electronic tabulation machine in Tuesday's election.

This was the first time for the new voting machines to be used. Instead of using properly marked ballots into a locked ballot box, each voter insert their ballot into an electronic tabulation machine that scanned the ballot and recorded the votes in an encrypted form onto a flash drive, which made the county process much more easier at the courthouse.