Stoddard County, MO - There are multiple contested races for the municipal election slated for April 6, 2021. Below is a list of who is on the ballot.
Advance City: Incumbents William Woodward and Michael Cato will run unopposed for Advance Board of Aldermen as will Mayor Ryan Slinkard.
Advance School Board: There will not be any changes for the Advance Board of Education as incumbents Nanie Hawkins and Jim Below will run unopposed.
Bell City: Incumbents Michelle Bradshaw in Ward I and Dorothy Burton in Ward II will run unopposed. One seat in Ward II was vacated; however no one filed to run for this seat. It is possible for someone to file as a write-in candidate and fill the seat. If this does not happen, the city will make a decision on the seat at a later date.
Bell City School Board: For a second time a non-election has been declared in the Bell City School Board race. Under Missouri State Statute 115.124, a school board election is not required if the number of people running matches the number of seats available. Sarah Bailey, who was appointed to fill a seat vacated by a school board member unable to complete the term, has filed to retain her appointed seat and is running unopposed. Incumbent Mark Anderson is also running unopposed, as is Eric Bowling, who will be new to the board. One incumbent, whose name was not released, has decided not to seek re-election.
Bernie School Board: The incumbents. Gary Eaton and School Board President Judy Zoll have filed for re-election and will both run unopposed.
Bernie Board of Aldermen: There will be four seats. Incumbents Bruce Appleton in Ward I and Scott Spitzer in Ward III will run unopposed. Incumbent Marisa Farmer in Ward II will face challenger Wayne Williams. Kristi Bales is running unopposed for a one-year term due to the seat being vacated before the completion of the original two-year term.
Bloomfield City: Two incumbents, Bonnie Blue in Ward I and Frank Sifford in Ward II will not seek re-election. Tim Clary has filed for Ward I and Cecil Haley has filed for Ward II. Both will run unopposed. Mayor Bill Aslin has field for re-election and is running unopposed.
Bloomfield School Board: Just like Bell City, a non-election has been declared in the Bloomfield School Board Race. Incumbent Scott Gibbs will not seek re-election. However with incumbent Brad Warner and Justin Bell filing to run, the number of candidates matches the number of seats available. Under this scenario an election is not required under Missouri law.
Dexter Board of Aldermen: There are three seats available. Incumbent Terry Battles will run unopposed for Ward I. In Ward II incumbent Tim Aslin will face Stoddard County Coroner Brent Stidham. In Ward III incumbent Mike Shepard is challenged by Ronald Ahrens.
Dexter School Board: The Dexter Board of Education will have two new faces for empty seats as incumbents Jim Reiker and Rick Williams will not be running in 2021. Jon Thompson and Aaron Mathis will run unopposed to fill the two empty seats.
Essex City: Incumbents Karen Galloway in Ward I and Bobby Morgan Ward II will run for re-election unopposed. Appointed Mayor Angela Malloy will seek re-election unopposed.
Richland School Board: There are five residents running for two seats on the Richland Board of Education. Incumbent David Wheeler is not seeking re-election. Incumbent David Wyman has filed for re-election. Wyman will have to fend off three of the four challengers to retain his seat. Landon Wheeler, Chris Porter, Kevin Holman and Christy Stoker have all field for two seats available.
Puxico Board of Aldermen: Jeff Thomas and Pattie McLean will run unopposed for two seats on the Board. McLean is running for a one-year term to complete a term left incomplete following the death of an alderman. Incumbent Harlen Lamb is running unopposed in Ward II as he seeks re-election. Mayor Rick McLean is running unopposed as he seeks re-election as mayor. No candidates filed to run for municipal judge. It is still possible for an individual to run as a write-in candidate. If this does not happen, the city will have to request a circuit court judge to appoint someone to fill the position.
The Puxico voters will have a ballot question to answer as well. The question asks voters if the city of Puxico can forgo an election if the number of candidates matches the number positions in the office being sought. If this passes then an election such as the April election with three aldermen and the mayor running unopposed would not have to be held.
Puxico School Board: There will be no changes as incumbents John Davis and Dusty Stroud will run unopposed for re-election.
Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6th. The ShowMe Times will be at the Commission office at 7 p.m. to announce local results.
