By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

Today is election day in Missouri, and voters across the region will be choosing mayors, aldermen, school board members and deciding on tax and other referendums.

In Dexter, aldermen in all three wards will be elected. Incumbent Terry Battles faces Jerrry Jenkins in Ward 1 and incumbent Rick Hux faces Billy McClain in Ward 2. John Kirby Taylor is unopposed in Ward 3.

Four candidates are seeking three seats on the Dexter Board of Education. Incumbents Betty Keirsey and Mark Nea, and challengers Kevin Bishop and Annette Hux are on the school board ballot. Voters will be asked to vote for three candidates.

Voters in Rural Water District #4 will decide Ton whether the district shoul issue$2.6 million in bonds to replace equipment that has been in place since the early 1970s. The water district includes about 500 customers north and east of Dexter.

When are the polls open?

Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

I'm not sure where to vote.

In Dexter, there are three ward and one Dexter rural polling places:

• Dexter Ward One: Second General Baptist Church
• Dexter Ward Two: Keller Public Library
• Dexter Ward Three: Dexter Municipal Building (on Vine Street)
• Dexrter Rural: Sacred Heart Catholic Church

For questions concerning other polling places in Stoddard County, contact County Clerk Joe Watson at 568-3339.

How will I find out the winners?

The ShowMe Times will post the latest election results throughout the evening on Facebook and Twitter. For complete election results check the ShowMe Times on Wednesday.

Photo Above: Mariranne Bruce was an early morning voter in Dexter Ward Two. Polls throughout Missouri stay open until 7 p.m.

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

JEFFERSON CITY - A new face and voice for work zone safety will be taking the messages statewide this year.

Standing at an impressive 11 feet tall and made from recycled orange and white barrels is the new statewide spokesperson - Barrel Bob.

"Barrel Bob has been immensely popular in Kansas City and has really helped area motorists to pay attention and slow down in work zones," said Don Hillis, director of system management for the Missouri Department of Transportation. "We thought he could help us educate the rest of the state in a positive way and take our current theme of ‘Don't Barrel Through Work Zones' even further."

Motorists around the state will begin hearing Barrel Bob's safety messages on the radio during Work Zone Awareness Week April 4-8. Throughout the summer, radio and internet banner ads, safety advertisements on fuel pump tops and information on the electronic message boards will remind motorists to drive safely in work zones.

State officials are joining MoDOT in promoting the work zone safety message.

“As spring finally begins to break through this long winter season, many of us take to the roads to experience new places while our road crews, engineers and construction workers get to work on building and repairing our roadways,” State Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, said. “As we set out on our journeys, we should be mindful of being safe when we travel, especially when it comes to work zones we may encounter.”

As a part of the week’s events, taking place from April 4-8, the Southeast District of MoDOT enlisted the help of area legislators for a Work Zone Awareness Wall of Fame on Flickr.

MoDOT’s Hillis stressed the importance of work zone safety.

"Work zone safety is personal to all of us," Hillis said. "We want our employees to go home safe and sound every night, and we want motorists to get where they're going quickly and safely."

In 2010, 15 people were killed in Missouri work zones, an increase from 2009 when 13 people were killed. There were 1,033 people injured in 2010 in Missouri work zones, compared to 676 in 2009. This is an increase of almost 53 percent. Between 2006 and 2010, 64 people were killed and 4,294 people were injured in Missouri work zones.

Since 2000, 15 MoDOT employees have been killed in the line of duty.

The top five contributing circumstances for work zone crashes in 2010 were following too closely, inattention, improper lane usage/change, driving too fast for conditions and failure to yield. In 2010, of the 819 traffic fatalities, 632 were vehicle occupant fatalities and 68 percent of them were not wearing a seat belt.

"We're again reminding the public to rate work zones they've driven through because that first-hand information will help us make adjustments and increase safety for motorists and our work crews," Hillis said. To fill out a Work Zone Customer Survey and help improve MoDOT work zones, visit www.modot.org/workzones/comments.htm.

For more information about construction projects statewide, look for work zone locations on MoDOT's interactive traveler information map at http://www.modot.org/ or call 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

Cyber bullying is outlawed now in Dexter under a new ordinance unanimously passed by the Dexter Board of Aldermen Monday night.

The board passed the new ordinance at its first meeting of the month after it was introduced by City Attorney Bud Lawrence. The new ordinance prohibits any form of cyber-harassment in the city and provides for penalties if found guilty.

Lawrence presented the ordinance and after discussion with Major Charles Sanders of the Dexter Police Department, decided to go ahead with passage of the new law. Sanders told the board that reports of cyber bullying and harassment occur every week, and that it is becoming a more common crime in the city.

The new ordinance will make it a crime to “harass, alarm, annoy, abuse, threaten, intimidate, torment or embarrass any other person” using electronic devices. The harassment will occur as well if any “lewd, lascivious, indecent or obscene words, images or language or suggestion the commission of any lewd or lascivious act.”

Lawrence clarified for the board that cyber bullying occurs repeatedly a period of time, not a singular incident.

Aldermen also passed an ordinance officially approving the bid from C.A. Walker Construction for $497,000 for the construction of the addition and partial remodeling of the city police station. Walker submitted the low bid for the project. Work will begin soon on the long-awaited project.

Fire Chief Al Banken reported to the board that his department has received a grant for equipment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Banken informed the board the approval of a grant of $76,590 for the purchase of rescue equipment and turnout gear for the local department. The city’s share in the project will be $3,829.

Parks and Recreation chief Lawson Metcalf reported that the spring sports sign-ups for track, soccer, and baseball/softball have ended. Metcalf reported participation in the programs has remained somewhat steady, with slight dips in registration in all three programs.

• Track: 55 registered this year; 58 last year
• Soccer: 71 registered this year; 77 last year
• Baseball/Softball: 421 this year; 423 last year

Larry Manuel spoke to the board concerning the possibility of installing a three-way stop at the intersection of McCormick and East Stoddard streets. Officials reported they would check into the situation and seek a solution to the traffic situation in Ward III.

Library director Pam Trammel reported that April 10-16 is National Library Week, and the Keller Public Library would observe the week by serving cookies to patrons on Monday and would forgive overdue fines if material were returned.

Photo Above: Ward II Aldermen Kent Essner asked questions of Major Charles Sanders of the Dexter Police Department about the implementation of the new cyber-bullying ordinance in the city.

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Senate gave first round approval last week to a measure sponsored by the area’s state senator that would change provisions in the state’s abortion laws.

In an overwhelming voice vote, the Senate affirmed a bill that would make it a felony to perform an abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy unless the mother's life or health was threatened, or the fetus is determined to be non-viable. The bill simultaneously stiffens the requirements to legally meet these conditions. State Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, sponsored the bill.br]
“Protecting the sanctity of life has been, and will remain, one of my top priorities while serving in the Missouri General Assembly,” said Mayer. “As a lawmaker, I strive each and every day to provide a voice for those who do not yet have one to share.”

The legislation would, with the exception of a medical emergency, require the physician to determine the gestational age of the unborn child before performing an abortion. If the doctor determines the baby is 20 weeks or more, the physician would test for viability. If viable, no abortion could be performed unless it is necessary to preserve the life of the woman.

If the unborn child is 20 weeks or more, not determined viable, and an abortion is performed, the bill requires the doctor to submit a report to the Department of Health and Senior Services.

“At 20 weeks, a baby is approximately the length of a banana, she can hear sounds and even covers her ears with her hands if things are too noisy, and her twisting, turning, punching and kicking movements can start to be felt by the mother,” said Mayer. “State law already requires mothers to be informed about other alternatives to abortion.”

Penalties for violating the provisions of this bill would include a Class C felony, and physicians who plead guilty to or are convicted of performing or inducing an abortion in violation of this act could be subject to having their license to practice medicine in Missouri suspended for three years.

Also, any hospital or ambulatory surgical center that knowingly violates this act could be subject to suspension or revocation of its license.

The bill must receive a second vote of approval before advancing to the House for similar consideration.

Related Links
❍ http://www.senate.mo.gov/

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowME Times Editor

BLOOMFIELD - April 3, 2011 - When voters go to the polls this Tuesday to cast ballots for city and school board races, Joe Watson will be busy preparing to receive and count those ballots Tuesday evening.

The counting machine has been tested and is ready, the staff experienced and prepared, and Watson is ready for his first election as Stoddard County’s chief elections officer.

Watson was elected as Stoddard County Clerk last November and assumed his new office in January. He said the transition from businessman in the private sector to public official has been a smooth one, and he is looking forward to Tuesday’s election.

“We’re ready for Tuesday,” Watson said. While this will be Watson’s first election as county clerk, it’s not his staff's first. Watson kept an experienced clerk’s office staff with more than 3 decades combined experience in managing the business of elections in the county. “It’s a good staff; we work well together.”

Voters in Dexter will have two contested aldermanic races on the ballot. In Ward I, incumbent Jerry Jenkins faces Jerry Jenkins and Ward II Alderman Rick Hux faces a challenge from newcomer Bill McClain. Ward III Alderman Kirby John Taylor has no opponent on the ballot.

Four candidates are vying for three positions on the Dexter Board of Education. Incumbents Betty Keirsey and Mark Nea are joined by Kevin Bishop and Annette Hux. Voters can vote for three on Tuesday’s ballot.

One of the biggest issues on Tuesday’s ballot involves voters in Rural Water District No. 4. Voters in that rural Dexter will have the chance to decide on whether or not to approve issues $2.6 million on bonds to replace equipment.

Rural Water District 4 encompasses about 500 customers in a region north and east of Dexter.

Other races in the county include:

• Advance School District voters will be asked to decide on a 25-cent includes to the district’s operating levy, currently set at $2.75 per $100 assessed valuation. District officials report approval of the issues would generate approximately $72,000 annually.

• Bernie voters have races in two wards Incumbent Ivan Mekan faces Randy Jennings and John Atkinson in Ward 3; Dennis Jackson faces Tim Gage in Ward2. Ward I alderman Todd Young is running unopposed.

• Voters in the Richland will see three familiar names on the school district ballot: Incumbent Terry Blair, Loyd Odum and Kevin Evans.

Polls open throughout Stoddard County and the state at 6 a.m. and will remain open until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5.

Watson clarified that voters in Advance Rural will vote in the same place they did last time - the old Advance high school gym.

The ShowMe Times will be on hand Tuesday evening at the County Clerk’s Office in Bloomfield and will report the results as they are posted on Facebook and Twitter. And a complete report of all election results in Stoddard County will be published on the SMT website,

Photo above: Stoddard County Clerk Joe Watson and his staff are ready for the school board and municpial elections this Tuesday. Watson's staff includes (from left) Debbie Smith, Virginia DeGroot and Ginger Goodman.