Bollinger County a sweep for GOP

The Banner Press

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Republican candidates overwhelmingly took every office they sought in Bollinger County Tuesday, including sheriff and two county commission seats. The county also lent solid backing to a local fire tax that supporters say will update firefighting equipment, add additonal stations and improve rescue services.

With all 14 precincts counted -- with 66 percent of registered voters going to the polls -- no local Republican candidate garnered less than 61 percent, including re-elections of Sheriff Terry Wiseman, County Commissioners Larry VanGennip and Wayne Whitener and Coroner Charles Hutchings.

Voters also elected a new public administrator in Republican Larry Welker.

Sheriff Terry Wiseman won a second term Tuesday, defeating challenger Andy "Bud" Wiesner 4,014 to 1,796.

"I think the voters liked what was going on in the last four years," Wiseman said. "We'll try to do the same in the next four years."

Wiseman said he was also impressed by the large turnout.

"I think people are more concerned about who they are putting in office," he said. "I also appreciate how Andy campaigned. He ran a good, clean race, and that's how it should be."

Both Republican incumbent county commissioners easily held on to their offices. In District 1, Larry VanGennip beat Gary Beal 1,418 to 895. In District 2, Wayne Whitener beat Ralph Macke 2,196 to 1,217.

VanGennip said he thinks he won by such a wide margin because voters were happy with the job he and the other commissioners have done.

"Things have gone pretty smooth," he said. "I think that gave people a lot of confidence in me and I appreciate it."

Macke, a Democrat who ran against Whitener, said he didn't know why Republicans did so well.

"I guess that's just the way it is," he said. But he pointed out that the races were civil. "The nation can take a lesson on that," he said.

The open public administrator seat went to Republican Larry Welker, who beat Michael Lutes 3,590 to 2,124.

Coroner Charles Hutchings also will retain his seat, after defeating challenger Fred Ritter 3,963 to 1,767.

Bollinger County also approved 744-611 a fire tax that would allow the Patton and Scopus volunteer fire departments to form a north county fire district. The tax will be 28 cents per $100 assessed valuation. Supporters say it will generate $54,000 in the first year and pay for new equipment, trucks, stations, while improving overall fire and rescue services.

"It will give us the financial means to give them the fire service they deserve," said Patton Fire and Rescue chief Bill VanDeven.