BOLLINGER COUNTY COMMISSION RACES CROSDED

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Road improvements and the quest for new business and industry are on the minds of 11 Bollinger County commissioner candidates hoping to fill two open seats on the commission.

The August 8 primary will narrow the field to four -- two in each of the two commission districts -- for the November general election.

Six of the primary candidates are in the 1st district, including four Republicans, John F. Johnson Jr., Elwood Mouser, Larry P. Vangennip and Adrian Shell; and two Democrats, incumbent Robert W. Gray and Junior W. Long.

Second district commissioner candidates are Republicans Wayne Whitener, Ralph Collier and Dan Hovis and Democrats incumbent Kelvn E. Yount, and incumbent Junior E. Cook, Democrats.

The southern district includes voting precincts of Lutesville 1 and 2 and Huxie, Glen Allen, Sitze, Zalma-Greenbrier, Sturdivant and Drum-Dongola.

The northern district includes precincts at Patton, Youth's Store, Hurricane, Lutesville, Bollinger, Scopus and Marble Hill 1 and 2.

Elwood Mouser, of Marble Hill, has already served eight years on the commission and hopes to serve again. Mouser, who was presiding commissioner, lost by 17 votes last time around.

One of his Republican opponents will be John F. Johnson Jr., a Bollinger County farmer for 26 years. Johnson, of Advance, a University of Missouri-Columbia graduate, is a member of the SEMO Electric Board and the Advance School Board.

Other Republican candidates in the first district are Larry P. Vangennip, of Advance, and Adrian Shell, of Marble Hill.

Vangennip, a retired Missouri Highway Department supervisor, has been involved in farming in the county since 1958. He is past president of the Bollinger county Historical Society, and past board member of Bollinger County Livestock producers.

Adrian Shell could not be reached for comment.

Gray is the Democratic incumbent. He was appointed last year following the death of Jerry Woodfin. "I've enjoyed being the commissioner for the first district since November of 1999," he said. "With continued good management, I believe better things can happen for the county.

His primary is challenger is Junior Long, who could not be contacted.

Dan Hovis, one of three Republican candidates in the second district, operates a timber-buying business. He previously served as alderman at Marble Hill. "I'm a businessman in the country," said Hovis. "I operate a $20 million company, and I feel I'm qualified to serve as commissioner."

Hovis' Republican opponents are Wayne Whitener and Ralph Collier.

Whitener, a native of Bollinger County, operated a national car rental franchise in Shreveport, La., before moving back to the area five years ago. He is retired, serves as a volunteer with Meal on Wheels, and at the food bank in Marble Hill.

Colliers is a retired farmer. "I want to see an upgrading of county roads and more industry, to keep our children and grandchildren in the area," he said.

Junior E. Cook is one of two Democrats running in the second district. He was a commissioner for 10 years, through 1996. "I'd like to get back in," he said. "I feel I can help with the county road situation," he said. I feel I'm qualify ;to be a commissioner."

Cook's Democrat opponent is Kelvin Yount of Marquand. ,owner of Yount's Farm Supply at Patton Junction. "I feel we need better representation on the commission," he said. "If people have a problem with road, or anything concerning the county, they deserve a person to listen to their problems."

THE CANDIDATES

First District

Commissioner

Republican

John F. Johnson Jr., Advance.

Elwood Mouser, Marble Hill.

Larry P. Vangennip, Advance.

Adrian Shell, Marble Hill.

Democrat

Robert W. Gray, Glen Allen.

Junior W. Long, Glen Allen.

Second District

Commissioner

Republican

Wayne Whitener, Marble Hill.

Ralph Collier, Marble Hill.

Dan Hovis, Marble Hill.

Democrat

Kelvin E. Yount, Marquand.

Junior E. Cook, Marble Hill