BURD BEATS ROSE IN OLMSTEAD'S MAYORAL RACE

OLMSTEAD, Ill. -- While most incumbents stayed in office in Pulaski County, Jim Burd unseated the mayor of Olmstead. Elmer Rose lost to Burdy by seven votes in an election Tuesday. Rose had unseated Burd by six votes four years ago after Burd had served in office for 24 years.

"There ain't no need getting upset," Rose said. "He's the better man. By seven votes."

Rose said he plans to run again in 2001. "I hope he's man enough to shake my hand like I shook his today," Rose said. "He didn't shake my hand last time."

Burd couldn't be reached for comment.

A third candidate, Randy Neely had 57 votes.

Rose wasn't the only incumbent to lose his seat in Olmstead. Trustee Gary Stephens finished fourth in a field of five candidates running for three seats with 72 votes. Incumbents Curtis Marshall had 126 votes and Keith Stricker had 89. Newcomer Bobby Killius polled 94 votes for the third seat, while Donnie Sheffer had 86.

The only other Pulaski County incumbent who lost a race yesterday was Cleveland Forbes in Mound City. Forbes lost his post as Ward 3 Alderman to Tim Schaal, 82 to 66.

Otherwise, the only new faces in Pulaski County municipal offices didn't face incumbents.

In Mounds, Mayor John Britton, won his first full term in office, defeating Bob Lasley, 99 to 27. Britton had moved up from the Board of Aldermen to fill the unexpired term of Marguerite Ward, who resigned for health reasons.

In Ward 3, Robert Marler polled 49 votes to Charles Willis' 17. Noel Roberson and Bob Lasley ran unopposed for the other seats on the Board of Aldermen.

Treasurer April Jackson ran unopposed for re-election after her challenger, Debra Severs, withdrew from the race.

In Mound City, Sam Johnson won his second four-year term in office as mayor, defeating Dirk Posey 238 to 81.

Louise Calvin, who has served as city clerk for a quarter of a century was unopposed for re-election, as was Shirley Koen, the city treasurer.

No one ran against Linda Johnson for Ward 1 Alderman or Harry Dover in Ward 2.

Ullin Mayor Mike DeWitt won re-election, as did the two village trustees who ran for re-election, Pedro Franco and David Cheek. DeWitt had 146 votes to challenger Trustee Bill "Red" Everett's 60.

Cheek polled 132 votes and Franco 114.

Sheila Wright is Ullin's new trustee after polling 116 votes while losers Martha Tipler had 93, Leo Bland 77 and Patricia Fox 44.

Rene Wright ran for Ullin city clerk unopposed.

In Karnak, Stewart Goins was unopposed for mayor.

In Grand Chain, Clarence Van Hooser, Rick Loker and Rodney Britt ran without opposition for three seats as trustees.