CAIRO, ANNA VOTERS GO TO POLLS TUESDAY

ANNA, Ill. -- Mayor Steve Hartline will be challenged by two opponents in Tuesday's primary election in Anna, Ill.

Hartline, an executive with the Illinois Department of Human Services, is completing his first four years as mayor.

His challengers are attorney Allen W. James and Rodney Plott, a technician at Choate Mental Health and Development Center at Anna.

Voters will narrow the field from three to two on Tuesday, and they will advance to the April ballot.

In addition, a dozen candidates have filed for four city commissioner positions at Anna. Voters will vote for four. The eight candidates securing the highest votes will advance to the April election.

Hartline, a graduate of Cobden High School, attended Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, where he received an associates degree in law enforcement.

During his first term as Anna mayor, Hartline said significant achievements for the city were realized in economic development and financial management. He said the city has been in the black during his four years as mayor.

James, who has served one four-year term as an Anna city commissioner, outlined what he sees as three key challenges for the city

-- continued economic development

-- utilizing grant money to purchase property for an industrial park near U.S. Route 51 and Interstate 57

-- developing a contact program for new industry and working with the Union County Economic Development Corporation and Union County Chamber of Commerce.

James has a bachelor of science degree with a major in geological engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla, and a law degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Plott is seeking public office for the first time.

He previously worked seven years in various Anna city departments. He promises to work with the city council and the public to continue progress throughout in the city.

Plott said he would have an open door policy so anyone with concerns could talk to him directly.

Plott, who attended trade classes at Shawnee Community College, served in the Air Force four years, earning the rank of sergeant.

The 12 candiates for Anna City Commissioners are Allen Pollard, Lawrence J. Boyer, Stephen F. Westbrooks, Steve Craig, Glenn Rosson, Alan Roberts, Jerry W. Isom, Dave Tellor, Jerry L. Boyd, Robert Hunter, James Dwayne Randolph and Darren Baggott.

Cairo, Ill., voters will also go the polls Tuesday, where a total of 26 candidates have filed for seven positions in city government.

Cairo Mayor James Wilson, who has served two four-year terms as mayor, will be unchallenged. He is the only mayoral candidate on the ballot.

Six candidates are seeking the position of council member at-large, a four-year term. Steve R. Wiesenmayer is the incumbent and will face five opponents in the primary: Arnold Burris Sr., Donald Earl Rushing, Joseph M. Thurston, Rodney L. Moore and Charles J. Koen.

The only ward with less than three candidates is Ward IV, where incumbent Nancy Wright will face K.R. "Duke" Jones in the April 13 general election.

Other Cairo races with primary opponents include:

Ward I: Incumbent Elbert "Bo" Purchase, Fred H. Shelton, and Pat Butts.

Ward II: Incumbent Bobby Whitaker, Berlene Jones, Joe Nelson, Thomas M. Simpson and James Purdiman.

Ward III: Incumbent Cordell McGoy, Gregory D. Walker, Danny Brown and James Tony Mallory.

Ward V: Incumbent Carolyn Ponting, James R. Wissinger, John R. Holman and Carolyn Faye Broom.