Council race determined by one vote; certification must take place before it's official

It isn't often a local race is decided by one vote, but Tuesday's unofficial results indicate exactly that situation in Scott City's Ward 3 race between former mayor Tim Porch and James Payne.

Unofficial results show Tim Porch with 105 votes and James Payne with 104.

There were four write-in votes.

Since Payne lost by less than 1 percent of the vote, he could ask for a recount, by Missouri state law.

County clerk Rita Milam said the results will be unofficial until they're confirmed Friday by the verification team. They'll check the voting machine, Milam said, and make sure it didn't malfunction.

"[Payne] can ask for a recount, but we have to certify the election first," Milam said, adding that by Missouri state law, there is a particular process he would have to follow to have the votes recounted.

Also by Missouri law, the results can't be certified until Friday afternoon, Milam said.

When reached by phone Wednesday, Payne, a retiree and member of the Scott City Historic Preservation Commission, said he would not request a recount, but was surprised he'd lost.

"One of my platform's planks was beautification of our city here," Payne said. "It's really in bad shape as far as appearance is concerned. It didn't get this way overnight."

Payne said his competitor had been mayor for 16 years, and prior to the election, most of the people he spoke to said they weren't happy with Scott City's appearance. "I thought they thought I could do something to change it, but evidently, I thought wrong," Payne said. "But that's just my feeling."

When reached by phone Wednesday, Porch, who was on the city council in 1999 and served as mayor from 2000 to 2016, said he's happy with the way the election went.

Of Payne, Porch said, "He's a good guy. I figured it would be close, and it was."

Turning the topic to all of the Scott City races, Porch said, "I think the way the elections went, we'll be able to get a lot done here."

Porch said he was glad Mayor Norman Brant was elected. At last week's Chamber of Commerce meeting, Porch publicly endorsed Brant, and said he thinks the council and mayor will be able to work together to attract more businesses and to continue the work of beautifying Scott City.

"There's a great situation here," Porch said.

"I hope we can get city employees back doing their projects, so we can get projects done we've had on the list for six or seven years, get employees to where they feel a little more secure with their employment," Porch said.

If Scott City can start working together to attract more businesses, whether that be industry, retail stores or restaurants, it's all to the good, Porch said. "A town like Scott City needs all the revenue it can get, and businesses are an easy way to get that."

Porch said he hopes the city's government and Chamber of Commerce will continue to be active together, and involve local businesses in conversations. "I think the vote went the right way for that to keep happening," Porch said. "And we welcome friendly businesses as long as they're not detrimental to our town."

Unfortunately, he added, when light industrial and residential zones are close together as they are in Scott City, "you have to be picky."

He hopes the city can get involved with the Magnet initiative in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, he said.

Porch said he'd love to see the industrial park by the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport fill up, for example.

He's also hopeful the city will be back on a budget soon, and help rebuild citizen confidence in Scott City.

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

Scott City, Missouri