Filing for local municipal elections begins today

Filing begins at 8 a.m. today for elections to fill three mayoral offices and a number of other official seats in Scott City, Jackson, Perryville, Mo., and Marble Hill, Mo.

In Scott City, contenders can file for Mayor Tim Porch's seat, as well as town council spots held by Bill Schwartz in Ward 1, Pat Brazel in Ward 2, Walter Peetz in Ward 2, Kirk Lewis in Ward 3 and Norman Brant in Ward 4. The mayor's term is four years. All council seats are two years, except for one of the seats in Ward 2. Pat Brazel was appointed to fill the seat vacated when Joe Hudson resigned in 2011, and voters will decide who will fulfill the remainder of the term.

Porch said he intends to run for office "one last time." If re-elected, he will have served 16 years as mayor in Scott City. Porch said that if he does not win the seat, he plans to support whoever does.

Brant, who has served the city for more than 30 years, was undecided Monday night but said he didn't think he would run again.

"I'm really thinking about sitting out a year and possibly filing next year," said Brant, who said he has other civic responsibilities keeping him busy.

Perryville will hold a mayoral race in 2012, along with elections for city collector, municipal judge and aldermen in wards 1, 2 and 3. Incumbents in those offices are, respectively, Deborah Gahan, Robert Hershey, Lori Carroll, Tom Guth, Curt P. Buerck and Paul R. "Butch" Flentge. Guth ran in 2011 to occupy a seat left by Al Oliver, who died while in office. Each office has a two-year term.

Mayor Deborah Gahan said she would definitely be seeking another term to add to her previous two.

"I really enjoy serving the city and people of Perryville," Gahan said.

Marble Hill's mayor, Russell Masterson, died in October, and applications will be accepted for his seat, currently filled by Mayor Pro Tem Jim Sear. Also up for election will be the alderman seats in Ward 1 and Ward 2, currently held by Roger Burr and Jim Sear. The mayor and aldermen's terms are two years.

Jackson aldermen whose seats are up for election are Timothy Welker in Ward 1, David Reiminger in Ward 2, Larry Cunningham in Ward 3 and Joe Bob Baker in Ward 4. Each seat has a two-year term.

In the past, city clerk Mary Lowry said, the candidate who filed first in Jackson got his name listed first on the ballot, leading to individuals lining up early in the morning. In October 2007, the process was revised so the order is random.

Individuals interested in running for office have until 5 p.m. Jan. 17 to submit an application for the April election and should contact the city clerk's office in each respective area. Newly elected officials will take office in May.

The filing period in Cape Girardeau is earlier than in other cities. Races in wards 3, 4 and 5 are already set. Ellen Dillon faces Trent Summers in Ward 3. In wards 4 and 5, which also were up for grabs, incumbents Loretta Schneider and Mark Lanzotti will retain their seats because their races drew no opposition.

salderman@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

Jackson, MO

Scott City, MO

Perryville, MO

Marble Hill, MO