Heaps retains Perry Co. Commission post

Perry County saw a tight race for its contested commission seat on Tuesday, with Democratic incumbent Patrick Heaps narrowly winning re-election in the First District despite a strong challenge from Republican Donna Ballman. Heaps was returned to his post with 1,896 to Ballman's 1,765, according to the county clerk's unofficial cumulative report that reflected all nine of the district's precincts. Heaps has been in the job in spurts, holding the spot from 2000 to 2004. He declined to run for a term, but then won in 2008 by more than 600 votes. Heaps is a retiree who worked 30 years at American National Can.