Hendricks elected as mayor of Marble Hill

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Incumbent Nick Hendricks won Tuesday's election as Marble Hill Mayor, defeating his opponent -- former mayor, administrative assistant and chamber of commerce president Rick Jones -- with nearly 72 percent of the votes. The unofficial vote count from Tuesday gave Hendricks 154 votes to Jones's 61.

Hendricks was appointed mayor a year ago after the ouster of Michael Sowers, and he served the remainder of Sowers' term. His victory marks his first election to the office, although he has served in that capacity.

"I'm excited," said Hendricks. "I'm extremely honored."

After he is sworn in at the next meeting of the board of aldermen Monday, it will be business as usual. Before him lies the restoration of the former Security Bank building into the new city hall, and other issues.

Hendricks said his immediate goals are "balancing the budget and improving the infrastructure within the city of Marble Hill."

Hendricks has another reason to be enthusiastic following this election -- the voters passed on the city's third attempt the redirection of the half-cent capital improvement tax into the general fund.

Voters had twice turned it down, and opponent Rick Jones said in an earlier interview he was not in favor of it because he believes it represents another tax on the city residents.

Hendricks credits improved communication between the city and its residents and a clearer wording in the ballot language for this final success. He said he had high hopes that it would pass.

"Based on feedback I got when I was campaigning door to door talking to everyone, I was optimistic about it," he said. "We let people know it wasn't a new tax, but a way of making better use of a tax we already have."

Pertinent address:

Marble Hill, Mo.