INCUMBENTS WIN MAYORAL RACE IN ALEXANDER CO.

CAIRO, Ill. -- Incumbents ruled the day in Alexander County as the mayors of East Cape Girardeau, Thebes and Tamms won re-election.

The closest race was in Tamms, where Mayor Walter Pang won his third term with 137 votes to Carl Hileman's 131. A third candidate, Sheila Kee, polled 16 votes.

Two incumbent trustees in Tamms ran for office and both retained their seats. Larry Steve Essex will join incuments Charles Hood and Lester Pickett on the board. In a four-way race for three seats, Hood had 188 votes, Essex 187, Pickett 179 and Harry Strong 130.

Joe Aden, who has presided over East Cape Girardeau for 20 years, won another four years in office, polling 92 votes to challenger Rosemary Inerra's 39.

Carolyn R. Thomas was unopposed for a four-year term as village clerk in East Cape Girardeau, while Lajean Johnson, Jim Poirrier and Richard Walker were the only three candidates for three four-year terms as trustees.

In Thebes, Bobbye Shafer held on to the mayor's office by defeating challenger William J. Burgener 106 to 36. Incumbent Thelma Foutch stayed on as city clerk, defeating John Butcher 91 to 50.

Jeff Petzoldt was elected unopposed to a four-year term as village trustee, while Blanch Prater was unopposed for a two-year term for trustee.

Linda Friedman, William F. Cain and Belva A. Miller were the only candidates for three seats on the Dodge Public Library District Board of Trustees.