MAZE WINS CLERK SEAT; SHERIFF MITCHELL RETURNS

CAIRO, Ill. -- Louis Maze of Olive Branch is the new full-term county clerk in Alexander County. He was elected to office Tuesday.

Maze, a Democrat who has been serving as interim county clerk since July, was selected to fill the four-year term in Tuesday's general election. He defeated Republican Gerry P. Clark of Urbandale.

Maze collected 2,198 votes to defeat his Republican opponent, who collected 1,426 votes.

In the only other contested races in Alexander County, Democrat Warren "Buddy" Mitchell of Tamms, was elected to his fifth term as sheriff defeating Republican Joe Beloate of Olive Branch while Democrat John "Andy" Clarke of Cairo, won over Republican Michael Caldwell of Thebes.

Mitchell was the leading vote getter in the county, with 2,872. Beloate received 734 votes. Clarke was a winner, 2,279 to 1,803.

Maze, an Olive Branch businessman, was a former county commissioner for eight years. He assumed the duties of Sue Harrington as county clerk when Harrington resigned in July for health reasons.

"I was sort of reluctant to accept the interim appointment because I knew I was going to be a candidate," said Maze, "I've been working hard to get familiar with the office."

Mitchell, a graduate of the Illinois State Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois and who has various Illinois Sheriff's Police Training Management courses, has served 18 years in law enforcement -- two years as Tamms City Marshall, and 16 years as sheriff.

Clarke has a served number of years in politics. He was a Cairo city commissioner from 1979 to 1982 and served two terms as Alexander County Clerk from 1982-1990.

Clarke, a licensed Illinois appraiser, is real estate broker. He also owns a Cairo restaurant.

Democrats had no opposition in two county races -- Frances Lee, treasurer, and Dorothy J. Mayberry, supervisor of assessments.

Glenn W. Poshard, Democratic candidate for Illinois governor, carried Alexander County, collecting 2,746 votes to Republican candidate George H. Ryan's 1,021.

In the 12th District for U.S. Rep., Democrat Jerry Costello collected 2,623 votes while Republican William Melvin Price had 821 votes.