PERRY CO. NEWCOMERS CHALLENGE IN 4 RACES

PERRYVILLE -- Perry County residents will either keep or oust three county public officials and chose one new one, while the other three races will go uncontested Nov. 5.

The sheriff and two county commissioners are fighting to maintain their positions while the assessor, coroner and surveyor can take it easy in their uncontested races. The current public administrator isn't seeking re-election and two men are vying for his vacated position.

Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf, the Republican incumbent, will face Democrat Raymond Detjen, a former deputy under Schaaf. Schaaf said he is confident about the election and says his accomplishments make him the best man for the job.

For 1995, Perry County had over 60 percent burglary clearance rate, Schaaf said, and his department and the SEMO Drug Task Force, of which he is president, "did more than my predecessor and his chief deputy, Mr. Detjen, did in their entire 12 years."

Detjen has accused Schaaf of trying to sell him a stolen car recovered by the sheriff's department while Detjen was a deputy there. The case went to a special prosecutor, who eventually charged a deputy and a used car salesman with stealing and corruption in connection with the case.

The special prosecutor's findings effectively cleared Schaaf and he feels people in Perry County aren't even paying attention to the allegations.

"It just shows how low he (Detjen) would stoop to gain support," Schaaf said.

Detjen is running on an anti-drug record, having made one of the largest marijuana busts in Perry County history in 1988.

Western District County Commissioner Mike Yamnitz, a Republican, said that things are going well in the final week before the election. He is challenged by Democrat Carrie Key.

Yamnitz said he has been consistently trustworthy and hardworking and that his record speaks for itself. Since taking office in 1992, Yamnitz has had major bridge replacements done and he and the commission are partly responsible for increasing manpower for road and bridge construction renovation, he said.

"What I've done has worked in the past for me and I will continue on with that," Yamnitz said.

Key said she would like to institute some positive changes in Perry County if elected. She would like to see better roads, open-door meetings, fresh water for Perry County residents who don't have it and better zoning laws.

She said she will bring heart to the county commission if elected and be "someone who actually cares about people of Perry County instead of the salary being drawn."

Republican incumbent Dennis E. Lohman will face Gene Tucker, an Independent, for the Eastern District county commission seat. Lohman cited road progressions, financial security and his contact with the community as reasons he should retain his commission seat.

Tucker said he is confident about the support he's received from residents. He underscored experience in management and supervision through his years in postal service and real estate. He was postmaster in Frohna for several years.

"My theme is I can't do miracles but I can do the right thing," Tucker said. "My dad taught me by example. If you're honest, you don't have to tell them. If you're not, you won't convince them."

There will be a new public administrator in Perry County. Current public administrator John Bert, a Republican, the incumbent didn't file to run for re-election.

Democrat Gerald E. Fallert is running against Republican Jim Taylor for the position.

Herbert E. Miller will be coroner, Larry W. White will be assessor and Ken Baer will be surveyor because their races are uncontested.