PERRY COUNTY MULLS REPEAL OF `BLUE LAW'

PERRYVILLE - Voters in Perry County will be deciding April 6 whether to repeal the county's "Blue Law" that prohibits the sale of "non essential" items on Sunday.

In other races, residents of Perry County School District No. 32 will be choosing between four candidates for three positions on the board of education; three aldermen and a new city marshal will also be chosen in Perryville.

Since a state law in 1977 gave counties the local option of repealing the ban on Sunday sales, 69 of Missouri's 114 counties have voted for the repeal.

The issue was placed on the ballot after more than 600 signatures were collected from registered voters in February.

Charlotte Worrell, executive secretary for the Perryville Chamber of Commerce, explained that the proposal was initiated by several merchants in town who are chamber members.

"They approached the chamber and asked it we would pursue putting the issue on the ballot in April, and that's what we did," said Worrell.

"The chamber's stand is they have said they will provide information to voters of the county, and it is up to them to say whether they would like to have their retail establishments open on Sunday."

Worrell said there appears to be no organized opposition to the Blue Law repeal.

One reason some of the local merchants proposed the vote is because the county is losing sales tax dollars on Sunday because residents are going to Cape Girardeau, Ste. Genevieve, and Chester, Ill. for shopping.

The issue is based not only on keeping sales tax dollars in the county, but also on providing convenience to residents.

Worrell stressed that repeal of the law will not require merchants to be open on Sunday; it only gives the option of being open. Larger stores like Wal-Mart, Roziers and Buchheits would likely be the retail stores to take advantage of it.

"There are definitely a lot of people leaving town on Sunday to shop," said Worrell.

Under the law that bans Sunday sales, only "essential" items can be sold. Items like clothing, housewares, office and business supplies, furniture, tools, appliances, paints, lumber, and toys cannot legally be sold in Perry County.

"It is one of those community things that only voters can decide," summed up Worrell. "If they choose to repeal it, we will have the option of remaining open on Sunday, and if they choose not to repeal it, it will remain the status quo."

Four candidates are actively running for the post of City Marshal, to fill the remaining one year of the term of Gary Schaaf, who was elected county sheriff last November.

Running for the marshal's post are Jim Newcomer, Erik P. Degenhardt, Keith D. Lane, and Eugene Besand.

Though three aldermen will be elected, the only race is in Ward 2, where four men are trying to succeed the retiring Paul Simpson. Seeking the seat are Randy J. Leible, Stephen Landholt, Harold Weinrich, and Clarence "Jack" Zahner.

In Ward 1, Paul Dunlap is running without opposition for a new two-year term, and in Ward 3, Gary J. Schumer has no opposition in his bid to replace the retiring David Nagle.

There are four candidates for the school board, including incumbents Orville L. Schaeffer and Kim R. Moore. Larry A. Ackley and John McDaniel are also running.

Three positions will be filled, with candidates elected to three year terms.