PERRY VOTERS FACE COMMISSIONER CONTEST

PERRYVILLE -- Perry County voters will find one contested race on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. Incumbent or unopposed candidates make up the other races.

Keith McCrary, 34, has filed as an independent candidate against Republican nominee Thomas H. Sutterer, 60, for the presiding commissioner post.

Sutterer defeated four opponents for the nomination in the August primary election.

The winner of the Nov. 3 election will replace incumbent Karl Klaus, who opted not to seek re-election after 12 years in office.

McCrary said he is a Republican by inclination but couldn't file in time for the August primary.

"This is pretty unusual for Perry County," he said.

McCrary works as an aircraft mechanic for Mid Coast Aviation in Cahokia, Ill.

Road maintenance will be a priority if elected, McCrary said. "That's probably one of the biggest concerns for people in the county," he said.

Sutterer is the owner of TS Building, a general contractor firm in Perryville.

His priorities will be roads and bridges and keeping rein on the county's budget, he said.

No Democrats have filed for county office in Perry County for the November ballot, just as none filed for the primary in August.

In the August primary, Becky Paulus defeated incumbent Donna Guemmer for the Republican nomination for circuit clerk-ex officio recorder of deeds. She is unopposed in her first bid for office.

Perry County incumbents running without opposition are Associate Circuit Judge Michael J. Bullerdieck, County Clerk Randy Taylor, Treasurer Veronica Hershey, Prosecuting Attorney Thomas L. Hoeh and Collector Rodney J. Richardet, all Republicans.

Keith McCrary

Age: 34.

Address: 514 Perry County Road 717, Perryville.

Occupation: aircraft mechanic, Mid Coast Aviation in Cahokia, Ill.

Education: 1982 graduate of Perryville High School.

Family: He and his wife, Debbie, have two daughters.

Previous offices held: none.

Thomas H. Sutterer

Age: 60.

Address: 22 Sutterer Place, Perryville.

Occupation: owner, T.S. Building, Perryville.

Education: high school graduate.

Family: He and his wife, Geraldine, have three grown children.

Previous offices held: served on Perryville Board of Aldermen.