PRIMARY RACE DECIDES SCOTT COUNTY COMMISSION RACE

BENTON, Mo. -- An incumbent and a political newcomer were elected to open seats on the Scott County Commission Tuesday.

Voters re-elected Walter Bizzell to the first district seat and Jamie Burger to the second district commission seat.

Bizzell earned 1,763 votes. His opponents Jerry Burge earned 744 votes while Sonny Alcorn garnered 875 votes. All three men were from Sikeston, Mo.

In the second district, Jamie Burger unseated incumbent Dewaine Shaffer by just 183 votes. Burger earned 2,495 votes; Shaffer earned 2,312 votes.

The results from the county clerk's office did include absentee ballots cast. About 35 percent of the county's registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday's primary election.

Neither man faces any Republican opposition on the November general election since all five commission candidates had filed as Democrats.

Each commissioner will serve a four-year term and is paid a salary of $29,700.

The first district territory encompasses the Sikeston city limits and another area in the extreme southern part of the county. The second district territory is all the portion of the county north of Sikeston. The divisions are based on population.

Bizzell has already served seven years on the commission with two two-year terms and one three-year term. He wants to continue work already under way, like construction of a new jail and replacing major bridge on county roads.

Since he took office, the county has also instituted a 911 emergency system, he said.

Burger hasn't held political office before but that hasn't stopped him from being involved in the community. He serves on the school board for St. Denis school and is active with many civic organizations.

Burger thinks advertising the county's positive attractions in national publications and on the Internet will help attract people and business. He said the county is full of "hard-working people" who should be able to work in the county if they choose.

The other candidates also outlined plans for adding new businesses and new jobs for the county.

Sonny Alcorn, who is retiring as the county's public administrator, would like to see the commission work more with economic development groups to bring new businesses into Sikeston. Since the city is split between Scott and New Madrid counties it seems that new business -- and their sales tax revenues -- build in New Madrid County.

Shaffer previously served eight years as county commissioner in the 1980s.