PULASKI VOTERS APPROVE 9-1-1, INCUMBENTS FIND RACES TOUGH

MOUND CITY, Ill. -- Voters in Pulaski County approved a surcharge to install an enhanced 9-1-1 emergency telephone system by an almost 2-to-1 margin.

With 12 of 14 precincts in, 1,348 voters said yes, while 750 said no.

Meanwhile, incumbents had tough races in three Pulaski County contests. Republican State's Attorney Ward Walshon, who has served in that position the past eight years, lost his bid for re-election to his Democrat challenger Patrick Duffey of Cobden.

With two precincts still out, Duffey led 1,579 to 1,157. Two other races were too close to call with the two precincts out.

Republican Circuit Clerk Ruth (Miller) Davis led 1,423 to 1,330 over Democrat challenger George R. Modglin, and in the race for county commissioner Democrat incumbent Sam Johnson trailed his Republican challenger, Ned J. Gunn, by only 15 votes, 1,328 to 1,313.

It was later reported that Davis and Gunn held on to their leads to win, but final totals were not available.

Republican County Coroner Bill E. Atherton of Ullin was unopposed. He gathered 1,718 votes.

One of two tax issues of big interest in Union County appeared headed for passage with 16 of 20 precincts counted. With two precincts to be counted, a proposal to impose a surcharge of up to $2.50 for an enhanced 9-1-1 emergency telephone system led by a 500-vote margin, 3,415 to 2,915.

But a proposal to issue $365,000 funding bonds for paying outstanding and unpaid teachers' orders was failing by about 400 votes with the two precincts to be counted, 2,009 against and 1,611 for.

Officials in the two counties estimated that following approval of the 9-1-1 emergency telephone measure it could take about two years to have the systems ready for use in the respective counties.

There were no local races in Alexander and Union counties, where all county officials were unopposed.

There will be a new face in the Alexander County Courthouse, however. Jeffrey B. Farris of Olive Branch, unopposed for state's attorney, will replace incumbent Mark Clark, who did not run for re-election. Other unopposed Alexander County candidates were incumbent Rolly S. "Mit" Matlock, McClure, Democrat; Circuit Clerk Susan C. Hileman, Cairo, Democrat; and Coroner David Barkett, Cairo, Democrat.

Unopposed candidates in Union County were Circuit Clerk Mattilene "Mat" Page, Anna, Democrat; State's Attorney Wes Wilkins, rural Anna, Democrat; Coroner Darryl W. Rendleman, Cobden, Democrat; and Democrat Jimmy L. Watkins, Jonesboro. Watkins defeated three opponents in the primary, including incumbent Bill Porter.