RETIREMENTS PRODUCE OPEN RACES IN SCOTT COUNTY PRIMARY

Only three of the nine offices on the ballot for the Aug. 4 Scott County Democratic primary are uncontested. In four of the contests, three or more candidates have filed for the office.

The wide open races are due, at least in part, to the retirement of three Scott County officials and the appointment of a fourth to another position in the county.

Earlier this year, presiding commissioner Bob Kielhofner and county collector Tom Marshall announced that they would not seek another term. In February, J.J. "Cotton" Holyfield, county treasurer, submitted his resignation to Gov. Mel Carnahan effective March 31.

Former Circuit Court Judge Anthony Heckemeyer stepped down from the bench at the end of February. When David Dolan, an associate circuit court judge for the county, was appointed to fill Heckemeyer's circuit court seat, the Division IV position was left vacant.

With Cotton Holyfield's resignation as treasurer, Gov. Carnahan appointed Glenda K. Enderle of Chaffee to the position. Enderle, who was employed in the treasurer's office for eight years before her appointment as treasurer, is being challenged by Benton banker and businessman Dale Stuckey and self-employed Sikeston businessman Joe Fritz.

Holyfield's wife, Mickey Holyfield, is seeking the collector's position formerly held by Tom Marshall. She is joined in the race by tax consultant Mark Hensley and barber Glenn Pinkertson, both of Sikeston.

Two incumbents, both of whom were first elected to their current offices in 1994, are being challenged.

County clerk Rita Milam of Benton is being challenged by Nikki Ferrell-Roberds. Milam, who is also a member of the Kelly school board, worked in the clerk's office for ten years before being elected as county clerk four years ago. Ferrell-Roberbs of Sikeston, the daughter of Scott County sheriff Bill Ferrell, is an accountant for Americare, a health management company.

Incumbent Recorder of Deeds Tom Dirnberger of Oran is being challenged by Neal Wagley of Sikeston. Dirnberger managed a hat factory in Sikeston before being elected recorder in 1994. He was also the president of the industrial development committee in Oran. Wagley, who was educated as a meteorologist, describes himself as self-employed.

When David Dolan was appointed to the circuit court, Gov. Carnahan appointed Hense Winchester, a Sikeston attorney, to fill Dolan's unexpired term. Winchester is seeking to be elected to the bench. Frank Marshall and Jim Green, both of Sikeston, Jim Pinkston of Benton and Francis Siebert of Chaffee are challenging Winchester for the post.

Four candidates are on the ballot for presiding commissioner. Former state representative and realtor Dennis Ziegenhorn of Sikeston, Southwestern Bell engineer George Morris, also of Sikeston, and Oran farmer and businessman Martin Priggle are all actively vying for the chair.

The name of a fourth candidate, Joel "Chuck" Bollinger, appears on the ballot, but Bollinger has since accepted a position with the sheriff's department and is no longer actively seeking election.

Three candidates are unopposed in Tuesday's primary. Cristy Baker-Neel faces no opposition in her bid for re-election as prosecuting attorney. Circuit clerk Pam Glastetter and Associate Circuit Judge, Division V, David Mann also face no challenges.

SCOTT COUNTY RACES

Collector

Glenn Pinkerton, D-Sikeston

Age: 52

Education: Kelly High School; Moler Barber College

Occupation: Partner in Natural Image Barber/Stylist

Previous elected offices: Member of Sikeston R-6 School Board, holding the offices of president, vice president and secretary

Family: wife, Glenn E. Swope; one child

Mark Hensley, D-Sikeston

Age: 40

Education: Sikeston High School, attended Southeast Missouri State University

Occupation: Tax consultant for counties across Southeast, Hensley Consulting Service

Previous elected office: none

Family: wife, Marianne; two children

Mickey Holyfield, D-Sikeston

Age: 63

Education: Sikeston High School, IBM computer training in Memphis, Advanced bookkeeping and typing classes

Occupation: Bookkeeper for Mercantile Bank for 15 years; former office manager of Sikeston Memorial Airport

Previous elected office: none

Family: husband H. J. "Cotton" Holyfield; two sons (one deceased)

Treasurer

Glenda Enderle, D-Chaffee

Age: 42

Education: Kelly High School

Occupation: Treasurer, appointed April 1, 1998

Previous elected office: none

Family: husband, Randy; two children

Dale Stuckey, D-Benton

Age: 49

Education: University of Missouri; LSU School of Banking

Occupation: Representative for Public Employment Benefits Service Corporation (PEBSCO)

Previous elected office: none

Family: wife, Rita; one child

Joe Fritz, D-Sikeston

Age: Not available

Education: degree in business

Occupation: self-employed businessman

Previous elected office: none

Family: wife, Toni; two children

County Clerk

Rita Milam, D-Benton

Age: 41

Education: Kelly High School

Occupation: County Clerk

Previous elected office: First elected county clerk in 1994; current member of the Kelly School Board.

Family: husband, Brad Milam; two children

Nikki Ferrell-Roberds, D-Sikeston

Age: 26

Education: Southeast Missouri State University

Occupation: Accountant for Americare Systems, a health care management corporation

Previous elected office: none

Family: husband, David Roberds; one child

Recorder of Deeds

Tom Dirnberger, D-Oran

Age: 40

Education:

Occupation: Recorder of Deed

Previous elected office: First elected recorder of deeds in 1994

Family: wife, Debbie; two children

Neal Wagley, D-Sikeston

Age: 58

Education: BS, University of Missouri; M.S., St. Louis University

Occupation: self-employed

Previous elected office: none

Family: wife, Dorothy; three children