Rick Walter wins in bid to replace Sheriff Bill Ferrell

The $1.487 million bond issue for the Chaffee School District passed by 408 votes.

By Kathryn Alfisi ~ Southeast Missourian

Voters in Scott City went to the polls Tuesday to decide four local races, including the first sheriff's race in 28 years where incumbent Bill Ferrell was not up for election.

The county's new sheriff is Democrat Rick Walter, who received 9,246 votes to defeat Republican opponent Wes Drury, who received 8,054 votes.

Walter is a Charleston, Mo., police officer who briefly worked as a night deputy at the Scott County Sheriff's Department and ran against Ferrell in the 2000 election.

"I'm pretty excited," Walter said. "I'm glad the voters had confidence in me and I'll make sure not to let them down."

First District

Democrat Dennis Ziegenhorn was elected First District County Commissioner with 4,670 votes, defeating his Republican opponent, Jim Schwaninger, who received 3,152 votes.

"I'm really excited. This is a great honor," Ziegenhorn said. "I'm going to work as hard as I can for Scott County."

Ziegenhorn is a seven-term Missouri state representative whose father held the First District Commissioner position for 20 years.

Voters re-elected incumbent Teresa Houchin as Scott County assessor. Houchin received 9,752 votes and defeated Republican opponent Dee Cookson, who received 7,411 votes.

Democrat Pam Dirnberger won the public administrator race with 9,937 votes defeating Republican challenger Jay Bledsoe, who received 7,253 votes.

Dirnberger works at American Storage in Sikeston and ran Superior Office Products with her husband for about 20 years.

Scott County voters approved a bond issue for the Chaffee School District by 408 votes, allowing them to issue $1.487 million in general obligation bonds in order to pay for building and renovation projects.

kalfisi@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182