Seven council seats on ballot in Scott City

The races for the Scott City Council have drawn a large field of candidates, nine in four wards. But most are incumbents who are unchallenged.

Normally, only four seats on the council -- one from each of the four wards -- would be up for election. However, with resignations of three council members in the past two years, seven of the council's eight seats are up for election this April.

Only Ward 1 has just one of its two seats on the ballot, and incumbent Jeff Curnell is so far unopposed. Curnell is an emergency medical technician in Scott County who has served on the council for two consecutive terms. If elected he will serve another two-year term.

Both seats in Ward 2 are up for grabs. Incumbent Terry Gettings, also a two-term councilman who works for Dakota Service Co., is running unopposed for another two-year term.

Also in Ward 2, incumbent John Crail, a self-employed contractor, is running for a one-year term. He was appointed in June to fill a vacancy in that ward. Jim McCarty, co-owner of Soups and Sweets, has filed to challenge Crail. McCarty has no previous council experience and has lived in Scott City for about one year.

"I just want to get involved," McCarty said. "This is our home now, and I want to do something for the community."

In Ward 3, two-term incumbent Robert Tyler is running unopposed for another two-year term. Newly appointed Councilman Ron Cummings, a contractor who also works for Burlington-Northern Railroad and has previous council experience, is running unopposed for a one-year term.

Incumbent Norman Brant, a worker for the Scott County Road District who has served two terms, is facing a challenge in Ward 4 from Larry Taylor, a self-employed contractor.

Taylor said it's time for new people on the council.

Taylor served on the council for a short period in 2004, but was one of those who moved out of his ward, causing a vacancy. The winner of the race will serve a full two-year term.

Also in Ward 4, incumbent Ron Worl, a retired warehouse manager who was appointed in late summer of last year to fill a vacant seat, will be running unopposed for a one-year term.

Filing closes at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Eligible candidates must have lived in the city for one year and been a resident of a ward for six months by the April 5 election.

msanders@semissourian.com

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