SHERIFF, CLERK AND COMMISSIONER RACES ON ALEXANDER BALLOT

CAIRO, Ill. -- Louis Maze of Olive Branch, who has been serving as interim county clerk in Alexander County since July 9, is a candidate for the regular term when Illinois voters go to the polls Tuesday.

"I was sort of reluctant to accept the interim appointment because I knew I was a candidate," said Maze, a Democrat. "But I've been working hard to get familiar with the office."

Maze will face political newcomer Republican Gerry P. Clark of Urbandale in Tuesday's general election.

The county clerk's race is one of three on the Alexander County ballot. In other races, Democratic incumbent Warren "Buddy" Mitchell of Tamms will face Republican Joe M. Beloate of Olive Branch for sheriff; and Democrat John "Andy" Clarke of Olive Branch will face Republican Michael D. Caldwell of Thebes for commissioner.

Maze was the leading vote-getter during the primary election in August, gathering more than 1,000 votes to defeat three other Democrats in the election.

Maze, a former county commissioner for eight years, assumed the duties of Sue Harrington as county clerk when Harrington resigned for health reasons. Harrington served almost eight years as county clerk. She had also served four years as county treasurer.

"This is my first try at politics," said Clark, who is retired from Illinois Bell Telephone Co. "I'm tired of being retired, and when the county clerk announced she was retiring after this term, I decided that this is what I want to do. I'm looking forward to becoming the first Republican in Alexander County politics in a long while.

Incumbent Mitchell will be seeking his fifth straight term for sheriff, facing Beloate, who is retired from the military and is a truck driver. He was unopposed in the GOP primary earlier this year.

Mitchell, a graduate of the Illinois State Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois and who has various Illinois Sheriff's Police Training Management courses, served in the military forces from 1965 through 1968, including active duty in Vietnam.

Beloate served more than 23 years in the military, much of it in military law enforcement. "I served in various capacities in the military, dealing with law enforcement, crime prevention, security of persons and equipment," said Beloate.

In the only other contested race, Clarke will face Republican Michael D. Caldwell for county commissioner. Clark, a licensed Illinois appraiser, real estate broker, and owner of Harper's Restaurant in Cairo, has served as a political official more than 10 years -- a Cairo city commissioner (1979-1982) and two terms as Alexander clerk (1982-1990).

Caldwell has worked for the Department of Corrections 13 years and is currently employed at Tamms Correctional Center.

Democratic candidates have no opposition for two offices -- treasurer and assessor. Incumbent Democrat Frances Lee of Cairo was a winner over two opponents in the primary race for treasurer and Democratic incumbent Dorothy Mayberry of Cairo won her primary race for assessor.

Alexander County Candidates

COUNTY SHERIFF

Name: Warren "Buddy" Mitchell

Party affiliation: Democrat

Age: 51

Residence: Tamms

Education: High school graduate. several specialized law enforcement courses, graduate of Police Institute at University of Illinois.

Occupation: Law enforcement over 18 years.

Family: Carol, wife; parents of two children; four grandchildren.

Previous offices held: Tamms City marshal; two years, four full terms as Alexander County sheriff.

Name: Joe M. Beloate

Party affiliation: Republican

Age: 60.

Residence: Olive Branch

Occupation: Truck driver, retired from military.

Education: High school graduate, attended college.

Family: Previously married, four children.

COMMISSIONER

Name: John A. "Andy" Clark

Party affiliation Democrat

Age: 42

Residence: Cairo.

Education: Shawnee Community College graduate.

Occupation: Licensed Illinois appraiser, real estate broker, restaurant owner.

Previous offices held: Cairo city commissioner (1979-1982) and Alexander County clerk (1982-1990.

Name: Michael D. Caldwell Sr.

Party affiliation: Republican

Age: 36

Residence: Thebes.

Education: High school, attended Shawnee College.

Occupation: Corrections supply supervisor II, at Tamms Correctional Center. Worked with Department of Corrections 13 years.

Family: married; parents of two children.