ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY EYES CONSOLIDATION, SALES TAX

FLAT RIVER - Voters in the Lead Belt communities of Flat River, Desloge, Elvins, Esther, Leadington and Rivermines will decide Nov. 3 whether to merge their six communities into one.

The controversial issue has aroused strong opposition, much of it in Desloge, which adjoins Flat River on the north.

St. Francois County Clerk Arthur Hulsey said Flat River and Desloge are the largest of the six communities involved in the merger issue. The others are smaller surrounding towns.

Each city that approves the consolidation issue will become a part of the new town. Those that do not will remain a separate municipality. If the merger proposal is approved in Flat River, it will merge with Elvins and Rivermines into a city of 6,664, according to the 1990 census. Flat River's 1990 census count was 4,823.

The merger, if approved in Flat River, will leave Desloge as the second largest town in the Lead Belt, with a population of 4,150. Esther has a population of 1,071, and Leadington, 201.

Although this is only the second consolidation attempt in recent years, the issue goes back at least 30 years, when there were attempts in the early 1960s to merge the Lead Belt communities and their school districts. The attempt to merge the towns has always failed. The attempt to merge the school districts was only partially successful. Now there are two districts, Flat River Central and North County Desloge.

The proposed one-half cent increase in the sales tax in Farmington would generate about $700,000 for capital improvements in the city's industrial park, west of Highway 67. The proposal has a one-year sunset clause. There is no organized opposition, and it is expected to pass.

There are seven contested races in St. Francois County. In the race for state representative in the 107th district, incumbent Republican Bob Ward is opposed by Democrat Wayne Weber.

In the 152nd District, incumbent Democrat Wayne Crump is challenged by Republican Al Green.

In the first district commissioner's race, Democratic incumbent Billing H. Mailer is opposed by Republican Ronald Cole.

In the second district commissioner's race, Democrat Bill Bradley is opposed by Republican Ronald Cole.

Incumbent Republican Sheriff Jack Cade is opposed by Democrat Dan Bullock.

In the county assessor's race, the Democratic incumbent, Damon Black, is challenged by Republican Donna Jo King.

There are about 27,000 registered voters in the county. Hulsey voter registration has been extremely heavy. "We've enrolled over 2,500 new voters since August," he said.

With all of the local races and issues, plus the contested state and national races, Hulsey predicts voter turnout could exceed 62 percent. "All indications are for a big turnout, but the weather will be factor," he said. "If it's raining, the turnout will probably be a lot less."