Tarrillion's wife to run for Perryville board

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- As the filing period for municipal elections opened Tuesday, three candidates cast their hats into the ring for police chief -- the first time in two decades the race has been contested -- while the former chief's wife filed to run for Ward 2 alderman.

Direk Hunt, who was appointed interim chief in the wake of Keith Tarrillion's departure from the position this spring; officer Brad A. Pitts; and city code enforcement officer Joe Martin filed for city marshal.

In Perryville, voters elect a city marshal to serve as police chief.

Tarrillion's wife, Shannon, was among those who filed to run for alderman.

Ward 1 incumbent Tom Guth, Ward 2 incumbent Curt Buerck and Ward 3 incumbent Prince Hudson are running again, and Mayor Debbie Gahan filed her intent to seek re-election.

Municipal Judge Robert Hershey and city collector Lori Carroll also are seeking re-election.

In November, voters overwhelmingly rejected a measure that would have converted the chief's role to an appointed position.

At the time, supporters of the measure cited a lack of qualified candidates as one reason for appointing, rather than electing, a chief.

City Clerk Tracy Prost confirmed Tuesday that this is the first contested race for chief since 1993, when four candidates ran.

Keith Tarrillion resigned as chief in March amid allegations of misconduct. In February, a police department employee accused him of sexual harassment and discrimination, triggering an investigation that raised questions about the legitimacy of a 2010 police report about property damage at his home.

After an investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the former chief was arrested Nov. 1 on charges of theft, forgery and making a false report. A preliminary hearing in the case was scheduled for Tuesday, but the hearing was continued to Jan. 15 because of an attorney conflict, online court records show.

Shannon Tarrillion did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday.

Before the board's regular meeting Tuesday night, Buerck wished his opponent well and said her decision to run gives Ward 2 voters a choice between two good candidates.

"I think she's a very smart lady," he said. "I wish her the best of luck. Myself, too. Whoever they elect, you'll get a good person on the board."

If she defeats Buerck in April, her presence on the board could be uncomfortable for some members, Guth acknowledged during a telephone interview Tuesday.

"She's got the same right as anybody to run," Guth said. " ... I guess the voters will decide. It will be a little bit awkward."

Reached by telephone Tuesday, Hudson said it would not bother him to serve with Shannon Tarrillion if she wins.

"It's a free country, and I don't worry about those kinds of things. If she wants to run for alderman, that's fine. If she wins, I guess that's OK, too. I can handle it," he said.

epriddy@semissourian.com

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Perryville, MO