TWO DEMOCRATS IN PRIMARY FIGHT AGAINST STODDARD COUNTY ASSESSOR

BLOOMFIELD -- Stoddard County Assessor Wayne Millington faces Democratic challengers Jody Lemmons and Terry Bates in Tuesday's primary.

Millington, of Advance, thinks his experience, education and ability enable him to do the job well.

"We will continue to follow state guidelines and run the office as efficiently as possible," he said. "I should be re-elected because of my past performance, and the job is a challenge, and I still look forward to doing my job."

Democrat Jody Lemmons of Dexter thinks his background and business and management skills will make him a good assessor.

"I believe that there needs to be a lot of good common sense used when applying the mandated laws and guidelines handed down by state and county government," he said.

The people of Stoddard County expect fair, equal treatment, he said. He believes he has the ability to listen and the good common sense required to make a good assessor for Stoddard County.

Lemmons said unemployment is the most critical issue in Stoddard County. "We have lost several major employers in the county recently and this is a disturbing trend," he said. "Without employers to generate revenue we would soon have no need for this office or any other county office.

"I promise the support of the assessor's office will be behind policies that help bring jobs to the area."

Terry Bates of Bloomfield is the other Democratic candidate running for assessor. He said he feels some changes are needed.

"The process of self-assessment needs some help," he said. "The system used now of large penalties for the late filing of assessment sheets is not fair and must be changed."

He says the practice of office holders giving themselves large pay raises must stop. He said the candidates know what the salaries are when they run for the office.

Bates said his primary goal will be to assess each property owner fairly and to work for the citizens of Stoddard County -- not the state tax commission.

Bates served four years active duty in the United States Air Force and currently is a self-employed farmer.

Tuesday's winner will face Connie Bennett, the only Republican to file, in November.