TWO SCOTT OFFICEHOLDERS RETIRE, TWO RESIGN

BENTON -- The retirement of two longtime Scott County officials and the resignation of two others have left several of the county's Democratic primary races wide open.

Presiding Commissioner Bob Kielhofner and County Collector Tom Marshall both announced their decisions not to seek another term, leading to several candidates filing for the positions Tuesday, the first day of filing.

Kielhofner, who is finishing his first term as commissioner, was elected to the post in 1994. Previously he had served 24 years as the Scott County clerk.

With his decision not to seek a second term, three candidates filed Tuesday morning for the Democratic primary. Chuck Bollinger of Scott City, George Morris of Sikeston and former state representative Dennis Ziegenhorn, also of Sikeston, filed Tuesday for the position.

Two candidates -- Glen Pinkerton and Mark Hensley, both of Sikeston -- filed for the collector's race, open with the announced retirement of Tom Marshall.

Marshall was appointed collector in January 1970 by then-governor Warren Hearnes. He was elected to the position later that year and has held the office ever since.

A third Scott County official, Treasurer H.J. "Cotton" Holyfield, also announced his intention to step down, although he will not wait until the election to retire. In a letter to Gov. Mel Carnahan Tuesday, Holyfield tendered his resignation effective March 31.

In his letter, Holyfield recommended that the governor appoint Glenda Enderle of Chaffee to his unexpired term as treasurer. Enderle, who is currently the chief deputy in the treasurer's office, filed Tuesday for the position. If the governor follows Holyfield's recommendation, Enderle will assume the treasurer's position on April 1.

No one else filed for the treasurer's position Tuesday.

A second resignation this week may cause further changes in the filings.

On Monday, Circuit Judge Anthony J. Heckemeyer announced his resignation from the bench after 17 years to run for the 8th District congressional seat held by Rep. Jo Ann Emerson. Heckemeyer traveled to Jefferson City Tuesday to file officially. While there, he submitted his letter of resignation to the governor's office.

Heckemeyer's resignation will leave a vacancy on the bench that will have to be filled. The governor is expected to appoint someone to fill the vacancy until a special election is held.

Two Scott County associate circuit judges have expressed to the governor an interest in being appointed to fill Heckemeyer's seat on the bench.

Judges David A. Dolan and David C. Mann said Tuesday that they have contacted the governor's office in anticipation of Heckemeyer's resignation. They said if and when Heckemeyer resigns, they wish to be considered for the appointment.

Dolan has been the Division IV associate circuit judge since 1990. Mann became the associate circuit judge for Division V in 1979. Both filed Tuesday for re-election to their respective benches.

If either is appointed by the governor to the circuit bench, he will leave an opening on the associate circuit court bench. Presently, they are unopposed in their re-election bids.

Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Cristy Baker-Neel said Tuesday that if either Dolan or Mann is appointed to fill the vacancy left by Heckemeyer's resignation, she will consider filing for the associate circuit bench. She also said that she will not run against a sitting judge.

On Tuesday Baker-Neel filed for re-election as Scott County prosecuting attorney. She will be opposed in the Democratic primary by Matthew Hill, a lawyer from Benton.

The only other contested race in the county pits incumbent Rita Milam of Benton against Nikki Ferrell-Roberds of Sikeston for the county clerk position. Milam, who has worked in the clerk's office since 1984, is completing her first term in the position since being elected in 1994. Ferrell-Roberds, the daughter of Scott County Sheriff Bill Ferrell, is an accountant for Nursing Home Management Corp.

Two other incumbents, Circuit Court Clerk Pam Glastetter and Recorder of Deeds Tom Dirnberger, also filed Tuesday for re-election. Presently, they are unopposed.

No Republicans filed for office in Scott County Tuesday.