VOTERS TO CHOOSE FOUR RACES IN PULASKI COUNTY

PULASKI, Ill. -- Pulaski County will have a new sheriff, and a new place for the sheriff to work this year.

The sheriff's department is in the process of moving from the Pulaski County Courthouse in Mound City, to the new Tri-County Criminal Justice Center, a new private prison near Ullin, located near the intersection of Interstate 57 and the Ullin Exit.

The sheriff's race, which attracted five candidates for the primary election earlier this year, will pit two veteran law enforcement candidates for Tuesday's general election -- Republican Russell E. "Rusty" Dakin of Mounds, a former sheriff, and Democrat Jeff Caudle of Karnak a current deputy.

Pulaski County Sheriff Gene Dixon didn't file for re-election.

The sheriff's race is one of four for county offices in Pulaski County. Other contested races will take place for treasurer, county clerk and commissioner.

Dakin, who served eight years as Pulaski County sheriff, from 1978 to 1986, was one of the two vote getters in Pulaski County during the primary held earlier this year. Daken had been a candidate for sheriff in 1994, losing to Dixon by a total of 54 votes. Dakin currently works in the county treasurer's office.

Caudle, chief Pulaski County Sheriff's deputy, had to defeat two opponents in the primary. He is a graduate of the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois.

Tanna Goins, of Grand Chain, the Democrat candidate for county clerk, has worked in the county clerk's office seven years. She will oppose Republican Rita K. Flummer, of Mounds, who works as a legal assistant in a law office.

The winner will replace current county clerk Pete Winding, who is retiring.

Incumbent Republican Robert "Robbie" Moore, of Mounds, faces Democrat Venita Kerr Hancock of Villa Ridge for treasurer, will face Venita Kerr Hancock for treasurer. Hancock worked in the treasurer's office a number of years.

In 1994, Moore defeated Hancock in a closely contested race, by less than 60 votes, 1436-1397, for treasurer.

In the only other race county race, Republican Bill Atherton, an Ullin barber, will face Democrat Bob Gilley, who is retired, of Mounds for commissioner.

COUNTY CLERK

Tanna Goins

Democrat

Age: 24

Residence: Grand Chain.

Occupation: Worked for Pulaski County Clerk's office more than seven years.

Previous political offices: First run for political office.

Rita K. Flummer

Republican

Age: 52

Residence: Mounds.

Education: attended college.