WRITE-IN CANDIDATES WIN RACES

BENTON -- Winners were finally declared in several Scott County races Wednesday afternoon after the last of the write-in votes were tabulated by the county clerk's office.

In more than one race, the eventual victor was a write-in candidate.

Dale Littlepage, a declared write-in candidate, won a city council seat for Scott City Ward 3, defeating two other candidates whose names were on the ballot. Littlepage garnered 67 votes, defeating Charles Klughart who received 50 votes and Philip Radica who had 16.

Because there already were candidates on the ballot, Littlepage was required to register with the county clerk's office as a declared write-in candidate.

Another declared write-in candidate, Gary Owens of Vanduser, won one of two seats on the Vanduser Board of Trustees. Myra Lancaster also was elected. Both Owens and Lancaster received 33 votes. A third candidate, Dale Keith, received only 15 votes, despite having his name on the ballot.

In only one race did a declared write-in candidate not defeat a person whose name was on the ballot. Incumbent Tom Brock defeated write-in challenger Jim Wills 73-48 in the race for Ward 2 alderman in Miner.

In Commerce, some written votes had not been totaled until Wednesday, which changed the total votes earned.

The county clerk's office reported only six votes cast in the entire Commerce election Tuesday. However, the final tally showed Buddy Vetter, Alan Wright and David "Buck" Hanners all winning places on the Commerce board with 31, 30 and 24 votes, respectively. A fourth candidate, Dixie Jane Johnson High, earned 14 votes.

In Kelso, with no candidates on the ballot for the board of trustees, 32 people received votes for the two seats open. Chuck Miller and Joy Frey received the most write-in votes. Miller received 59, Frey 23.

The three write-in candidates receiving the most votes for the Diehlstadt board were Barbara Shelby, 7, Terry Sue Pemberton, 7, and Terra Slayden, 4. Ten people received votes.

Twelve people received write-in votes for two available seats on Haywood City's board. Johnny Avance received 14 votes and Roosevelt Johnson 10 to lead the balloting.

Only one election in Scott County still remains undecided. Three candidates vied for one position as alderman for Ward 2 in Benton. Both Randall Grady and Jim Arteme received 30 votes. Phyllis Minner received nine.

Since there is a tie, the county clerk's office was uncertain about what would happen. The ultimate decision must be made by Benton officials, who can decide to hold a special election.