(St. Francois County, MO)
Ballot Issues: Tuesday's April election ballot, for St. Francois County voters, will feature a couple of issues including a 3% sales tax on the retail sales of adult use marijuana. The issue is on the ballot for St. FRancois County and also for Farmington, Park Hills, and Leadington. One additional issue will be voted on by Farmington residents only. It's the one half of one percent sales tax for capital improvements. The tax, which had been instituted in the 1990's, expired March 31st on its 10 year sunset clause. Farmington officials are asking voters to approve the tax for another 10 years to continue funding various city projects. So far the tax has helped fund the water park, splash pad, and library in Farmington.
Contested City and Government Positions : Some city's, and government organizations in the county, have contested races on the ballot. Park Hills voters will decide who their Mayor will be as the incumbent candidate, Stacey Easter, faces off against Eugene Fritsche and Larry LaChance for the position. In Leadwood Ed Austin and Robert Crump are running for Mayor while in Ward I Charles Lewis goes against Anna Woods. In Ward II Richard Dickie Davis takes on John Vickers for the seat. In Leadington three people are running for 2 aldermanic seats. Those candidates are Steve Kinsey, Greg Dickinson, and Andrew Young. Desloge residents have two contested races. Current Mayor Dave Shaw is running against Andrew Laster and Pete Pasternak and in Ward three Travis Crews takes on Russell Kester.
Contested Board Races: Voters will also elect their chosen candidates in several contested school board races. In the Bismarck Schools there are six candidates for three seats. Those candidates are Mark L. Hedrick, Sally Colwell, Daniel Holifield, Micahel Barton II, Tim Dreste, and Faron Henson. Farmington school district voters have a choice from five candidates for three seats including Angela Hahn, Howard A. Hoehn, Duane G. Hampton, Jerry Freeman, and Jeffrey K. Owens II. The Potosi Schools feature an election between four candidates. They are Dallas Thompson, John Hunter Belfield, Angela Marie King, and Andrea Griffin. Two 6 year term seats are contested on The Board of Trustees at Mineral Area College. Camille Nations, Scott Hammack, Elizabeth Clark Poston, and Chris Hulsey are running for the positions. St. Francois County's 911 Board of Directors also has a contested race. It's between Terry Luetkemeyer and Steve Young for a 4 year term on the board.