Candidates file before Jan. 15 deadline

Several candidates have filed to run in the April 2 general municipal election for positions coming open on school, municipal and county boards in Ozark County. The filing deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 15. If the number of candidates equals the number of open positions on these boards, Missouri law specifies that an election doesn’t have to be held.

Those who are not yet registered to vote have until March 6 to register to vote in the April 2 election. For more information about registering, contact the Ozark County Clerk’s office at 679-3516. At press time Tuesday, these candidates had filed:

 

SCHOOLS

Candidates may file for positions on Ozark County school boards at the school in their district during regular school hours. Candidates’ names will appear on the ballot in the order of filing.

• Bakersfield: one one-year position, one two-year position and two three-year positions are coming open. The three-year terms of board president Bruce Bales and vice president Charles Moss are expiring, as well as a two-year term to fill the seat currently held by Mike Zimmer, whose job makes him unable to make the meetings. The one-year position coming open is to fill the unexpired term held by Kevin Kuk, who resigned because he moved out of the district. Four candidates have filed so far: incumbent Bruce Bales as well as Jonathan Belt, Jonathan Lashley and Michael Scott. For more information, call superintendent Amy Britt at 284-7333.

• Dora: Two three-year positions are coming open, those held by Lynda Smith and Jeff Strong. At press time Tuesday morning, no one had filed. However, incumbent Jeff Strong told the Times he was planning to file. Smith could not be reached for comment. For more information, call superintendent Steve Richards at 261-2346.

• Gainesville: Two three-year positions are coming open, those held by Heather Bushner and Robbie Walrath. So far, both incumbents have filed for re-election, and no other candidates have filed. For more information, call superintendent Jeff Hyatt at 679-4200.

• Lutie: Two three-year positions are coming open, those held by Robert Edwards and Matthew Shockey.
At press time Tuesday morning, no candidates had filed.  For more information contact Scot Young at 273-4274.

• Thornfield: Two three-year positions are coming, those held by Daniel Collins and Shane Funk. So far, only Funk, an incumbent, has filed. For more information, contact administrator Melissa Campbell at 265-3368.

 

MUNICIPAL BOARDS

City of Bakersfield: Two two-year terms are coming open, those currently held by Dianna Stover and Erin Bonham. So far, only Stover, an incumbent, has filed. Candidates may file at the Bakersfield City Hall. For more information, call 284-7238 or 284-1626. 

City of Gainesville: Three two-year terms are coming open, those held by west ward alderman Shane Ledbetter, center ward alderman Treva Warrick and east ward alderman Dana Crisp. Qualified candidates must be at least 18 years old, a US citizen, a resident of the city for one year preceding election and a resident of the ward in which he or she is filing and must continue to reside in the ward during the time he or she serves. So far, incumbents Warrick and Crisp have filed; Ledbetter had not filed as of Monday, but he told the Times he intends to do so. Candidates may file at Gainesville City Hall. For more information, call 679-4858.  

 Theodosia Village: Two two-year positions are coming open on the Theodosia Board of Trustees, the seats currently held by Bret Cook and Paul Dettinger. Both incumbents have filed, and no other candidates have filed. Candidates may file at Theodosia Village Hall, which is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information, call Margo Maglione at 273-4830.

 

PUBLIC BOARDS

Ozark County Ambulance District: Two three-year terms are expiring, the District 1 seat currently held by Jerri Sue Crawford, and the District 4 seat currently held by Greg Zubrod. Crawford and Zubrod have both filed for re-election; no other candidates have filed. Candidates who reside in those districts may file at the Ozark County Clerk’s office in the courthouse. For more information, call district administrator Stacy Raney at 679-3624.

Ozark County Health Department: Two four-year terms are coming open, those currently held by Sue Orf of Bakersfield and Bill Cockrum of Gainesville. Both incumbents have filed for re-election, and no other candidates have filed. Candidates may file at the Ozark County Clerk’s office in the courthouse. For more information, call OCHD at 679-3334.

Public Water District #1 in Theodosia: One three-year term, currently held by Connie Johns, is coming open. Johns, the incumbent, has filed for re-election, and no other candidates have filed. Candidates may file at the water district office. For more information, call the office at 273-4825.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423