by Gregory Dullum
Staff Reporter
Voters overwhelmingly approved two local ballot issues April 4.
The Jackson R-2 School District asked permission to issue $22 million in bonds for the purpose of “acquiring, constructing, improving, renovating, repairing, furnishing and equipping school sites, buildings and related facilities in the District, including but not limited to (1) safety and security upgrades throughout the District, (2) classroom additions and renovations throughout the District and (3) improvements necessary to relocate freshman to the high school.”
According to the Cape Girardeau County unofficial summary, 3,210 voters (72.53 percent) checked “Yes” and 1,216 (27.47 percent) checked “No.”
The City of Jackson asked permission to allow businesses to sell liquor by the glass without being required to sell food. Voters approved the measure 1,427 (68.21 percent) to 665 (31.79 percent).
City of Jackson voters also returned Mayor Dwain Hahs, Ward 1 Alderman Wanda Young, Ward 2 Alderman David Hitt, Ward 3 Alderman Katy Liley and Ward 4 Alderman Tommy Kimbel to office. All five ran unopposed, but there were a handful of write-in votes in each race.
Other county elections:
Fruitland Prop F: The Fruitland Fire Protection District asked for a tax levy of not more than 50¢ per $100 asssessed valuation to provide 24-hour professional staffing, upgrade equipment and apparatus, and to provide training for part-time fire-fighters. The request was narrowly approved 547 (51.95 percent) to 506 (48.05 percent).
• Cape Girardeau School Board: Tracy Curtis (800 votes), Tony Smee (706 votes) and Jared Ritter (696 votes) were elected to the Cape Girardeau School Board.
Also running in this close contest were Melissa “Missy” Herbst Smith (688 votes) and Philip Moore (646 votes). There were 34 write-in votes.
• Delta R-5 School Board: Elected to three-year terms were Jessica Sanders (126 votes), Kenneth Cook (124 votes) and Scott Bond (123 votes).
Amy White received 78 votes and Jason Deckard garnered 38; there were 13 write-in votes.
• Oak Ridge R-6 School Board: Elected were Scott Hahs (181 votes), Pat Hunt (155 votes) and Jon Taylor (150 votes). George Below garnered 101 votes and there were five write-in votes.
Gordonville Trustees: Jon P. Friedrich collected 46 votes and Deborah Bessette garnered 33 to win two Gordonville Trustee seats. Pamela Saucier lost with 25 votes and there were two write-ins.
Allenville, Whitewater and Oak Ridge Trustees: Allenville, Whitewater and Oak Ridge each had two openings for trustees but had no candidates on the ballot.
Allenville had 14 write-in votes, Whitewater had 19 write-in votes and Oak Ridge had three write-in votes.
