City Clerk Debbie Cornell (right) gets a hug from Court Clerk Carol Feathers during a retirement party Thursday for Cornell at Carterville City Hall.

Debbie Cornell retires after 24 years as Carterville city clerk

April 17, 2024

Debbie Cornell said goodbye to Carterville City Hall Thursday after 24 years of service.

She’s retiring as city clerk but has also filled in as court clerk and finance officer. Prior to being employed by Carterville, she was the city clerk for eight years in Oronogo.

Other city clerks from southwest Missouri attended her retirement reception. Also attending were Mayor Alan Griffin, city employees, and Debbie’s family.

Kaylee Nash, who has served as deputy city clerk for the past year, will succeed Cornell.

Carterville runoff election set for April 30

Carterville Mayor Alan Griffin announced last week that a runoff election will be held Tuesday, April 30 to break a tie vote to fill the open 1st Ward City Council seat.

On April 2, Darlene Taylor and Devin Keeling both received 14 votes. Only 1st Ward residents registered to vote prior to April 2 will be allowed to vote.

Meanwhile, Griffin said he is looking for candidates for the open 3rd Ward city council seat. He has the authority, with council approval, to appoint someone to fill the seat. There were no candidates for the seat on the April 2 ballot. Although there were four write-in votes, Griffin said they were all determined to be ineligible.