Scott Smith elected to fill vacant school board seat

a There’s a new member of the Webb City R-7 School Board as a result of Tuesday’s election.

Scott Smith defeated Austin Simpson 599-464 to complete the one year left of Jeanne Newby’s term. He will be sworn in on Tuesday, April 15, along with Dan McGrew and Stephen Crane, who were reelected to three-year terms.

According to unofficial results, 1,140 (7%) of the district’s 16,124 eligible voters cast ballots. You can see all of the results here.

In comparison, Carthage R-9’s two successful tax issues attracted 22% (3,342) of that district’s 14,899 eligible voters.

The R-9 voters approved a 55-cent increase in the operating levy with a 59% majority. And a 64% majority voted to approve a $25 million no-increase tax levy to finance construction of an auditorium with more classrooms and a tornado shelter at the high school.

Twenty-five percent of Carthage’s voters went to the polls for the contested mayor and council races. David Flanigan won 68% of the vote to become the city’s next mayor.

Oronogo voters turned down a proposed use tax with no votes outnumbering yes votes 89-66.

Brad Baker won the only contested race in Webb City to retain his 3rd Ward seat on the City Council. He has been serving by appointment to complete an unexpired term.

Carterville has a habit of tie elections. This year, Mike Dudley and Cody Franks, candidates for the 3rd Ward two-year term, both received 10 votes. In the past, rather than flipping a coin, there have been runoff elections.

The winner of the one-year unexpired 3rd Ward term is also undetermined. There were no candidates on the ballot for that opening, but six write-in votes have been counted.

Countywide, a proposal to establish a Jasper County Children’s Services Fund with a 1/4-cent sales tax was turned down by a vote of 4,100 yes – 4,572 no.