Marlo wins another six years as commissioner

MARION - Fresh off his re-election to the Williamson County Board Tuesday, Commissioner Jim Marlo, R-Herrin, was brimming with confidence.

"We have a good board. We all get along with one another. We don't bicker like you often see at the state and federal levels. That's why we get a lot accomplished."

Marlo said it's a great honor that the people of Williamson County have selected him for another six-year term.

"I truly love my job," he said.

The new term is Marlo's second as commissioner. He collected 17,781 votes or 64 percent of the total vote, easily outdistancing Democratic challenger Mike Wright of Energy, who totaled 8,683 votes or a little better than 31 percent.

"I like trying to help people," Marlo said.

Marlo said the board's greatest concern as always is finding a way to balance the county budget. The board has never failed to do so.

"But the state doesn't make it easy for us, cutting back on our income tax and sales tax allotments this year. The two combined is a loss of about $250,000 over last year. What the state is basically doing is trying to balance their budget on the backs of local governments."

Marlo said the best part of his job is meeting and interacting with the people of the county, and when appropriate, educating them on county government.</group><group id="A717C1A0-A875