County clerk hoping for 30 percent voter turnout

Perry County

Pinckneyville's mayoral race between Fran Thomas, one of the most respected women in public service, and Robert Spencer, a black candidate whose unprecedented career in conservation and community caring make him equally revered, is the most interesting race in Tuesday's election.

Equally impressive are the candidates for mayor of the City of Du Quoin--incumbent Rex Duncan and challenger Guy Alongi. Duncan's focus on small business growth and finishing the downtown redevelopment begun during the Rednour administration are impressive. Alongi wants to not only continue those initiatives, but give back to commissioners and the city's staff the trust placed with them before the era of city administrators, which on some levels has also had a lot of merit.

The 12--count them, 12--commissioner candidates include Gerald Whitley, Donnie Kunkel, Steve Zoller, Yvonne Morris,Josh Downs, Dale Spencer, John M. Tilley, Joe Stephens, Michael Ward, Angela Roach, Charles Genesio and Harvey Smith.

Voters across the county are also voting on whether to add a 1 percent sales tax on many retail purchases across the county to fund school building repairs and improvements.

Because of these things, Perry County Clerk Josh Gross hopes the voter turnout climbs from 26 percent four years ago to 30 percent on Tuesday. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.