Alongi and Spencer win mayors' races in Du Quoin, Pinckneyville
Even before the last four Du Quoin precincts were counted the face of city government was already changing.
Mayor-elect Guy Alongi, who defeated incumbent Rex Duncan 935-667, named his new city treasurer, Stephanie Cravens, wife of Jim Cravens of the accounting firm of Cravens & Cravens.
She will replace longtime city treasurer Jacqueline Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Cravens have four children.
The Alongi win was 58.36% to 41.64%. Alongi vindicated a loss to the late Mayor John Rednour by only 16 votes (854-838) in the 2011 mayoral election before the mayor's death.
"People were ready for a wholesale change," Alongi said as friends watched the election results being posted on a screen in the banquet room at Alongi's Restaurant.
That wholesale change includes the election of an entirely new Du Quoin city council. Winners were retired Chief of Police and Du Quoin school board president Mike Ward (794 votes), retired Du Quoin public works director Dale Spencer (587 votes), local businessman, and retired Illinois Emergency Management president Charles Genesio (569 votes) and former police department lead investigator Gerald Whitley (554 votes). The eight candidates who were not elected include: Josh Downs (504 votes), Don Kunkel (478 votes), Angela Roach (454 votes), Yvonne Morris (423 votes), John Tilley (395 votes), Joe Stephens (349 votes), Steve Zoller, (254 votes) and Harvey Smith (224 votes).
Alongi said at the outset of his campaign that he would not renew the contract of city administrator Brad Myers, if elected. Myers' contract runs out April 30. He said he has already had dialogue with three individuals to fill a position he will call budget director. He may also advertise for the position. Any change in the way Du Quoin governs will require council approval and new ordinances.
He called Rex Duncan a "class act". He added, "In a small community we just want to move forward."
Historic Vote in Pinckneyville
The election of either Robert Spencer or Fran Thomas for mayor in Pinckneyville would have been historic--the first woman or the first African American.
Voters chose Spencer, a highly respected community leader, by only a five-vote margin (451-446). Unopposed William Stotlar was elected accounts and finance commissioner (769 votes). Kevin Hicks defeated James Shillinger (480-399 votes) for public health and safety commissioner. Sammy Peradotta defeated Joe Holder (545-308 votes) for streets commissioner. David Stone defeated Ruben Davis (526-358 votes) for public property commissioner.