Three candidates for one county board seat
Longtime Perry County commissioner Sam Robb's retirement brings three candidates--two Republicans and one Democrat--into the race for that seat.
As Monday's 5 p.m. filing deadline came and went those having filed for Robb's seat include retiring Republican Perry County Supervisor of Assessments John Batteau, Republican business and finance professional Michelle Rodely and Democrat barber shop owner Dallas Bigham, all Du Quoin residents with countywide backgrounds. Batteau and Rodely must face each other in the Republican spring primary.
The deadline brings two into the race for Perry County coroner--incumbent Republican Paul Searby and Democrat Lindsay Cadwell Baker.
Republican Assistant Perry County State's Attorney David Searby, Jr. and prominent Democrat Du Quoin attorney Matt Benson will face each other in November's general election.
Incumbent Perry County Circuit Clerk Kim Kellerman will run unopposed.
The newspaper understands there will be a candidate for Perry County Supervisor of Assessments that will be caucused into the race after completing her certification.
Shortly after filing, Rodely provided the newspaper with her formal campaign announcement. That announcement follows:
Running on a platform of government transparency and pledging to add more business common-sense, Michelle R. Rodely (R-Du Quoin) is seeking the Republican nomination for a seat on the three-member Perry County Board of Commissioners.
"As the mother of two children, I want the next generation to have the choice of staying in this area and raising a family. The decisions we make now will affect them in the future. Currently, we are dealing with the decisions from the administration 10 years ago that has the county in the red. Since then, we've turned a corner and the ship has been righted and I believe it's time for a new voice to continue the better stewardship for our local taxpayer monies and continue fiscal progress," Rodely said. "I hope to add another perspective on county finances and a need to exercise fiscal responsibility based on more than 20 years business and financial experience, if I am fortunate enough to earn the trust of the Perry County voters."
Rodely has life-long Perry County roots, having graduated from Pinckneyville Community High School in 1985. She then continued her education at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Management in 1989.
For the past decade she has served as Assistant Controller, for E.T. Simonds Construction Company in Carbondale, handling a wide range of accounting and financial responsibilities.
"I believe that my business skills will be of value to the county and I will do my best to bring a common-sense approach to county finances. I also want the residents to know that I will remove myself from any conflicts of interest, when it comes to any potential bids that could be awarded to my employer," Rodely said.
Michelle and her husband, Bruce reside on their rural Du Quoin farm with their two children Reese and Reagan. She is active in the community by serving on the Du Quoin Tourism Board and is a dedicated parent volunteer with many Du Quoin District 300 related activities.