Marble Hill Board of Aldermen swearing-in delayed

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Marble Hill's Board of Aldermen might have to consider appointing a new member when it meets April 22.

No candidate ran for the Ward 2 seat, and the winner of the write-in vote, with a total of two votes, was Junior Long. Long has not officially accepted the position, and he isn't legally obligated to.

City attorney Alan Beussink said if Long declines the position, it will be up to the aldermen to appoint an alderman for that ward. Ward 2 residents who received a write-in vote include Don Cook, Mervin Miller, current Alderman James Sear, Loyd Ivey, Nick Hendricks, Don James, Ron Deck, Gary Shrum, Frank James, Larry Roberts, Mike Morris, Chris Lutes, Steven Clay, Clara Lape, Kenneth Trentham and Clint Lacy. Trentham and Lacy are not eligible to represent the ward.

"Some of these have been contacted," Beussink said.

It is not yet known if any of them have an interest in serving.

The board also will need to appoint a mayor and a mayor pro tem. Sear is serving as mayor in his capacity as mayor pro tem. He could serve as mayor if the outgoing board appoints him. The outgoing board also could appoint a mayor pro tem from among its membership, who could then open the new session. If there is no mayor or mayor pro tem when the new board members are sworn in, it remains to be seen who can open the meeting to start the board's new year.

Pertinent address:

Marble Hill, Mo.