Unopposed Marble Hill incumbents want to tackle issues

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Incumbents Marian Hutchings and David Conrad are both running unopposed in Tuesday's election, but that doesn't mean that they're resting on their laurels.

"There's a lot for us to do," said Hutchings, 50, who will start her third term representing Ward I after the election.

Hutchings and Conrad, 52, both spoke of staying on the board of aldermen to help deal with decreasing tax revenue and a shrinking business base.

"I think we are in the middle of a transition period with a fiscal crisis," Hutchings said. "We need to stay focused on some of the things we've already started without changing horses in midstream."

Hutchings said the sales tax revenue has dropped because of the loss of business. Cutbacks may be needed, she said, though she didn't want to talk specifics yet.

She said the utilities are becoming very expensive to operate, including the sewer and storm-water systems. A replacement pump, for example, cost $5,500, which is a lot for a small town.

She said there are nine substations and this is the fourth one that's had to be worked on within the last year. She said repairs cost almost 60 percent of what it could cost to replace them.

But Hutchings said that there are other areas she'd like to address, including beautification.

"I supposed I would like to try to help the town look a little bit fresher, more cleaned up," she said.

She'd also like to see some new sidewalks.

Recruiting business is also going to be key in the next few years, said Conrad, who represents Ward II. He also said that boosting tourism would help and is being talked about.

"We want to get more people to come through Marble Hill and Bollinger County," he said. "If you do that, you can get more businesses here. We're losing revenue because of the businesses that are leaving."

There are other Bollinger County races on Tuesday, too.

In the village of Zalma, five council members are up for re-election and are running uncontested for one-year terms. Up for re-election are Dolores Jackson, Debra Thornburgh, Linda Pape, Mary VanGennip and Richard Thornburgh.

In the town of Glenallen, two members of the board of trustees are up for re-election for two-year terms. The incumbents are Eldon Woodfin and Allen Clark.

In the village of Sedgewickville, two council members are up for re-election for two-year terms. They are Perry "Lynn" James and Nolan Crank.

smoyers@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137

CANDIDATES

Marian Hutchings

Spouse: Charles.

Children: Madeleine, 15

Employment: Hutchings Funeral Chapel

Education: Business administrative degree from Southeast Missouri State University with an accounting major.

Membership/qualifications: Vice president of Bollinger County Library Board, member of the Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Missouri Funeral Directors Association, the Missouri Funeral Directors Association and youth counselor with 4-H.

David Conrad

Spouse: Dodi

Children: None.

Employment: Construction superintendent with Penzel Construction

Education: Graduate from Woodland High School in 1970, spent a year and a half in college before joining the U.S. Army for two years.