FOUR MINER ALDERMAN POSITIONS TO BE DECIDED IN NEXT ELECTION

MINER -- During a recent monthly meeting of the Miner Board of Alderman, city officials set down the particulars of the April 2000 election and the candidate filing period.

Four elected positions will be up for grabs: Mayor a two-year position; Ward 1 Alderman, one-year; Ward 1 Alderman, two-year; Ward 2 Alderman two-year.

These positions are currently held by: Terry Cole, Mitch Thompson, Steve Hampton and Tom Brock.

The period for residents to file for candidacy runs from Dec. 21-Jan. 18.

In additional discussion about the city's future, Brock said it was his belief, and that of several citizens he talked to, that the city of Miner should "break away from the Sikeston Chamber of Commerce." He added: "We've got enough businesses out here now where we can survive on our own. The Sikeston Chamber is not doing us any good."

Alderman Don Holman disagreed, saying he felt the Sikeston Chambe was benefiting Miner.

As discussion wound down, Brock stated he would look into what it would take to disassociate with the Sikeston Chamber of Commerce, and what it would take to start a Miner version.

Earlier, he raised questions about the street lighting project and complained that it was taking too long.

Initially begun in May, the project was expanded with plans to place more lights. No action other than discussion took place.

In other business:

* Compensatory time taken by the city's police officers will be supervised more closely. It was noted that at times, officers took compensatory time in the same period, which meant those covering had to work overtime, costing the city additional money. According to City Attorney Kenny Dement, officers are entitled to the comp time they've earned, but they don't necessarily get to choose when it is taken. They can request certain dates with enough notice as long as it does not disrupt the normal operations of the department.