SOUTHERN ILLINOIS VOTERS EYE FEW CONTESTED RACES

Three local contested races are on ballots in the immediate Southern Illinois area and will share voter interest with several local issues when voters go to the polls Tuesday.

All three individual races are in Pulaski County. Republican incumbent state's attorney Ward Walshon of Grand Chain, who has served in that position the past eight years, is being challenged by Democrat Patrick Duffey, of Cobden.

Other races will pit Republican incumbent circuit clerk Ruth (Miller) Davis against Democrat challenger George R. Modglin; and Democrat county commissioner incumbent Sam Johnson faces Republican challenger Ned J. Gunn. Republican incumbent county coroner Bill E. Atherton of Ullin is unopposed.

There are no local races in Alexander and Union County, but there will be new face in the Alexander County court house. Jeffrey B. Farris of Olive Branch, is unopposed for state's attorney. He will replace incumbent Mark H. Clarke Jr., who is not running for re-election.

Rolly S. "Mit" Matlock, McClure, Democrat, is unopposed for county commissioner in Alexander County, but had to defeat three opponents in the primary. Other unopposed candidates on the Alexander County ballot are circuit clerk Susan C. Hileman, Cairo, Democrat and incumbent coroner David Barkett, Cairo, Democrat.

Unopposed candidates in Union County are incumbent circuit clerk Mattilene "Mat" Page, Anna, Democrat; incumbent state's attorney Wes Wilkins, rural Anna, Democrat; incumbent coroner Darryl W. Rendleman, Cobden, Democrat and Democrat county commissioner Jimmy L. Watkins, Jonesboro. Watkins defeated three opponents in the primary, including incumbent Bill Porter.

Pulaski and Union County voters will decide on whether to install 9-1-1 systems in their respective counties when voters go to the polls Tuesday.

In Pulaski County voters will decide whether to impose a surcharge of up to $3 a month network connection, with the fee added to the monthly telephone bill to install the emergency telephone system.

Union County voters are being asked to approve a $2.50 a month fee for the system, with the surcharge to start in the spring following the election.

If voters approve the propositions, it will take about two years to get the systems going. If approved, 9-1-1 boards would be established to oversee set-up and operations of the two systems.

Voters in the Anna-Jonesboro High School District #81 will vote on yet another education bill. Voters in the district will be asked to approve a temporary tax increase, allowing the district to pay back $365,000 which was borrowed last year to keep the school's doors open. The bond would be paid back over a 10-year period.

Voters in all three counties will vote on a special election issue to fill the vacancy of Judge Horace L. Calvo, in the 5th Judicial District. Candidates are Democrat Moses W. Harrison and Republican Don W. Weber.

Pulaski, Union and Alexander countians will also vote in the U.S. Senate race where a total of eight candidates are on the ballot, including Democrat Carol Moseley Braun and Republican Richard S. Williamson. Other candidates are Alan J. Port, New Alliance; Kathleen Kaku, Socialist Workers; John Justice, Populist; Charles A. Winter, Natural Law; Andrew B. Spiegel, Libertarian; and Chad Koppie, Conservative Party of Illinois.

In other national races, Pulaski County voters will cast their ballots in the 19th congressional district where incumbent Democrat Glenn Poshard of Carterville, will oppose Republican newcomer Douglas E. Lee of Decatur. Voters in Union and Alexander counties will vote in the 12th Congressional district, where incumbent Democrat Jerry F. Costello, will face Republican Mike Starr.

Voters from parts of all three counties will vote in the 118th state representative races where incumbent Democrat David D. Phelps will face Republican Jon Musgrave. Democratic Sen. James F. Rea is unopposed for state senate in the 59th Legislative District. Some Union County voters will cast ballots in the 58th Legislative District where incumbent Republican Sen. Ralph Dunn faces challenger Democrat Kenneth Buzbee. In the 115th Representative district, Democrat Gerald Hawkins faces Republican Mike Bost.