Incumbents Lisa Parson and Barbara Ann Horton held their Poplar Bluff City Council seats for wards 1 and 3 respectively in voting Tuesday.
Parson won with 31 votes against challengers Robert Duckett (12 votes) and David D. Williams (6 votes), according to uncertified results released Tuesday by Tonyi Deffendall, Butler County clerk. Election results are certified by the Friday after the election. Duckett had previously said he was withdrawing from the race.
Horton won 26-14 against challenger Billy D. DePew.
Horton and Parson have won three-year terms.
This will be the second term for Parson, 60, who is an insurance age at MHJ Insurance.
“As I said during my campaign, Ward 1 has been my home all of my life; it’s where my family ran a business and raised a family,” said Parson. “So the opportunity to represent the people and neighborhoods I grew up with is truly special and humbling.
“Moving forward, I will approach my second term as I did my first — listen to the people of my ward and work hard to make our community a place young people want to stay and raise a family.”
Parson has said she is proud of many projects that have been accomplished in the last three years, including upgrades to the airport runway from asphalt to concrete, which will enable more business travel to Poplar Bluff; helping secure funding to develop an industrial site where True Manufacturing has announced they will construct a new facility; supporting Empire Comfort System relocation to Poplar Bluff, which is estimated to bring $12 million in capital investment and over 200 jobs in the next five years; and replacing the bridge over Pike Creek on South 11th Street through the city securing a Community Block Development Grant to cover 90% of the project.
Both Parson and Horton have cited a project to build a downtown city hall as important in their upcoming terms.
Horton is starting her third term on the council.
“I’m excited the voters are allowing me to represent them for another three years,” said Horton, who is a reporter at the Daily American Republic. “I’m looking forward to not only the revitalization of the historic heart of Poplar Bluff, but the growth of the entire community.
“I will continue to value the views and opinions of not only those living in my ward but all the residents of Poplar Bluff. Thank you for allowing me to be your voice on the council.”
Horton also said she would like to look at city employee benefits as it moves forward with the replacement of retiring staff.
“Because of financial issues, the city has not been offering new employees benefits which kept many of the senior employees happy,” Horton said before the election. “I spoke with a department manager recently who explained that if one of his new employees wanted to ensure his family through the city, he would need to take a second job. I hope and pray the city will be able to return to being able to offer employees the best in benefits since I believe we have some of the best employees.”
Horton said she’s also pleased the city has continued to offer Buff Up the Bluff despite the challenges of COVID-19, and that it has reinstated the mosquito abatement program.
DePew is a retired Briggs & Stratton engineering technician who has lived at the same Ward 3 address for the past 40 years.
He said more industry with better-paying jobs to help the city keep its forward momentum was important.
He also would like to see the city complete more projects in older sections of the city.
Williams had not responded to requests for interviews.
Election results are considered unofficial until certified on the Friday following the election.