Killian returns as Dexter alderman

DEXTER — Frank Killian is looking forward to seeing the City of Dexter continue to grow as he serves another term representing the citizens of Ward III.

Killian defeated Ronald J. Ahrens by 51 votes during Tuesday’s municipal election. Having received 71.43% of the votes cast, Killian will return to the Board of Aldermen for his fourth two-year term.

“I appreciate the folks having the faith and confidence in me to help lead our city and do what is best for Dexter,” Killian said.

The city, Killian said, has partnered with the Dexter School District to “keep our kids safe” and “partnered with Dexter Park and Rec” to provide “better facilities” for the children.

Killian said he also is looking forward to the proposed dog park in Dexter.

“I looking forward to seeing Dexter continue to grow in the way we’re going,” Killian said. “I look forward to working with our mayor, city administrator, lawyer, all the good people of Dexter and our board.”

As Killian’s challenger, Ahrens said, his 29 votes “doubled my vote total from the last time I ran.

“I didn’t get out and campaign like I wanted to, so I’m surprised by that.”

Killian, he said, is known.

“I’m not,” Ahrens said. “I’ll do it (run) again in two years.”

There also were three write-in votes cast in the alderman race.

Ward I Alderman Terry Battles and Ward II Alderman Tim Aslin ran unopposed. Each received more than 99% of the votes cast, with one write-in vote cast in Ward I and three write-ins in Ward II.

In the race for two seats on the Puxico R-VIII School District, Kristi Siler and Michael Clubb garnered the most votes.

Having received 32.6% of the votes cast, Clubb’s 327 votes earned him a seat on the board, He will replace Allen Clark, who did not seek re-election.

Clubb was followed by incumbent Siler with 309 votes (30.8%), Scott Stewart with 211 votes (21.0%) and Michael Armstrong with 154 votes (15.4%). There also were two write-in votes.

In Puxico’s Board of Alderman Ward I race, Matthew Mitchell defeated incumbent G.S. Kilbreth by 17 votes. Mitchell received 68.89% of the votes cast as compared to Kilbreth’s 31.11%.

Justin Bell was elected to serve on the Stoddard County Ambulance District. He received 103 votes (45.18%) and was followed by Marla Swindell with 83 votes (36.40%) and Jeffery Larsen with 41 votes (17.98%). There also was on write-in vote.

In the race for Bernie’s Board of Alderman Ward III race, incumbent Scott Spitzer was re-elected. He received 27 votes (37.50%), which was 3 votes more than Ivan Mekan and 6 more than Randall S. Stephens.

Voters in the city of Bernie also approved a use tax by a margin of 7 votes. Seventy-four votes were cast is favor of the measure as compared to 67 votes against.