A contest has already developed for two of the three Poplar Bluff City Council seats that will be up for election April 7.
Filing opened yesterday for the at-large seats currently held by mayor pro tem Steve Davis and council member Ron Black, as well as the Ward 5 position held by Mayor Robert Smith. Filing remains open until Jan 21.
Four people have filed for the two at-large seats, including Davis, who was the first to sign up today, according to city clerk Nevada Young
Also filing for at-large this morning were Robert Duckett and Dr. John Risinger, followed this afternoon by Chester Pumphrey.
Black has not filed and in November said he was undecided about running for another term.
Smith has also filed for Ward 5 and is currently unopposed.
Each term is for three years.
Filing can be done at the city clerk’s office, 501 Vine Street, Poplar Bluff, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the last day of filing.
Candidates for city council must be 21 years of age; a citizen of the United States; a qualified voter; a resident of the City for one year; a resident of the Ward for which he or she seeks office for one year and if elected continue to live in that Ward throughout his or her term, according to the city. No one who is in arrears for any tax lien can be elected.
For more information, call the city clerk’s office at 573-686-8620, during regular business hours.