Honesty, integrity foremost concerns for voters in Wards 4 and 5

Turnout was steady Tuesday as voters went to the polls in Butler County to decide on primary races at the state and county levels.

“When I went around right before lunch, from what I could tell (turnout) was higher than an average August,” said Butler County Clerk Tonyi Deffendall. “I think it has been pretty steady across the county.”

In Poplar Bluff’s fourth and fifth Wards, voters had several sets of concerns on their minds as they headed to the polls. However, there were two things, which were mentioned often when they were asked what was important in the candidates they wanted to see elected — honesty and integrity.

“I’m looking for integrity more than anything,” Doyle Sappington said after casting his ballot at the Ward 4 polling place at the Temple Baptist Church annex this morning. “No beating around the bush — if you can help us, fine. If you can’t, let us know that.

“But, at least let us know something and don’t just tell us something to tickle our ears.”

Peter Tinsley, a Ward 5 voter, said he was pleased with the field of candidates that were on the ballot.

“I’ve never seen such a batch of good candidates,” Tinsley said. “I don’t believe we have anybody that’s going to be terrible in the bunch. I believe [they have] honesty and integrity.”

Lawrence Freeman, another Ward 4 voter, valued a similar set of qualities in the candidates he wanted to see win office.

“Competence and being trustworthy,” Freeman said

Also near the front of the line in the minds of voters were local races for such offices as coroner and public administrator.

“Candidates for local offices are very important,” Bruce Goin said at the Ward 4 polling place.

Ida Malson, a Ward 5 voter, pointed to another local office as being important to her.

“The amendments and the race for Eastern District commissioner,” Malson said.

Last, but not least, voters in Wards 4 and 5 did not overlook larger, more general issues.

“Healthcare, policing and running our state as best we can to help the people of the state [are important],” Freeman said.

Tinsley said he would like to see children be able to return to the classroom and for people to be able to get back to work. He also pointed to the proposed tax for additional funding for law enforcement as important.

“The most important issues today are keeping people safe coming out of the pandemic and getting people back to work,” Tinsley said. “I feel so sorry for the children, and the women that are being abused.

“They’re locked in with these monsters. … These abusive parents knew that they had to send their kid to school the next day. Now, they don’t have that.”

Sappington said he wanted to see candidates who would not waste the citizens’ money win Tuesday.

“The issues that are important to me are fiscal responsibility, job security and [anti]-socialist,” Sappington said. “[I want] someone that is going to fight for veterans, fight for the underdog and are honest about the issues which they take up.”