Extension Council election takes new format

Voting for the University of Missouri Extension Council of Butler County will be different this year since COVID-19 stalled the 2021 Heartland Agriculture and Natural Resources Expo. The expo normally is the site for many to vote to elect seven people for two-year terms.

Eleven candidates have filed for terms. Voting will begin Jan. 12 at the University of Missouri Extension Center and online at extension.missouri.edu/butler.It will continue through Jan. 19.

Ballots may be filled out and mailed or taken to the Butler County University of Missouri Extension Center, 614 Lindsay Ave., Suite 3, Poplar Bluff.

There also will be an opportunity for voters to cast ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, 1111 W. Pine St., and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Neelyville Neighborhood Center, 2 Park St., Neelyville.

Ballots must be received at the University of Missouri Extension Center by Jan. 19 to be eligible to be counted.

Voting age residents of Butler County may select any seven of the nominees listed.

Council members are volunteers responsible for maintaining the University of Missouri Extension Center and for planning programs with the professional

and paraprofessional faculty and staff in Butler County, according to John Fuller and Juan Cabrera, interim county engagement specialists.

According to Extension Council Chair Jerrica Fox, county and regional specialists and paraprofessionals for the University of Missouri System provide educational programs to Butler County citizens in several areas.

Programs are available in the fields of agriculture, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, family and community education clubs, and food and nutrition programs for youth and low-income families.

The 11 candidates are:

David Johnson, Dr. Dean Dye, Clay West, Maria Francisco, Sue Crites Szostak, Paula Howell, BriAnne Merriman Riggins, Jo Ann Brandon, Frank Eddleman, Jack Altman and Samantha Pennington Evans.

The 11 candidates for seven seats on the University of Missouri Extension Council of Butler County are:

David Johnson, Dr. Dean Dye, Clay West, Maria Francisco, Sue Crites Szostak, Paula Howell, BriAnne Merriman Riggins, Jo Ann Brandon, Frank Eddleman, Jack Altman and Samantha Pennington Evans.

The following information has been provided by the candidates.

Johnson

Johnson has been a resident of Poplar Bluff for more than 50 years. A retired school teacher, Johnson is community oriented and has volunteered with many programs. He is a member of the VFW and AMVETS Post 29. Johnson is a member of the Recycling Grace Ministry, a local women’s shelter, board member of the Poplar Bluff Museum and the Railroad Historical Committee. He currently is vice president of the Butler County Extension Council.

Dye

Dye is a local pediatrician. He is a member of the Poplar Bluff Masonic Lodge No. 209 and the Three Rivers Shrine Club. Dye is on the Three Rivers College Booster Club Board. A member of the First United Methodist Church, he enjoys spending time on Current River, snow skiing and fishing. Dye currently serves on the Butler County Extension Council.

West

West is a lifelong resident of Poplar Bluff and graduate of Poplar Bluff High School. He works as an excavating contractor and farms for Inman Brothers Farms. He is the president of the Bootheel Tractor Pullers Association and a member of the First United Methodist Church. His hobbies include working on tractors and fabricating equipment, doing mechanic work and barbcuing. West currently serves on the Butler County Extension Council.

Francisco

Francisco works in mental health and social work (LCSW). She owns her own private practice and operates as a licensed clinical social worker. Francisco serves Poplar Bluff R-I and Twin Rivers R-X districts. She provides services at Haven House and contracts with Neelyville R-IV Schools. Francisco’s hobbies include outdoor activities, spending time with her family and serving others.

Szostak

Szostak was born and raised in Butler County and grew up on Black River in the Big Island area. She attended Big Island, Broseley and Twin Rivers R-X schools. Her family heritage in Butler County began in 1860 in the Cane Creek community; therefore, Szostak has close ties to many families in Butler County. She is the wife of Joseph A. Szostak Jr. and has been married 39 years. They have three children who live in Tennessee. Szostak is a member of Kiwanis, the Monday Literary Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, P.E.O., Missouri Library Association, American Library Association and the Missouri Public Library Directors. She attends Palace of Praise and has been the director of the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library since 2013.

Howell

Howell grew up on a small farm near Greenville. She graduated from Greenville High School and then Three Rivers College. She has been a Butler County resident for more than 40 years and a past member of the Poplar Bluff Kiwanis Club. Howell works as a cash reconciliation clerk for SoutheastHEALTH. Her hobbies include gardening and reading. Howell enjoys all outdoor activities and spending time with her grandchildren.

Riggins

Riggins is a registered dietitian and works with the John J. Pershing Food Pantry. She attends Fellowship General Baptist Church.

Brandon

Brandon is a retired registered nurse. She is a board member of the Northside Community Center and a Women of Purpose chairperson. Brandon is president of the Lively Stone Church of God Sisterhood and would like to utilize her skill sets to facilitate community improvement and to be an advocate for anyone in need.

Eddleman

Eddleman retired from West Plains VA Clinic in March. Prior to working at the VA, he was a hospitalist for Aurora Medical group in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Eddleman and his wife have been married for 27 years and have four children, as well as six grandchildren. He graduated from medical school at the University of Missouri and his undergraduate degree was in chemistry from the University of Missouri in St. Louis. His hobbies include fishing and camping.

Altman

Altman is the president of the Butler County Fair Board. He is a member of the Poplar Bluff Severe Weather Response Team and the SEMO Kennel Club. Altman is married and has two grandchildren. He is a board member of Black River Coliseum and a Downtown Poplar Bluff organizer of BBQ Street Wars. Altman is a St. Louis BBQ Society certified judge. His hobbies include wood carving.

Evans

Evans is a partner at the law firm Maness, Maness & Pennington Evans, where she specializes in estate planning and serves as strategic general counsel for small businesses throughout Missouri. She is married to Dereck Evans, owner and operator of Sanctified Soil LLC, a certified naturally grown produce farm serving Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas. Evans attends First Presbyterian Church in Malden, where her husband is the pastor. Their children attend Westwood Baptist Academy, where they are active in sports and civic activities. They are active in the Miriam Brehmer Suzuki Academy located in Dexter, where the children are learning violin. Evans attended undergraduate school at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She obtained her juris doctor and legum magister from the University of Illinois – John Marshall Law School.