Oronogo residents waiting for recount on mayoral race

April 14, 2008 09:29 pm

— By Susan Redden
sredden@joplinglobe.com
ORONOGO, Mo. — Residents of Oronogo will have to wait a little longer to learn, officially, who will be the city’s next mayor.
A three-vote margin separated the top two candidates, and ballots cast last Tuesday will be counted again on Thursday, said Bonnie Earl, Jasper County clerk.
Bob Pearish was the apparent winner with 109 votes, followed by Bruce Richardson with 106 votes.
Richardson asked for the recount on Friday, Earl said.
“He talked to me earlier but didn’t request one,” she said. “Then he called me later and said a number of people had encouraged him to ask. He’s entitled to a recount under state law, because the vote is so close.”
Earl said a number of residents had called the clerk’s office to ask for a recount, or to say they would sign or circulate a petition asking for a recount.
“That’s not necessary,” she said. “It’s set for Thursday, and I’ve told both candidates that they can be there or have representatives there.”
The 106 votes received by Richardson represented 36.5 percent of the vote, while Pearish’s total represented 37.5 percent.
Among other candidates on the ballot, Bucky Flathers received 8 votes, and Steve VanSlyke received 11 votes. Norman West, who was not listed on the ballot but had registered as a write-in candidate, received 56 votes, or 19.3 percent of the total.
Richardson, a former councilman, had served as mayor since December. He was appointed by the City Council to fill the post after Mayor Millie West resigned. The write-in candidate, Norman West, is Millie West’s husband.
An eight-vote margin separated the winner and loser in the race for 1st Ward alderman in Oronogo. Richard E. Smith received 51 votes to 43 for Bob Russell.
In a race for 2nd Ward alderman, Patrick Tuttle received 123 votes, Stephen R. Shafer 58.