From staff reports
news@joplinglobe.com
The filing period for candidates in the April 6 city and school elections closed Tuesday in many communities.
The absence of races for some school board seats means there will be no election in those jurisdictions. State law allows school districts to forgo board elections if there are no contests, said Bonnie Earl, Jasper County clerk.
Joplin
Voters in Joplin will fill three general City Council seats and two zone posts.
General council candidates are Mike Woolston and Phil Stinnett, both incumbents, and Jonathan Kelly Maddy, Jack Golden, Trisha Raney, Erik Wright and Kevin York.
Also certified for the ballot are incumbents Gary Shaw, in Zone 1, and Mike Seibert, in Zone 4.
In the race for the Joplin Board of Education, three residents are seeking two seats. Incumbents Mike Landis and Ashley Micklethwaite face a challenge from Dave Guilford.
Carthage
Races have developed for two City Council seats in Carthage.
John Studebaker, incumbent, and Debbie Carter are seeking the Ward 3 post. Brent Greninger, incumbent, and Ron Wells, a former Ward 2 council member, are seeking the Ward 5 seat.
Other council candidates include incumbents Claude Newport, Ward 1, and T.J. Teed, Ward 2. Mike Riley filed for the Ward 4 seat held by Larry Ross, who is not seeking re-election.
There currently is no candidate for a one-year Ward 2 term, according to City Clerk Lynn Campbell.
Mike Harris filed for the mayor’s post being vacated by Jim Woestman.
Five residents are seeking two seats on the Carthage School Board. Candidates are Mark Westhoff and Debbie Baugh, both incumbents, and challengers Amy Jennings, Justin Baucom and Alan Snow.
Webb City
The only race is for mayor, with incumbent John Biggs being challenged by Ken Ansley.
All council candidates are incumbents seeking re-election: Ray Edwards, Ward 1; Don Darby, Ward 2; Jerry Fisher, Ward 3; and Gene Mense, Ward 4.
There will be no election for the Webb City Board of Education. The two posts are being sought by Dan McGrew and Kevin Crane, both incumbents.
Carl Junction
The only race for the City Council comes in Ward 3, where incumbent Mark Powers is challenged by Ronald Brewer. Other council candidates are incumbents Don Marshall, Ward 1; Carl Skaggs, Ward 2; and Dee Lynn Davey, Ward 4.
In the Carl Junction School District, incumbents Larry Cowger and Bonnie Stutesman are the only candidates to have filed for board seats.
Neosho
In Neosho, voters will fill two positions on the City Council. Candidates are Jeff Werneke and Warren Langland, incumbents, and challengers Chris Wright and Tom Workman.
Candidates for two Neosho School Board posts are Bruce Mahr and Chris Parks, both incumbents, and challengers Kevin Butler and Mike Stauffer.
