Mason, Adams, Parker win city terms

A voter emerges from a pollng booth after filling out his ballot at Grace Baptist Church Tuesday morning. Voter turnout during Tuesday's election was less than one-fourth that of last November's election. (Jason E. Silvers/Tribune photo)

The majority of registered voters in the local area did not voice their opinions in Tuesday's election as less than 15 percent of the local voters cast their ballots at the polls, according to Bourbon County Clerk Joanne Long.

"Turnout was light in Bourbon County ... as 1,495 voters cast their ballots in the city/school general election," Long said. "With 10,239 total registered voters, that's a 14.6 percent turnout."

According to Long, the number of voters who came out to vote on Tuesday was drastically lower than the 6,874 voters who voted in November's general election. The last city/school election conducted in April of 2007, attracted more than 2,000 voters.

The results, though unofficial as of press time, give a clear indication of who local residents have chosen to represent them in the Fort Scott City Commission.

Sam Mason, who was chosen to serve a four-year term as a city commissioner, received 614 votes. Also chosen to serve a four-year term on the city commission, Jim Adams received 599 votes. Receiving 550 votes, Jeanie Parker was elected to serve a two-year term as a city commissioner.

Although the two new commissioners along with Adams, who was re-elected, have varying viewpoints on the issues facing the local area, all said taking action on the city's budget would be one of their top priorities.

"We have so many projects going now," Adams said. "Probably (will focus first on) streets and sidewalk improvements ... Also, something we need to start on immediately is the budget."

Mason said, "I think I will look at the budget, see how the money is spent and what money is received."

Although Parker said she will need to spend some time becoming accustomed to the position, financial matters will be one of the first issues she wants to look into.

"I am assuming the budget will be one of the biggest things we will have to face," Parker said.

General improvements to streets and sidewalks are among the long-term goals the three would like to see take place in the local area.

"As far as long-term goals, we're looking at the curb and guttering and the swimming pool for the youth and how we can fix it (swimming pool) or update it," Mason said.

"I think some of the long-term things we are working on such as 69 Highway will mean a lot to Fort Scott," Adams said. "We probably won't see the benefit for another ten years, but long-term it will mean a lot."

Adams added it is important to continue with economic development, codes enforcement and street improvement in order to make a good impression on people when they come into town.

"Really, economic improvement goes hand in hand with codes enforcement and improving our roads and making our town a lot more attractive," Adams said.

In an interview conducted Tuesday afternoon, Parker said, "I would like to see communication from the general public to the commission as a long-term goal to make it to where they feel like they can come to a commission meeting and talk about issues. (Also long-term goals are) Streets and overpass, a swimming pool and a skate park -- a lot of issues that would help kids and adults."

When asked what it would take to move the local community forward in a positive direction, Adams said he thinks the community is already heading in a positive direction.

"I kind of think we are (moving in a positive direction)," Adams said. "I think we got a real number of things that are going well. We have a bunch of city and community volunteers that are working. We have some good things going. We just need to expand it and need to make an effort to include a lot more people in it. Getting more city involvement and more information out to people about opportunities to volunteer."

When asked, Parker said she too believes more local involvement will help move the community forward.

"Involvement," Parker said. "I think to get everyone -- I am talking about everyone because this town is built for everyone -- involved and make them understand the issues that are out there and that sometimes your hands are tied because of state statutes. If we don't all work together, some groups are going to feel left out."

Mason said bringing more industry into Fort Scott would be influential in moving the city forward in a positive direction.

Before the election results were tallied, Adams said if he were re-elected he would know local voters were pleased with the job he has done during the last two years.

"I guess if I am reelected I have made the majority of voters happy," Adams said. "I hope people see that I have made decisions based on the good of the community as a whole. I think if you look at the decisions I have made as a whole they have been for the community and not for any special interest."

Tuesday afternoon Mason said if he were elected to the city commission, he would want to show his appreciation to local voters through his service.

"I would want to thank them," Mason said. "And I want to be a tremendous listener to the general public and what they think the needs are for Fort Scott to grow."

Before the unofficial election results were revealed Tuesday night, Parker said she will do the best job she can do while representing the citizens as a commissioner.

"(I would say) a great thank you, and I hope that I can do a good job for them (supporters) because they have stood behind me and encouraged me," Parker said. "I am going to try my best."

According to Long, the election results will remain unofficial until Monday.

"Local results are unofficial at this time and will be finalized on Monday by the County Board of Canvassers," Long said. "Six provisional ballots will be considered at that time as well."

Vote count is as of 10 p.m. Tuesday night and unofficial.

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

x -- Won four-year term.

y -- Won two-year term.

FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

USD 234 BOARD

All candidates ran unopposed.

UNIONTOWN MAYOR

x -- Write-in candidates.

UNIONTOWN COUNCIL

USD 235 BOARD

All candidates ran unopposed.

BRONSON MAYOR

BRONSON COUNCIL

FULTON MAYOR

FULTON COUNCIL

MAPLETON MAYOR

MAPLETON COUNCIL

REDFIELD MAYOR

REDFIELD COUNCIL

x -- Write-in candidate.