Ward 5 race, area school districts see contested races

The city of Poplar Bluff will see a contest for its Ward 5 seat, after filing closed Tuesday for municipal and school board races.

Incumbent Robert Smith and Spencer Jones have filed for the Ward 5 seat, which Smith has held for five terms.

Only two candidates filed for the two open at-large seats, former city manager Mark Massingham and incumbent Chris Taylor. Mayor Steve Davis, an at-large council member, did not file for re-election.

Three terms for school board members are also expiring in each of the Poplar Bluff, Twin Rivers and Neelyville school districts.

A total of six candidates have filed for three open seats on the Poplar Bluff School District Board of Education.

Raymond Webb, Anthony Curnutt, incumbent Jerrod Murphy, David Elledge, Larry Kimbrow and incumbent Mike Price are each seeking one of the three-year terms. The term of board president John Scott is also expiring and he did not file for re-election.

Terms will expire on the Twin Rivers School Board for Jeff Arnold, Billy Watson and Josh Johnson. Arnold and Watson have both said they will not seek new terms.

Brandon Vancil filed for the Twin Rivers board as of the last information from the district. School officials could not be reached Tuesday for comment.

Neelyville incumbent Bobby Burgett and Paul Petty filed for re-election to their seats, according to the district. The term of Shane Eaker, who did not file, is also expiring. Other candidates seeking one of the three terms are: Wayne Wilcut; Amanda Wolfram; Adam Couch; Chuck Reinbott; and Martha Gavino.