Aurora voters pass $7.7 million school bond during April 6 election

Aurora voters approved a $7.7 million bond during the election on Tuesday, April 6. According to election results found on the Lawrence County Clerk’s webpage, the measure passed with 381 votes in favor, or 76.51-percent, and 117 votes against, or 23.49-percent. The Record reported on March 31 that the bond, if passed, would “be used to secure entryways and make security improvements at Robinson Elementary and Aurora Junior High School, build severe weather storm-hardened shelters and make renovations and utility efficiency upgrades at all of the district’s facilities.” The bond is expected to be paid off over 20 years. Aurora voters also approved Road Proposition One, with 379 votes in favor, or 82.03-percent, and 83 votes opposed, or 17.97-percent.
Also in the election, Halltown voters approved a measure that converts the city’s current volunteer fire department into a tax-funded fire protection district. The fire protection district will be funded with a tax levy of $.30 per $100 assessed value, as opposed to member dues.
Voter turnout for the election was a scant 9.13 percent (2,116 votes).
In other contested election results …
Mt. Vernon School Board:
Danny Bowling and John Rutledge were re-elected to the Mt. Vernon School Board with 362 votes and 361 votes, respectively, or 36.71-percent and 36.61-percent. Bethany Douglas received 257 votes, or 26.06-percent.
Miller School Board:
Joseph Engle and Chad Ricketts were elected to the Miller R-II School Board with 266 votes and 236 votes, respectively, or 35.8-percent and 31.76-percent. Board member Derek Hill received 234 votes or 31.49-percent.
Miller Mayor and Aldermen:
John Adamson defeated incumbent Stacy Daniels for the position of Mayor of Miller. Adamson received 86 votes, or 58.9-percent, while Daniels received 60 votes or 41.1-percent. Joe Haas and Phillip Bowers were also voted in as members of the Miller Board of Aldermen. Haas received 94 votes, or 42.15-percent, while Bowers received 74 votes, or 32.29-percent. Dennis Harris received 56 votes or 25.11-percent. Mt. Vernon Alderman, Ward III:
Incumbent Sherie Thrasher narrowly defeated challenger David Adams by one vote to retain her position on the Mt. Vernon Board of Aldermen. Thrasher received 29 votes, or 50.88-percent, while Adams received 28 votes, or 49.12-percent.
Stotts City Fire Board of Directors:
Stotts City voters chose Rodney White and Rick Moenkhoff for the Stotts City Fire Board of Directors. White received 38 votes, or 50-percent, while Moenkhoff received 34 votes or 44.74-percent. Larry Rusk received four votes, or 5.26-percent.
Unofficial election results for Lawrence County, Mo. for April 6, 2021.
Aurora Schools Bond Issue
Yes - 418 (76%)
No - 129 (24%)
Aurora Special Road District Levy
Yes - 379 (82%)
No - 83 (18%)
Halltown Fire Protection District Question 1
Yes - 119 (78%)
No - 33 (22%)
Miller Alderman At-Large (Vote for two)
Joe Haas - 94 (42%)
Philip J. Bowers - 72 (32%)
Dennis Harris - 56 (25%)
Miller Mayor
John Adamson - 86 (59%)
Stacy Daniels - 60 (41%)
Miller School Board
Joseph Engle - 266 (36%)
Chad Ricketts - 236 (32%)
Derek Hill - 234 (32%)
Mount Vernon Alderman Ward 2
Sherie Thrasher - 29 (51%)
David Adams - 28 (49%)
Mount Vernon School District School Board
Danny Bowling - 362 (37%)
John Rutledge - 361 (37%)
Bethany Douglas - 257 (26%)
Stotts City Fire Protection Board (Vote for two)
Rodney White - 38 (50%)
Rick Moenkhoff - 34 (45%)
Larry Rusk - 4 (5%)