The four campaign signs for the Advance mayoral race appear in Umfleet Park earlier this season, before the candidates took them up. Since the Nov. 3, 2009 election was found to be illegal, each of the candidates will have to refile by Jan. 19, 2009. The first day for filing is Dec. 15, 2009.

Because of a mix up between the County Clerk's office and the Dexter Statesman, the Nov. 3 Election ballot did not get cancelled for the Oct. 21 issue of the North Stoddard Countian. The ballot ran on page 5 of the NSC and will undoubtedly cause confusion.

As was explained in a previous story (which should still be on our website), the special Nov. 3 Mayoral election in Advance has been cancelled. It was discovered that, without anyone's knowledge, the Missouri statute relevant to municipal elections had changed several years ago. The statute now reads that cities are to have their elections only in April. Thus, the Advance election was illegal.

As a result, the Advance Board of Aldermen will appoint an interim mayor to fill the office until April 6, 2010, when Advance voters will choose another mayor from a possible four candidates.

These four candidates will need to refile in time for the April 6 election. They are 1) Carl (Pete) Ritter 2) Clifton Wagoner 3) Tom Schmidt 4) Charles Woodard.

The NSC apologizes for the confusion.