With the resignation of Douglas County Coroner Mark Pearson effective July 1, persons interested in filling that position may file as a candidate for appointment by the governor.
County Clerk Karry Davis says anyone wishing to apply for the office of Douglas County Coroner may find an application form online at governor.mo.gov/boards. When this site comes up there is a link to “application for appointment.” Click on that and the form comes up.
Davis said the applicant may then go down to the line that says “Board/Commission Applying for” and write in Douglas County Coroner.
That form may be sent to the governor’s office for consideration.
The local Democratic Party is also accepting applications for the office and will make a recommendation to Gov. Jay Nixon.
Local Democratic chairman Teresa Tost says three applications have been received at this time, but she has received nine phone calls from persons who are interested in the position.
Anyone wishing to receive the recommendation of the Democratic Party may send his/her name and qualifications to Teresa Tost, PO Box 863, Ava, MO 65608; or the application may be placed in an envelope with Tost’s name on it, and left at the County Clerk’s Office.
Tost said applications should be delivered to her by this Friday.
The board will meet Tuesday, July 13 and set a date for a meeting with all candidates, similar to the process used in regard to the County Assessor vacancy.
Qualifications for the office of coroner include: must be 21 years of age, a citizen of the United States, a resident of Missouri for one year and a resident of Douglas County for six months.
Davis said filing is also still open for the Douglas County Assessor position that was left vacant earlier this year.
The Republican Party has officially nominated as its candidate Alicia Miller, who was appointed by the governor to succeed Danny Gray as assessor.
Democrat, Libertarian and Constitution parties may still add candidates to the November ballot, however.
Those who are interested can contact either the local Democratic, Libertarian or Constitution party and ask to be nominated to be on the November ballot.
Those nominations must be filed by July 23.
It is also possible to file as an independent candidate for the office.
Those filing as an independent candidate must complete a petition with the signatures of at least 2 percent of the registered voters in Douglas County.
Those filing by petition to be on the ballot as an independent candidate must file by July 26.
More information is available in the Douglas County clerk’s office.
