The list of candidates for city offices in Cairo, Ill., could be shortened Friday when a panel of officials hears evidence of whether some contenders don't meet the qualifications set out in state law.

When filing closed last month, 10 candidates for mayor and 26 candidates for city council seats had declared their interest and brought petitions bearing at least 16 nominating signatures to city offices. Since then, complaints alleging that four candidates are convicted felons barred from office and one complaint alleging a single forged signature on a petition have been lodged against the candidates, city clerk Erica Wells said Wednesday.

The most prominent candidate subject to a complaint is city councilman Bobbie Whitaker, a constant opponent of incumbent Mayor Paul Farris. Whitaker is seeking Farris' job, and the complaint against Whitaker alleges that a name appears on his petition that was not signed by the actual person.

Delivered to city hall

Whitaker delivered petitions to city hall with about 60 signatures, almost four times the number needed to run, Wells said. "He still has enough to run, but a registered voter signed an objection to his petition, that she wasn't presented the petition nor did she sign it," Wells said.

In addition, the petition bears Whitaker's signature as the circulator, and includes an avowal that Whitaker personally witnessed each person signing the petition, Wells said.

The challenges will be heard beginning 1 p.m. Friday in the Alexander County Courthouse in Cairo. Objections to the council candidates will be heard by a panel consisting of Farris, Wells and Elbert "Bo" Purchase, the longest-serving councilman. Because Farris is seeking re-election, he is barred from sitting in judgment on Whitaker or the candidate said to be a felon. Wells, Purchase and one other council member -- either Joey Thurston or Linda Jackson -- will judge the qualifications of mayoral candidates.

Because of state law barring felons from office, Wells said the hearings on the candidates believed to be felons will only consider whether the paperwork showing the conviction is correct. The Southeast Missourian is withholding the names of those said to be felons until after Friday's hearing.

The hearing on Whitaker's petition, Wells said, will require testimony and a judgment of whether the entire nominating petition should be thrown out or accepted.

Neither Purchase nor Whitaker had been notified of the planned hearings as of Wednesday. Whitaker said the allegations of a forged signature amounted to a desperation campaign by Farris.

"If the lady's signature is on my petition, she signed it," Whitaker said.

"That isn't going to be enough to get me off the ballot."

Whitaker said he personally gathered every signature "except maybe one or two names" while at a local convenience store in Cairo where he can often be found.

First of its kind

The challenge to candidate qualifications is the first of its kind in Cairo, Purchase said. "We never had this happen before."

Purchase said he, too, believes the complaint against Whitaker is an attempt by Farris to quiet one of his toughest potential re-election opponents. Purchase, also a Farris opponent, has not publicly endorsed any opposition candidate.

As to whether a single questionable signature should disqualify Whitaker, Purchase said, "I doubt it."

"I've been there 24 years and never had to go through this crap," he said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126