WARD 5 VACANCY SHAPING UP

A lack of candidates could mean a seat on the Cape Girardeau City Council remains vacant indefinitely. So far no one has filed for an open seat in Ward 5, and the filing period ends today at 5 p.m. At least one candidate has filed for each of the seats in wards 3 and 4, so an election can be held in April. But if no one files for Ward 5 there could be a vacancy on the City Council, said City Attorney Eric Cunningham. City officials said they couldn't remember a time when no candidates filed for office, but the problem might have existed before the city's ward system. If the vacancy should exist after the filing closes, the council can call for a special election to fill the seat, Cunningham said.

People interested in running for City Council must return a nominating petition with signatures of at least 50 registered voters in their ward. Council members serve four-year terms. Dr. Melvin Kasten and Melvin Gateley, who represent wards 4 and 5 respectively, are ineligible for re-election because of term limits. Term limits were approved by voters in 1996.

Both Kasten and Gateley have served two consecutive terms on the council and are the first council members to have term limitations imposed.

City Councilman Jay Purcell, who represents Ward 3, was the first person to file for office. Ken Lipps filed for the seat in Ward 4.

Eight men picked up nominating petitions for the council. Two decided not to file for office: Jeff Glenn in Ward 5 and Jon L. Holman in Ward 3.

Other people who picked up petitions: Ray Primonato and B. Hugh White, both in Ward 4; and Lawrence Godfrey and Matthew Hopkins, both in Ward 5.