Three candidates face off for Ward 2 primary

Three candidates in Cape Girardeau's Ward 2 want to make it to April's city council election, but only two will.

A primary runoff will be held in the ward Tuesday that will send the top two vote-getters to the April 8 municipal ballot. Voters will decide among Craig David, Rocky Everett and Shelly Moore, all of whom gathered the 50 required certifiable signatures from Ward 2 voters that were needed to become candidates. Ward 2 includes most of downtown and southern parts of the city.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in four Ward 2 locations Tuesday: city hall at 401 Independence St., Christ Church of the Heartland at 720 Bertling St., Shawnee Park Center at 835 S. West End Blvd., and St. Andrew Lutheran Church at 804 N. Cape Rock Drive.

Parts of precincts 4, 6, 8, 9, 12 and 18 are in Ward 2. Only voters who live in the ward can participate in the election. Voters in those precincts who are not sure in which ward they reside can find out by calling the Cape Girardeau County Clerk's office at 243-3547. County Clerk Kara Clark Summers said polls will not close because of inclement weather. A winter storm system is possible in the area Tuesday.

Craig David

David has been a resident of Ward 2 since 2006 and works as a sales representative for ABC Supply Co., a seller of roofing, siding and windows. David also owned his own business. He is married and has an adopted daughter.

Craig David

David said he is running for city council "out of a sense of duty to the community."

He never before ran for office but said he thinks now is the right time because he sees himself in a position to commit to the job of serving on the city council.

"I also think it's a time that the city of Cape Girardeau will continue to enjoy prosperity," he said, adding he finds a proposal to create a new interstate highway between Paducah, Ky., and Cape Girardeau interesting and that there seems to be growing possibilities for business and residential properties in areas of Ward 2 through restoration of buildings.

He also said he is excited about the potential overhaul of William Street. The city recently released several options for a new streetscape for the William Street corridor. Improvement of downtown also would be a focus, he said.

"I think there is a long way to go downtown, but there are advantages," he said. "I think paying close attention to the steps taken to where we've gotten now will be important in the future."

Rocky Everett

Rocky Everett

Everett, CEO of Heartland Spine Institute in Cape Girardeau, is a military combat veteran who moved to town after the service with his wife Laurie Everett, an area native. Everett also owns Annie Laurie's Antiques on Broadway with his wife and Everett Property Management. The Everetts have one son.

Everett studied business management at Southeast Missouri State University. He is running for city council, he told the Southeast Missourian, "because I want to continue to make Cape Girardeau a great place to live and raise a family. Serving the citizens of Cape Girardeau is not about me, but about making this city a better place for future generations."

Everett laid out goals, including revitalizing downtown and the surrounding area, increasing the number of small businesses along the Broadway corridor with the help of business and downtown organizations, and focusing efforts on Sprigg Street after Broadway reaches full occupancy.

Everett said he also would like to see more attention to public safety with a recruitment and retention program for personnel, a change in police salary structure that differs from other city employees, and expanding the police station and its personnel. Everett said he has endorsements in the election from the local police and firefighters associations.

Everett also said he would like to see more efficiency in the city's budget.

Shelly Moore

Moore is a real estate agent in Cape Girardeau. She was reached by the Southeast Missourian this week by phone, and she requested questions her about running for city council be emailed to her. She did not respond to the email by the end of the day Thursday.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO