KNUDTSON MAKES MAYORAL BID OFFICIAL

Banker and park board chairman Jay Knudtson became the first candidate to officially declare his candidacy for mayor Monday, setting up a platform of bolstering the workforce, maintaining high-quality city parks and revitalizing the downtown area.

While Knudtson had said he was "leaning" toward running last year, the 37-year-old made it official before dozens of supporters at Capaha Park Monday.

"I like to believe that I've done more than just serve as a Monday morning quarterback as to this city's business," said Knudtson, who is an executive vice president at Bank of America. "I'm not just showing up one day out of the blue to run for mayor. I've been very involved in a variety of city projects and activities and it has been a very rewarding and gratifying experience."

Knudtson has served the last eight years on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, all but the first as chairman. He ran unsuccessfully for a Ward 6 council seat in April 1994, losing to Richard "Butch" Eggimann 918 to 754.

If elected, Knudtson would replace Mayor Al Spradling III, who is in his final four-year term as mayor.

Aim: Keep young here

Knudtson said that he thinks keeping young people here as well as attracting new residents has been a challenge in Cape Girardeau.

That has created a shortage of labor, he said. He hopes to work toward getting more people to live here, especially high school and college graduates.

"We don't just want to educate our people," he said. "We want to entice them to stay here and begin their own families here after they graduate. But that's going to involve opening up the market for greater job opportunities."

Part of that is continuing the development of the west end of Cape Girardeau as well as downtown. Knudtson's treasurer, Harry Rediger, said that he considered running for mayor. When he decided not to, he was glad that Knudtson was.

"I've known Jay since he came to town," Rediger said. "I also know that he has the wherewithal and energy and dedication to the community needed by a mayor."

Friend R.J. McKinney agreed. "He's loyal to Cape," McKinney said. "He also knows the ins and outs of city government."

The filing period opens Oct. 23 and ends Nov. 20. If more than two candidates file for mayor, a primary will be held Feb. 5. The general election is April 2.