VOTERS TO CHOOSE THREE COUNCILMEN

Door-to-door chats have been the rule this spring in the Cape Girardeau City Council races as candidates in two wards rely on conversation and campaign cards to win over voters.

Three Cape Girardeau councilmen are seeking re-election Tuesday.

Councilman Jack Rickard is opposed by Jay Purcell in the Ward 3 race, while Councilman Melvin Gateley faces opposition from Lawrence Godfrey in Ward 5. Councilman Melvin Kasten is unopposed for re-election in Ward 4.

In the two contested wards, the candidates have been knocking on doors.

"I am a walker in the neighborhood," said Gateley, who acknowledged that the campaigns are more low key this time than four years ago.

In 1992, Gateley and Kasten were elected to four-year terms under an at-large system. But they will only have to win voter approval in their individual wards to get re-elected.

In November 1992, voters approved a ward system. That has made for lower-cost campaigns, this year's candidates say.

Purcell, for example, plans to spend just a few hundred dollars campaigning.

Godfrey said the ward system makes it practical for candidates to canvass the neighborhood.

This will be Rickard's second ward election; he was elected in a special election two years ago to fill an unexpired term. He is running for his first, full four-year term.

The candidates hold differing views over a series of proposed charter amendments that are on Tuesday's ballot.

Gateley believes all 12 amendments would bring more public accountability to city government.

Godfrey opposes most of the amendments. He dislikes term limits for the council and sees no reason to create an ethics commission.

He doesn't like how the amendments were placed on the ballot.

"I would rather see any charter change go through the initiative process," he said.

Godfrey said an initiative petition would demonstrate public support for changing the city's basic governing document.

Most of the ballot measures were drafted by a citizens committee.

Rickard voted with the rest of the council to put the amendments on the election ballot.

"I was in favor of the amendments, but I would like to see what the people of Cape Girardeau have to say," he said.

Purcell hasn't studied the charter amendments in any detail. He said the important thing is voters get to decide what, if any changes, will be made to the charter.

Gateley describes himself as a councilman who listens to citizens' concerns. He champions public gatherings where the council and citizens can discuss issues and propose solutions.

A retired principal, Gateley devotes a lot of time to civic endeavors. "I just get a big kick out of doing things for people," he said.

Gateley said the city faces a challenge to clean up some of Cape Girardeau's oldest neighborhoods. A new federal courthouse could help, he said.

Godfrey, who ran unsuccessfully for a council seat four years ago, wants to address the city's construction regulations and permits. He said city inspectors often don't apply common sense regarding building codes.

Godfrey was treasurer of a Cape Girardeau lumber company for 17 years. He said that job gave him an understanding of the construction industry.

"I don't think they are doing the building trades a service by imposing regulations on them," he said.

Godfrey said the city's trash-collection system is inefficient.

The city has routinely raised trash fees over the past 10 years, he said. "They are just wasting money. The city has got to run it, but they have to do a better job of it."

Some cities provide trash bins that can be lifted and emptied automatically by trash trucks. Such technology means fewer employees are needed, he said.

Like Gateley, Rickard is proud of the city's efforts to improve streets and sewers.

A landlord and self-employed contractor, Rickard remains concerned about the effect of city regulations on the construction industry.

He said city inspections often hinder those in the construction trades from doing their jobs.

Rickard gives high marks to City Manager Michael Miller. "I am very happy with the city manager and am anxious to see how it works out over a period of time."

Rickard said Miller's employee training programs should improve customer relations and the way in which city employees deal with the public.

Rickard said his business experience is a plus in serving on the council.

Purcell, who is making his first run for public office, said the council needs to do a better job of controlling its expenses.

He wants the city to play a greater role in efforts to revitalize the older parts of the city. The city, he suggested, could seek government funds to revitalize older buildings.

"In our ward, I think we need to have more of a voice on the council," Purcell said.

He said he would be more outspoken than Rickard. "If you are just going to sit up there, you might as well be at home watching TV."

Purcell said he wants to be a "mouthpiece" for Ward 3 residents.

If elected, Purcell wants to hear from constituents. He said he might install a telephone line similar to the Southeast Missourian's Speak Out line.

CONTESTED CITY COUNCIL SEATS

Cape Girardeau voters will select council members in two wards on Tuesday. Incumbent Melvin Kasten is running unopposed in Ward 4.

Ward 3

Jack Rickard

Age: 66

1353 Karren Dr.

Incumbent. Served two-year unexpired term. Seeking election to a full, four-year term.

Occupation: Self-employed contractor.

Married to Ben. Five children.

Jay Purcell

Age: 28

315 N. Pacific

Occupation: Owns 30 apartments in Cape Girardeau and works at Dana Corp.

Married to Kelly. Two children.

Ward 5

Melvin Gateley

Age: 68

1725 Brookwood

Incumbent. Seeking re-election to a second term.

Occupation: Retired Cape Girardeau public school principal

Married to Ella. Two children.

Lawrence Godfrey

Aged: 51

1732 Rampart

Occupation: Warehouse manager for Horizon Screen Printing.

Married to Linda. Two children.