PURCELL FIRST TO FILE FOR COUNCIL

Cape Girardeau City Councilman Jay Purcell was the first person Tuesday to file as a candidate for the April 2000 election.

Purcell is filing for re-election in Ward 3. He returned his nominating petition, filled with signatures from voters in his ward, to City Hall, first thing Tuesday morning. He was also the first person to pick up a petition Oct. 4Purcell is seeking a second term on the council. He was elected in 1998 to fill an unexpired term. Jon L. Holman, also a resident of Ward 3, picked up a petition, but he said he isn't seriously considering a bid for office. Seats in Wards 4 and 5 also are up for election, but Purcell will be the only incumbent candidate in the council race. Melvin Gateley and Melvin Kasten are prohibited from running because of term limits. Kasten represents Ward 4; Gateley represents Ward 5. Both were elected to the council in 1992 and again in 1996. Purcell has said the 2000 election will be an interesting one because it is the first election since term limits took effect in Cape Girardeau. He hates the idea of losing the experience Kasten and Gateley have added to the council."They have a wealth of knowledge," he said. "I hate to see them go."Past experience on the council could be an advantage for B. Hugh White. White, who lives at 2069 Steven Dr., picked up a petition for council Monday. He said he is interested in serving on the council but has not made a final decision about filing for office. "I will make a decision well before" the filing deadline, he said. White was first elected to the council in 1988 and served one four-year term. He would join Ray Primonato and Ken Lipps as candidates for Ward 4. Both Primonato and Lipps have been gathering signatures on their petitions for office.

If all three men file for election, a primary would be necessary. It would be held in February to narrow the list of candidates to two.

White now serves as a member of the city's Planning and Zoning Commission. He was appointed to that seat in September. He has worked at Supervalu Inc. in Scott City for 26 years. He is a past member of the Cape West Rotary Club, having attended meetings for 14 years with perfect attendance. He is also a past member of the Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of Cape Girardeau Executive Club and of First Christian Church.

Lawrence Godfrey and Jeff Glenn, both of whom live in Ward 5, have also picked up petitions for election.