LEAGUE FORUM

By Bob Miller ~ Southeast Missourian

As the five Cape Girardeau City Council candidates answered various questions at a public forum Tuesday night, there seemed to be agreement on most of the topics.

Better communication is needed, they said.

More public awareness, more citizen input on issues and better availability by the council members are needed. There's a need for this and an urgency for that. Voting is important.

But when there was a difference of opinion, it was usually Ward 1 incumbent Frank Stoffregen who stood on his own.

Stoffregen, a Realtor, is running against downtown businesswoman Evelyn Boardman in the April 2 election.

When the issue of increased tourism came up at the forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the mass communications and political science departments at Southeast Missouri State University, the first three candidates talked about how important tourism is to city progress.

While the other candidates talked about taking advantage of the city's resources, like the downtown area and the riverfront, Stoffregen had a different idea.

"When you talk about tourism, you're talking about people going from Point A to Point B to spend money," he said. "You can talk about the river and the history ... and we care about the history and it's dear to my heart. But people in Iowa don't care about a battle that was here in the 1800s."

Stoffregen said big tourism dollars are spent when large organizations like the Harley Owners Group visit. He said the Harley-Davidson riders brought tens of thousands of dollars to Cape Girardeau, and more events like that rally need to take place in the city.

Boardman, Stoffregen's opponent, placed a heavy emphasis on the upgrade of equipment in the city's police and fire departments. Boardman, Stoffregen and Charles Herbst -- a former police officer who is running unopposed for the Ward 2 seat -- all touched on the need for better equipment for those who protect the city.

Cape Girardeau is facing a tight budget. Several departments have long wish lists, and residents may be asked to fund them with increased taxes or fees.

"Technically, we're operating in the 1970s with our fire department," said Boardman, referring to outdated equipment and a lack of growth in the number of personnel. "My immediate concerns will be basic city services."

A sparse audience

Marcia Ritter and Walter Wildman, running for Ward 6, didn't offer too many specific solutions while answering questions submitted by the sparse audience.

Ritter, who retired from a career in health care management three years ago to begin volunteer medical mission work with her husband, Dr. C. John Ritter, talked about networking with other communities to gather ideas to be used in Cape Girardeau.

"They're willing to share if you ask," she said.

Wildman focused on his experiencing in working with government on all levels: city, state and federal.

Wildman, a native of Piedmont, Mo., also was a city councilman in Van Buren, Mo. He is served on the Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

Mayoral candidates Jay Knudtson and Melvin Gateley rehashed much of the things that they said at Friday's Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee gathering.

Gateley, focusing on his experience, said he has what it takes to become mayor because he served as mayor pro tem when serving his eight years as a city councilmen. He has dedicated 14 years to city government and wants to do more, he said.

Knudtson, an executive vice president at Bank of America, said his job puts him in the jet stream of the community. He said his job and his position of chairman on the Parks and Recreation Board have given him the necessary leadership and negotiating qualities to serve the city well.

The forum will broadcast on Channel 5 in Cape Girardeau, but the time and date haven't been set.

bmiller@semissourian.com

335-661, extension 127