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 Harry Rediger |
With more than 50 supporters nearby, including many prominent business leaders, Rediger said he's ready for a challenge after years of involvement in city and civic causes. He spoke of his time in business and volunteering in leadership roles for the United Way, the Red Cross, the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce and the city Planning and Zoning Commission, among others. He said he feels he left a "footprint" on each.
"I decided I want to make one more footprint here in Cape Girardeau," Rediger said.
Rediger joins former councilman Matt Hopkins and businessman Walter White in the contest. With all three filed -- and at least one more candidate holding nominating petitions who may file -- the city will hold a primary election Feb. 2 to select candidates for an April 6 general election.
Outgoing Mayor Jay Knudtson must give up the post because of term limits. There will also be elections in Wards 1, 2 and 6 next year. To run, a candidate must file petitions with signatures from 50 registered voters by 5 p.m. today.
On Monday, tax accountant Teresa Robinson filed against incumbent Ward 1 Councilman John Voss. Three candidates, medical technician Don Howard, advertising saleswoman Meg Davis and Stafford Moore, have filed for the open Ward 2. Two more candidates hold nominating petitions. Only one candidate, businesswoman Kathy Swan, has filed for the open Ward 6.
Rediger has considered, but backed away from, running for other offices, most recently state representative. Asked why he wants to be mayor, Rediger said he must step down soon from the city Planning and Zoning Commission. "I am going to be done, and I don't want to be done," he said.
Rediger is chairman of the commission's transportation subcommittee, which is drafting plans for a tax election for roads in August 2010. He said he wants to see the tax pass as well as work on other issues, including downtown revitalization and the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant.
Rediger was introduced by longtime friend Dennis Marchi, manager of Schnucks. Cape Girardeau is stable and strong, Marchi said, and he believes Rediger will provide continued strong leadership.
"He gets very involved in the city because he loves it so much," Marchi said.
388-3642
Pertinent addresses:
401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO
West Park Mall, Cape Girardeau, MO
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please 
I don't live in Cape but I can say Harry and his wife were great people to do work for when he built his home.
He treated my men with respect and listened to our ideas before making any decisions. The decisions always included the needs of the other contractors that would be doing future work so everything fell into place. There are very few customers that I could say the same about.
I have to wonder if this is just another member of the infamous Cape Girardeau old boys network?
A older retired person (70's?) with time on his hands and little knowledge of the younger population of this community. It's John McCain all over again.
I agree he is not in touch with the younger generation and runs with the business upperclass elite in this community. He is not the middle america type of leader. Stay retired Harry!
Rediger is known to be an effective, proactive manager. Cape needs excellent leadership and will be a great mayor.
Tech_Dude & Class Act, what is wrong with you people! Get over it!
Look at the person, and in this case, the person has such a tremendous wealth of experience and is such a decent man on top of it all, that WE ALL will benefit if he becomes our mayor. Thank you, Harry, for throwing your hat into the ring.
And, for you guys who continue to have a chip on your shoulder with regard to who is running with the elite and who isn't, get over that too! Do you even know him, who he associates with, who he helps, who he serves? I doubt it because if you did, you would see that this man works for everyone, and he's just the perfect person for the job!
I have known Harry & Fran and their family for many years. Do not be deceived in thinking that someone in his 60s or 70s is out of touch with young people in the community. In their case, the exact opposite is true. I believe Harry will represent the interests of all people of the community quiet well. In particular, Harry has always had a keen interest in helping improve the quality of life for young people in the community. He is young for his age.
wealth of experience does not equal common sense.
Just look at the current experienced banker mayor who let the Premier aircraft fiasco slide until it came out that they had not been paying rent for over 18 months. I have said it time and time before, go get a loan from his bank and stop making payments and see how long you will be able to have this experienced man let it slide. I would think on the first day over due you will be getting a letter and soon after that you will find your property or what ever you put up for collateral siezed. Since I don't choose to bank at this place, please someone go get a loan with this bank and prove me wrong with your results.
gman, is this at all RELEVANT to the article we're commenting on? I'm not aware of what you're referring to,but if that is what happened at the bank, then so be it. It happened or it didn't, but your complaining about it in this forum has nothing to do with Harry Rediger running for mayor.
I see that the first thing that the good Mr Rediger wants to do is have a tax increase for roads! Typical "tax and spend" politician! Come down off your Ivory Tower Harry and live with the rest of us!
How much longer can the general population stand for ever increasing city taxation to pay for every new project.
I'd personally support a person who would agree to cut taxes by 0.5%. That might boost vehicle sales, encourage out of towners and put a few pennies back into Joe Public's pocket.
Surely the so called conservative people of cape will not elect Mr Rediger. He clearly states he has a higher sales tax agenda for our city. Why doesn't he mention cutting back on city services or making the city run more efficiently with less money. He just wants to tax us MORE.
What other tax increases does he have in mind?
Soon our sales tax rate will approach 9%. We can't afford you Mr. Rediger!!!!
Tech_Dude and teximich... just to clarify, the sales tax Rediger supports is a renewal of an existing tax of one-half percent that has been in effect since 1995 and is submitted to voters every five years. Rediger has not announced support for any additional taxes.
Hey, you have a choice? Elect Walter mayor. That would be fun.
if so many of you are concerned, then why not file? you have till 5pm today according to the missourian.
Rudi,
Your article certainly gave the impression that Mr. Rediger plans to seek new taxes. You need to put your clarification in a second article. The majority of people don't read these comments and your article would certainly negatively impact his chances of being elected.
Sounds like a great candidate, except for the following statement:
"I decided I want to make one more footprint here in Cape Girardeau," Rediger said.
I don't think the dissenters know him. He is a good decent man and is and will be an asset to Cape. BTW he isn't part of the good Ol' boy network.
There seems to be wealth envy involved in the discussion. The guy is retired from JC Penney's. He might have a good retirement but so do most Proctor and Gamble workers.
Absolutely Ike!!!! I read it too
I was hoping someone else caught that statement.
Yep that rules this self centered older man out completely. Gee if he wins maybe he will get his portrait on the river wall! I bet he would love that. No folks he is the machines choice for mayor and the machine in Cape Girardeau has been broken a long time now. This elderly gentleman needs to just retire into the mainstream of retired folks! JMO
as for getting a tax passed for a new water treatment plant, i do not think that is an option. pretty sure we are getting one due to federal regulations.
as I said before...so many complainers but only 3 people run for mayor? where is your name on the list?
If he isn't for reinstating the Blue Law, and returning Cape to a smaller, crime-free, "trash" free, neighbourly community...then he doesn't have my vote.
Mr. Rediger is a good and honest man that i have known personally for the last almost 20 years (ouch). he and my father worked together at JCPenney's and he's one of the best men that i know. i'd have to say, you've got my vote Mr. Rediger! as i'm sure along with every person that ever had the pleasure to work along side you!
More impartial reporting by the Missourian. Here is a great guy, community leader, retired blah blah blah blah, (and he may well be). Then the bit about oh yeah, two other guys are running as well.
There was just as big of a story when he picked up his petition with the same one liner about two other guys running. I guess we know who the Missourian is backing, and I suspect it is the two other guys that aren't in the "Old boy Network".
I've known Mr. Rediger, although not extremely well, for over 10 years. He has always demonstrated a sincere love for this community and a concern for contributing positively to it. As for his age? Well, from what I've seen of him, Mr. Rediger is more in touch with everyone, regardless of age, than many younger people I know. If I still lived in Cape, he would definitely get my vote. I don't think you can find a person more sincerely dedicated to being a positive force to and helping others than Harry Rediger!
ego - you still have 2 hours to file...
tech dude---You need look no further than the white house to see what happens when you put inexperienced people in public office. Mr. Rediger is a very honorable gentleman and has my vote
I have known and worked with Harry Rediger for many years and think he would be a great mayor.
10 minutes left to file big mouths.
Harry Rediger, Mr. Mayor, you make a fine leader in our town!
Houray!
I was at their house last week on Sunday and we were discussing this. I am very excited!
Good luck Harry! You and Fran are fantastic people!
For what it's worth, those that say Harry is out of touch with the younger business community.
I am 25, I own three businesses in Cape, and Harry has been an invaluable resource in helping me learn how to run a proper business. The education I have learned from him and several other members in the so called "old guy" group has allowed me to run successful businesses here locally.
I have known Mr. Rediger for the better part of 30 years, going to school with two of his children and coaching another. Even though I do not live in Cape any longer, he would have my support if I did, because of his integrity and honesty. In response to an earlier post; You say he is inexperienced, are the other two candidates loaded with experience? Cape residents, Mr. Rediger is the best choice.
Yeah it looks like the SE Missourian has chosen it's Mayoral pick. I haven't seen such a glowing article about either of the other candidates.
What is this guy's association with the Planning and Zoning Dept? Cape's overal design it a debacle. The "Central" high school is several miles south of the city. The main shopping areas are better placed for freeway commuters than residents. The downtown has been left to die, and we have run down centralized mall areas with 1000's of square feet of empty space. The only stores thriving on the main routes are the loan sharks. Everywhere you go there's a billboard sign or flashing LED display.
God Help Us.
If he isn't for reinstating the Blue Law, and returning Cape to a smaller, crime-free, "trash" free, neighbourly community...then he doesn't have my vote.
-- Posted by Egotistical_Bigot on Tue, Nov 17, 2009, at 11:15 AM
What specific Blue laws do you speak of?
And what candidates are for more trash.
Yeah it looks like the SE Missourian has chosen it's Mayoral pick. I haven't seen such a glowing article about either of the other candidates.
What is this guy's association with the Planning and Zoning Dept? Cape's overal design it a debacle. The "Central" high school is several miles south of the city. The main shopping areas are better placed for freeway commuters than residents. The downtown has been left to die, and we have run down centralized mall areas with 1000's of square feet of empty space. The only stores thriving on the main routes are the loan sharks. Everywhere you go there's a billboard sign or flashing LED display.
God Help Us.
-- Posted by Tech_Dude on Wed, Nov 18, 2009, at 8:17 AM
A debacle? Really?
What, the High School is no longer in cape? Its Several miles South of the City. So the school is in Sikeston. Your right, that doesn't make sense.
Shops are better for free way commuters. I agree. How dare they build successful retail districts that draw outside income. Lets tear down that area immediately
Don't read the blogs, Harry. Do your own thing, and run the city cause you can do it.....
I guess this statement does not concern any of you except Ike!
"I decided I want to make one more footprint here in Cape Girardeau," Rediger said.
He lost my vote the minute I read this.