Cape Girardeau Mayor: Harry E. Rediger

Name: Harry E. Rediger

Date of Birth: 76

Place of Birth: Seward, Nebraska

Spouse, children's names:

Spouse: Fran

Children: Cindy Probst, Kathy Sedlacek, Dr. Doug Rediger, Michelle Burris

Plus 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren

Occupation: Retired

Employer: 38-year career with J.C. Penney

Business owned, all or part: None

Previous offices held or sought: Cape Girardeau School Board

What is the biggest issue facing Cape Girardeau now, and what can be done about it?

The next three questions really highlight our big issues over the next 4 years. I would bring forth,in addition, the opportunity within our city to improve our neighborhoods, our housing stock, and fill vacant commercial properties. We have made significant progress in the past few years with our Landlord/Tenant ordinance, nuisance abatement enhancements and an aggressive property condemnation effort. I am looking forward to continued progress in this area.

One of the biggest challenges involving government operations in Cape Girardeau its outdated police station. How should the city adress this need, and how would you propose to pay for it?

Our Police Headquarters are woefully outdated and undersized. Staff and Council will be working this year to determine location, size, and funding stream. It is my thought currently that this funding stream will come from a combination of different entities which are undermined at this point. However I am confident we will find a solution without bringing forth any new tax proposal to the citizens.

What can the city do to help bring more jobs to the area?

We are making good progress in this area but job creation is always most important for the continued health and growth of our city. We made a big step forward with the purchase of our new Business Park at the LaSalle interchange. We also fund a large portion of our regional economic development effort through Magnet. We've also been very progressive in assuring proper infrastructure is available and in place for new and expanding businesses.

The city faces several sunsetting taxes in the next few years. Do you feel they should be extended, and do you see opportunities for tax reductions in some areas in the future?

Our current Fire, Transportation Trust Fund, and Parks/Storm water taxes will all sunset in 2014, 2015, and 2018 respectively. They all have been tremendously successful and have added great value to our citizens and visitors quality of life. We still have great needs in all these areas and I trust our citizens will support the next phases of these opportunities. We will have specific plans and projects to support each effort.