Editorial

CITY WARDS: GOOD TIME TO MAKE ASSESSMENT

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Just as the Missouri General Assembly has to contend with redistricting, thanks to the 2000 census, city and county governments face the same chore prior to the next elections.

For Cape Girardeau, that means the city's six wards must be adjusted before next April's municipal elections.

In addition to the question of ward boundaries, wouldn't this be a good time to assess the value of having wards? The ward system has been in place since 1994. Has representation on the city council improved as a result? Are the wards doing what supporters thought they would?

It seems like an official assessment would be timely as the redistricting process looms.