LOCAL ANGLES: TUESDAY'S ELECTION A BENCHMARK VOTE FOR CITY

Tuesday's election was an historic vote. Of course the headline grabber was the statewide ballot measure allowing games of chance on Missouri riverboat casinos.

In one of the closest votes in the state's history, the gambling issue failed. Regardless of your position on gambling -- I'll risk the wrath of many friends and admit I voted against the measure -- voters, gambling companies and state and local officials now face an interesting and, from the perspective of a member of the media, exciting quandary. I never would have dreamed voters would reject the issue, but the vote is illustrative of what happens in Missouri when political dissension surrounds an issue.

In this state, strife begets distrust and suspicion among voters, who Tuesday sent a clear message to state officials that they need to get their ducks in a row before jumping on the gambling bandwagon.

Tuesday's election also yielded noteworthy results locally. Cape Girardeau has its first black city councilman, James "J.J." Williamson. He's a solid candidate who, I believe, will contribute much to city government. After the election, Williamson downplayed the significance of being the city's first black councilman, saying he believed voters were more interested in his views than the color of his skin. Still, he hoped his election would inspire "young black people to do the same thing." Undoubtedly, it will.

It also was the city's first election by ward. Williamson's district, Ward 1, featured an extremely close race, with only 17 votes separating the winner and loser. Candidates also were in a horse race in Wards 2 and 6, where Tom Neumeyer and Butch Eggimann joined Williamson as the city's first councilmen elected by ward. It will be interesting to see how the council operates under the ward system.

The election marks the departure from the council of three members who, due to the implementation of the ward system, were unable to seek re-election. Mary Wulfers and Doug Richards closed out single, four-year terms on the council. Wulfers was a hard-working and honest official, who researched city issues thoroughly. Richards typically sat quietly among the seven-member council. When he did speak it often was on behalf of residents who believe they have too long been ignored by the city. Richards was an effective advocate for many of them.

David Limbaugh and Mayor Gene Rhodes also ended eight years on the council. It's fitting that both step down at the same time. Often finding themselves on opposite sides of city issues, the two also embroiled themselves in debates over council procedures and city policies. Rhodes was a consistent critic and Limbaugh a staunch defender of the city administration, but, unlike confrontations between Rhodes and other past council members, the clashes between Rhodes and Limbaugh, if not cordial, remained civil. Limbaugh was part of the "vilified four" -- along with Councilmen Al Spradling III, Wulfers, and Dr. Melvin Kasten -- who often voted as a block on controversial issues. Although he was the occasional target of Speakout-caller barbs, Limbaugh unfailingly pursued the city's best interests above those of a vocal minority. His contributions will be missed.

On Tuesday, voters elected Spradling to succeed Rhodes. Most notable in the mayor's race was the positive tenor of the campaign between Spradling and Councilman Melvin Gateley, who has two years remaining in his council term. It's apparent both are ready to put the campaign behind them, tapping their shared eight years of experience in city government to help initiate the new council members.

How efficiently this new council under Spradling's leadership will conduct city business remains to be seen. Regardless, the spring `94 vote likely will be remembered as a benchmark election for Cape Girardeau.