17 candidates appear at Cairo forum

CAIRO, Ill. -- The theme of the evening Thursday for challengers seeking Cairo City Council seats was harmony.

At a candidate forum sponsored by Concerned Citizens for the Recovery of Cairo, 17 of the 33 candidates on Tuesday's primary ballot appeared to give their thoughts about their town. Only one current officeholder -- Mayor Paul Farris -- took part in the event. Of the six current council members, five are seeking either re-election or another office and they did not attend.

Most of the candidates, to one degree or another, criticized the current officeholders and the constant fighting that has characterized Farris' four-year tenure. Farris, the first to speak, said he took over a city hall "in shambles."

There were missing records, improperly kept records and a city government secure in its privileges, Farris said. "It has been a hard four years, but it has been worthwhile and fruitful," he said.

Farris faces nine challengers in Tuesday's primary. The top two finishers will compete for mayor in the April 17 general election.

Four challengers -- Lonnie Burris, Karl Klein, Joe Griggs and Nancy Phillipper -- followed Farris to the podium. They each emphasized the need for a revitalized economy and stressed they would find a way to work with whoever won seats on the city council.

For Burris, the town's tourism potential is the starting point for economic growth. He opposes a coal-gasification plant being touted for the area north of town. "It would just kill us for tourism."

But for Klein, Cairo can't be choosy about anything that will kick-start the economy. "We need that plant bad," he said. "It smells like money to me."

Joe Griggs, president of the Cairo School Board, promoted his six years with the school district as evidence that he has the ability to lead the city. A district on the verge of bankruptcy is now operating in the black and students met their goals under state education standards for the first time, he said.

The first step, Griggs said, is a thorough review of city finances and assets. "You have to know what you have to work with before you start working."

Phillipper, a former city clerk fired by Farris, said she would start small with economic development in an effort to lift the town.

In the contest for the other office elected citywide, the at-large council seat, five candidates are competing and two took part. The two that spoke, R.D. Foxworthy and James "Bob" Conroy, promised to work with whoever else wins to better the town. Foxworthy, who moved to the town recently, said the city needs strong leadership to rescue its finances. "I don't know how far Cairo is from receivership, but it ain't very far."

Conroy, a former coach at the high school, said he believes the entire city government will change in the elections. "We are going to have more of a prayer meeting than a battlefield in this next council."

rkeller@semissourian.com

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