4 FILE FOR CAIRO MAYOR; 2 OTHERS MAY

CAIRO, Ill. -- Four candidates have filed petitions for the Cairo mayor post, and the list could grow to six by the Monday filing deadline.

Candidates filing by noon Friday were Philip Matthews, Cordell McGoy, Loretta Burns and Joyce Phelps.

Mayor James Wilson hasn't filed yet but intends to seek a second term. A sixth petition has been picked up at the city clerk's office.

A primary election will be held Feb. 28, to thin the candidate list to two for the April 4 municipal election.

Incumbents have filed for re-election in four of the six council ward positions.

The candidates include:

Ward I: Incumbent Elbert "Bo" Purchase.

Ward II: Incumbent Bobby Whitaker.

Ward III: Three have filed for the council seat. Earl Wade, Barbara Hollis and Daniel Brown Sr. have filed as candidates. A fourth petition was picked up by Timothy Means.

McGoy, the incumbent, has filed for mayor, opening up the position.

Ward IV: Incumbent Nancy Wright, who was elected earlier this year to fill an unexpired vacancy, has filed for re-election.

Ward V: Incumbent Carolyn Ponting has filed for re-election. Two more potential candidates have petitions.

At-Large: Kirk Snelson has filed as an at-large candidate. Three other petitions have been picked up.

Meanwhile, mayoral candidates cite employment and community safety as primary concerns.

McGoy, a longtime council member from Ward III, said he had some "areas of priority" for the community, with the development of employment opportunities, public and community safety and the budget deficit the most important.

McGoy cited working to get a 10- to 15-bed hospital with qualified and experienced staff. He also is working with Southernmost Development Committee (SIDC) to help attract the Tyson Chicken plant to Cairo.

"I have nothing against Mayor Wilson," Matthews said when he announced his candidacy. "But, it's time for younger people to step up and be counted. The city can always use people with fresh minds."

Matthews, 26, is employed by the Cairo Police Department, and is currently assigned to the Federal Public Housing Drug Task Force.

Loretta Burns announced her candidacy for mayor last week.

Burns, of Cairo Carpet Co., is a lifelong resident of Cairo and said she shares people's concerns about the present direction the city is going.

"I want to bring the city council and the community together," she said. "I believe that our streets should be safe for children and the elderly. I also believe in working with business leaders to aid in locating industry to the city."

Felts, a native of Kentucky, has lived in Cairo 25 years and is working in retail sales.

She says has concerns for better health facilities, and attracting new industries and businesses to Cairo.

Wilson, who was elected mayor 3 1/2 years ago, said he is looking forward to the campaign and election.

"We in city government have worked very hard to make the city government a partner with the community," he said.

"People are working together and that is making a difference." Wilson added the city had made many accomplishments and more improvements are in progress.