ACCORD IS STRESSED BY CANDIDATES

The latest candidates to file petitions for election to the Cape Girardeau City Council both urge cooperation among citizens and local government to benefit the city and generate economic growth.

Melvin Gateley, a retired public school educator and administrator, and Dr. Melvin Kasten, a local physician, Tuesday both stressed the need for better communication and unity in the city.

The candidates will seek the four-year terms of Al Spradling III and Hugh White, who both have said they intend to seek re-election. Spradling and Lawrence Godfrey filed election petitions Nov. 6. The petition filing deadline is Dec. 6.

Gateley, 65, was principal at L.J. Schultz School for 21 years before his retirement in 1986. He also is a past president of the Missouri State Teachers Association.

He now volunteers his time as a member of the Vision 2000 Community Relations Council.

Gateley said Tuesday he wants to continue the city's tradition of good government and foster Cape Girardeau's top resource: its people.

"We are the recipients of many fine services, opportunities and privileges each day," he said. "We have tasted success through dedication, determination and dreaming.

"To preserve what we have built over the past 200 years, and to progress as a people, it seems to me that we must continue to invest in our city and its future."

Gateley said city government should "expedite the adventure" of Cape Girardeau's citizens in their individual pursuits to better their lives.

"This is an exciting time in the life of Cape Girardeau," he said. "We have a bright future. The need for investment is now."

Gateley said such investments take many forms, including the city's efforts at comprehensive, strategic planning that "assure orderly growth and development."

"It would be rewarding to be a team member and assist with the development of short- and long-range goals for our city," he said.

"Cape is a good place to live and work. We must continue to invest in good jobs for our people. Jobs that will keep a competent and qualified workforce in this area."

Gateley also stressed the need for continued infrastructure improvements to "energize" city growth. He said improvements to roads, water, streets, bridges and other public works are particularly important.

As a former educator, Gateley said he would work hard if elected to cultivate a partnership between businesses and education.

"When you invest in education early childhood, primary and secondary, post-secondary education and adult education you can expect productivity and individual growth that benefits the community," he said.

"Jobs, job training, infrastructure, housing, education, and a partnership with the business community are great investments. We can make a genuine contribution to our city's future with our cooperation and teamwork."

Kasten echoed many of Gateley's views, particularly with regard to a need to increase cooperation between business, government and individual citizens.

Kasten, 67, has been a Cape Girardeau surgeon since 1955, and has served on local, state and national medical boards and associations.

Kasten also stressed the city's need for strong fiscal management. "Our resources are limited," he said. "The decisions we make must be prudent and fiscally sound.

"Money alone will not solve problems, make government more compassionate, or guarantee growth and progress. Cooperation, communication, and commitment of our community's leaders can and will make the difference."

Kasten, who was born in Jackson, said his motive for seeking a term on the council is to give back to the city for providing a "good life" for him and his family.

"I have been extremely glad I made Cape my home and have raised my family here," he said. "I believe in this wonderful city and I want to work to make it even better."

Kasten vowed that, if elected, he would dedicate himself to study city issues with an open mind. He also stressed his diverse background with business, agricultural and medical interests.

"Listening is learning and I intend to do a lot of listening," he said. "With a family background in business, agriculture and medical interests, this has given me a diverse background to make reasonable judgments."

Kasten said that he would work to encourage growth in job opportunities and improve the environment to encourage new businesses and expansion of existing ones.

"It is my conviction that we live in a city and area that continues to work toward its fullest potential," he said. "I want to be a part of that.

"We can accomplish a great deal with cooperative effort through national, state, county, and local government entities for the betterment of all."

Kasten and his wife, Missouri Rep. Mary Kasten, live at 1209 Sailer Circle. They have three children: Dr. Mark C. Kasten, Mike Kasten and Margaret Kasten.

Kasten is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Pittsburgh, where he received his doctorate of medicine.

He is a member of the American Medical Association and since 1977 has served as alternate Missouri delegate to the organization. From 1982-1986 he also was chairman of the Missouri delegation of the association.

He has served in many other capacities in the medical field, including: current chairman of council for the Missouri State Medical Association, for which he has served as 10th District councilman since 1983; and a member and past president of the Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts.

He also was a member of the Southeast Missouri Hospital Board of Trustees from 1978-1988.

Kasten is a veteran of World War II, where he served in the Air Force as a bombardier and navigator from 1942-1945.

Other civic activities include the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; charter member of the St. Andrew Lutheran Church; and past Little League coach.

Gateley was born and reared at Oran. He earned a bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State University in 1950 and a master's degree in school administration in 1956 from George Peabody College in Nashville, Tenn.

He later earned a specialist in education degree from Southeast in 1977.

Gateley taught at the Oran and Sikeston high schools before working as the elementary and junior high school principal at Sikeston from 1955-1958.

He was assistant principal at Central Junior High in Cape Girardeau for five years before he was named in 1965 as L.J. Schultz Middle School's first principal.

He is a member and past president of the Missouri State Teachers Association; past president of the Cape Girardeau Community Teachers Association; past president of the Department of Elementary School Principals in Missouri's Southeast District; and former chairman of the Missouri Department of Elementary School Principals Nominating Committee.

He also has served on committees for the Missouri Easter Seal Society for Crippled Children and Adults and Boy Scout Troop 10 in Cape Girardeau.

Gateley is a deacon at the First Baptist Church and a member and past president of the Breakfast Optimist Club. He also serves on the Vision 2000 Community Relations Council and the city's Bicentennial Commission.

He is a member of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and serves on the chamber's beautification and education committees.