CAIRO RE-ELECTS WILSON TO SECOND TERM AS MAYOR

CAIRO, Ill. -- James Wilson is looking forward to his second term as mayor of the southernmost city in Illinois.

Wilson, who was first elected Cairo mayor four years ago, received 949 votes in Tuesday's municipal election to defeat city councilman and challenger Cordell McGoy.

McGoy, a Cairo native and a longtime member of the Cairo City Council, received 450 votes.

Wilson wasn't available for comment Tuesday night, but said earlier he was running on his record.

"Over the past four years, we have worked very hard to make the city government a partner with the community," Wilson said. "People are working together and that is making a difference. We want to see this continue."

Wilson said the city had made many accomplishments and more improvements are in progress.

Wilson said he and the council accomplished several things during his first administration, including a reduction in the crime rate, a new boat ramp on the Ohio River, computerization of city offices, more lighting for the city, and a number of grants for other improvements.

In the only other contested races in Cairo, Steven R. Wiesenmayer defeated Thomas F. Burris, 855 to 426 in the vote for an at-large council member; Earl E. Wade defeated Barbara Hollis, 101 to 83, in Ward 3 and Carolyn Pointing won over William Miller, 237 to 30, in Ward 5. Three other council members were elected with no opposition, Elbert "Bo" Purchase in Ward 1, Bobby Whitaker in Ward 2 and Nancy Wright in Ward 4.

In the only other contested race in Alexander County, Carl Hileman led the six-person ballot for one of three positions for Tamms trustees. Other winners were Shapley Hunter with 106 votes and Dennis Long with 98. Other candidates and their vote totals were Van H. Dillow, 67; Larry Steve Essex, 97; and Darold K. Dunning, 74.

Winners at East Cape Girardeau and Thebes had no opposition.

David W. Pearce, William "Witz" Collier and James R. "Gus" Lingle were elected as East Cape Girardeau trustees; Bobby Shafer was elected as Thebes mayor; Clifford Adams, Michael Dodd and Terry Shafer were elected to four-year terms as Thebes trustees and Blanch Prater was elected to a two-year term as Thebes trustee.