CAIRO VOTERS TO PICK MAYORAL CANDIDATES

CAIRO -- Cairo voters will narrow a mayoral candidate list to two here Tuesday as Illinois voters go to polls.

Included on the mayoral list are incumbent Mayor James Wilson, city council member Cordell McGoy, city policeman Phillip Matthews and business woman Loretta Burns.

Two of the four candidates will emerge to face each other during the April 4 general election.

In the only other contested race Tuesday, four candidates will vie for two positions in the Third Ward. They are Earl E. Wade, Daniel James Brown Sr., Barbara Hollis and Timothy L. Mean.

Wilson, who was elected four years ago, said he is running primarily on his record of the past four year.s

"Over the past 3 1/2 years, 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 said the city had made many accomplishments and more improvements are in progress, citing: a reduction in the crime rate, a new boat ramp on the Ohio River, many new signs and lighting in the city, a billboard telling the city's historic points, and assistance to the Custom House Committee for a $190,000 grant and assisting the Community Health Center in obtaining a $600,000 grant. The city has also received other grants for various improvements.

City offices have been computerized, Wilson said, and the city has taken over the trash pickup service.

Matthews, a lifelong Cairo resident, acknowledges Wilson has been a good mayor.

"I have nothing against Wilson," Matthews said. "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.

The city is progressing and "we're starting to turn a negative attitude into a positive one," he said. "Now we need to get some jobs in here for younger people so they won't have to leave town when they graduate."

Matthews said he would talk with the Tyson Co. within the next few days.

"I want to tell them that we're making things safer in Cairo, that things have improved," he said.

McGoy, also a Cairo native and a longtime member of the Cairo City Council, is working with the Southernmost Development Committee to help attract a Tyson Chicken processing plant to the Cairo area.

McGoy, who works at the Vienna Correctional Center, was first elected to the council in 1987. He said he has some "areas of priority" for the community, with his No. 1 concern the development of employment opportunities, public and community safety and the budget deficit.

"Some of my programs will include employment with the super-max prison and work camp at Tamms, incentives to attract Tyson Chicken Industry here, a 10- to 15-bed hospital or trauma center and a combination rest area and welcome stations at the Interstate 57 one-mile marker," McGoy said.

McGoy said if elected he will strive to ensure these issues and developments in the community.

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," he 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."

Primary Ballot

Mayor (Two of the four candidates will emerge to face each other during the April 4 general election.)

Loretta Burns

Phillip L. Matthews

Cordell McCoy

James Wilson

Council member at large

Steve R. Wiesenmayer

Thomas F. Burris Jr.

First Ward

Elbert "Bo" Purchase

Second Ward

Bobby Whitaker

Third Ward

Earl E. Wade

Daniel James Brown Sr.

Barbara Hollis

Timothy L. Means.

Fourth Ward

Nancy Wright

Fifth Ward

Carolyn Ponting

William Miller.