CAIRO'S MAYOR RACE WILL INCLUDE PRIMARY

CAIRO, Ill. -- Cairo city council member Cordell McGoy and law enforcement officer Phillip Matthews have announced intentions to challenge incumbent mayor James Wilson next spring.

Wilson announced earlier he will seek re-election for another four-year term.

The general election will be April 4. A primary election will be held Feb. 28 to narrow the list to two. A total of five petitions have been picked up, but two of the candidates have declared their candidacy.

Petitions must filed the second week in December.

"I look forward to the campaign and election," Wilson said, in making his official announcement recently. "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."

In making his announcement Wilson added the city had made many accomplishments and more improvements are in progress.

"People are working together and that is making a difference," he said.

Wilson points to a number of improvements during the past 3 1/2 years, including a new boat ramp on the Ohio River, many new signs and lighting in the city, a billboard citing 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.

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

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

"I have nothing against Wilson," Matthews said Friday. "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," Matthews 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 joined the U.S. Navy when he graduated from high school.

"I made myself a promise then that if I could ever do something to improve the job situation, I would. I think I can help as mayor."

Matthews said he would be talking 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 (SIDC) to help attract the Tyson Chicken 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.

"I like James Wilson," McGoy said. "We graduated from high school together and we're friends. But, my concern is that some things are not getting done. I think I can get them done."