Cape candidate withdraws from city council race

Ellen Dillon withdrew as a Cape Girardeau City Council candidate Thursday, eliminating the need for a primary for the Ward 3 seat.

Dillon, who had been working as an instructor at Southeast Missouri State University, was hired Monday as the new area director of the March of Dimes. She said her new job involves a lot of traveling throughout Southeast Missouri and would make it difficult for her to devote time to serving on the council.

"It was really a hard decision," said Dillon, who filed for the council seat last month. But she concluded she wouldn't have the time to deal with city business.

The withdrawal of Dillon, the third candidate in the race to fill a vacant seat in the ward in the central part of the city, means voters will decide between candidates Stan Wicks and R. Todd McBride in the April 5 municipal election. Wicks operates a general maintenance company and McBride has a mortgage business.

Previously, a primary would have been required on that date and the general election would have been held in a special election June 7.

Dillon's name was removed from the ballot by court order Thursday as required by law, city clerk Gayle Conrad said.

In addition to the general election in Ward 3, there will be a general election in Ward 4 between two former council members -- Loretta Schneider and J.J. Williamson. The two candidates are running to fill a vacant seat in that northside ward.

Dillon's withdrawal means the two council seats both can be filled in April, Conrad said.

The seven-member council has been reduced to five members since Ward 3 councilman Jay Purcell and Ward 4 councilman Hugh White resigned last year.

Purcell resigned after being elected to the county commission. White resigned earlier in the fall because his business schedule conflicted with council meetings.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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