Cape Girardeau's Ward 4 race centers on public safety

The two candidates for the Cape Girardeau City Council Ward 4 seat both have voiced support for public-safety improvements in the community.

Robbie Guard and Patrick Koetting back two tax issues on the April 5 ballot: a proposition to continue the city’s sales tax on out-of-state-vehicle purchases, and a measure to enact a new use tax on other out-of-state purchases.

The winner of the only contested council race on the April ballot will replace longtime councilwoman Loretta Schneider, who is barred from seeking re-election because of term limits.

Koetting has support from within the city’s police and fire departments. The Cape Girardeau Fire Fighters Association and the Cape Girardeau Regional Fraternal Order of Police Missouri Lodge 51 have endorsed him.

Both organizations pointed out Koetting was a founding member of the Friends of Public Safety community group, which was established to voice support for the city’s police and firefighters.

Robbie Guard

Koetting, who works for Major Brands beverage distributing company, said he wants “competitive pay” for police and firefighters to better retain them. He said officers and firefighters often end up leaving for higher-paying, public-safety jobs in other communities.

If elected, Koetting said he would serve as a “voice on the city council” for the needs of the police and fire departments.

“I feel we have a very safe city. I would like to keep it that way,” he said.

Koetting and Guard back the tax issues that would fund the hiring of more police officers and a fire-training officer, as well as help with construction of a new police station.

“Cape Girardeau has had a shortage of police officers going back at least 15 years,” Guard said. “We need to hire more police officers and keep the grant-funded ones we have. To me, that is a no-brainer for public safety.”

Guard said the use tax also would provide money to add a mental-health professional to the police force.

Guard and Koetting said the use tax would apply primarily to businesses. The state and Cape Girardeau County governments have a use tax.

“Most Cape businesses expected they would eventually pay a use tax too,” Guard said.

Koetting said taxing out-of-state purchases is good for local business.

“I feel it levels the playing field for in-town businesses,” he said.

Guard, an assistant vice president of commercial lending with MRV Banks, stressed his budget skills.

“It is not all about crunching the numbers; it is about looking at the balance sheet,” he said.

He said city government needs to be fiscally responsible. It is the job of the council to ensure tax money is spent efficiently and effectively, he said.

Guard suggested he would speak up if there is “wrong spending.” He added: “When it comes to doing what is right, you cannot be timid.”

Guard wants to make it easier for companies to do business in the city.

“I think in certain instances, there is a communication breakdown between business, the chamber of commerce and the city. It can be cumbersome to maneuver through the regulatory process,” he said.

He suggested the city should have an existing staff member serve as a liaison to help businesses through regulations.

Koetting and Guard stressed the importance of customer service in city government. The candidates also said they believe the council should actively discuss issues at its study sessions and regular meetings.

Guard said council members should not sit silent.

”We are electing council members to dive into discussions. Idly sitting by and passing things and not discussing them is failing as a council member,” he said.

“Open discussion and coming to a general consensus is the way you get things done,” he added.

Koetting said, “I think all great decisions come from discussion.” But he said council members don’t need to engage in such discussions if the decision in a particular matter is obvious.

Guard and Koetting said they have been involved in the community.

Guard served on the Golf Course Advisory Board and worked with a civic committee that promoted passage of the city’s transportation sales tax in August. He has chaired several chamber committees and has been active with various civic groups.

Guard said, “What makes me the best candidate is my career in banking and my local service role in civic and professional groups. I feel I have a track record of getting things done.”

He describes himself as a sixth-generation resident of Cape Girardeau.

“I have a vested interest in Cape Girardeau. I am proud of Cape. I feel like in some way I am trying to give back because this community has given me so much,” he said.

Koetting stressed his experience in city government. He serves on the Planning and Zoning Commission, a seat he will vacate if elected to the council.

He served several months on the city council in 2014, having been appointed to fill the Ward 3 seat until an election was held to fill the unexpired term. Shortly after, his temporary service on the council ended. Koetting moved to Ward 4. The ward covers much of the city’s north side, an area north of Lexington Avenue and west of Old Sprigg Street Road.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.