CHAFFEE: THREE HOPE TO LAND MAYOR'S OFFICE

CHAFFEE - Tuesday's municipal election will give Chaffee voters the opportunity to pick from among three mayoral candidates.

Incumbent Ron Moyers is seeking re-election. He is being challenged by Bob Capshaw, a long-time veteran of the post whom Moyers beat in 1987 to win the seat; and Bill Goad, a political newcomer in Chaffee.

Moyers, a 41-year-old employee of Lone Star Cement, is seeking re-election to a second, four-year term.

On Wednesday, Moyers said he wished to see the completion of the city's long-range planning program.

"If there is a priority, it's the streets, water and sewer system; (to) incorporate the people that are not presently on our water and sewer system, who are in the city limits," he said.

The city also needs to continue with its industrial development, which Moyers said is the lifeline of a city of Chaffee's size. At the same time, however, the city needs to keep working with the industry it has already, he said.

Moyers said he wanted to look to the future.

"It seems that one of the candidates wants to look back and (say), `See what I've done,' and, `See what I've accomplished.'" But Moyers said nothing could be accomplished without a good solid base of both city residents and a city council.

"I strived in my last campaign to unify the council, and we've accomplished that," he said.

Capshaw of 127 South Main served as Chaffee's mayor for 16 years, including 12 consecutive years in office prior to Moyers winning election.

For Capshaw, a Chaffee native and former businessman, the most important issue in the race is the amount of time that the mayor devotes to his duties.

Capshaw, 72, is semi-retired. As such, he said he can do the job full time.

"If elected, I will be in the office each day serving the people. I can't overemphasize the fact that the mayor needs to be in the office each day taking care of the office."

Asked if he felt this was being done now, he said: "I don't want to be critical, but let the people judge for themselves."

Nonetheless, Capshaw didn't leave much room for the possibility of his defeat.

"If we have a big turnout I'll win because the majority of Chaffee people are for me," he said.

Chaffee also needs to have a permanent program for maintaining and repairing city streets, said Capshaw. As mayor, he said, he will see that such a program is implemented.

Goad, 51, is a native of Advance who has lived in Chaffee about 10 years. Though he has no local political experience, he served two years on the city council in Forest, Ill. in the early 1970s, he said.

"If (the voters) pick me for mayor, I'll try to do my best and accommodate them in every way even the City Council," he said.

His first priority as mayor, Goad said, would be to try and see that the city gets its streets paved. As well, Goad said he'd like to see improvements in the city's sewers and water meters.

One cost-saving measure the city could undertake would be a reduction of full-time officers on its police force, he said. Goad contended city officials could reduce the force and have auxiliary officers help out at night, with the Scott County Sheriff's Department acting as a backup.

Another ambition of Goad's is the elimination of the city's vehicle stickers, so long as the city could recoup the cost from another source. Goad said he believes a lot of residents would be happy to do away with the stickers.

Goad, who sells advertising, lives at 324 West Parker.