CHARTER CHANGES PASS EASILY

Cape Girardeau voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a dozen amendments to the city charter that supporters said will bring more accountability to city government.

Voters said yes to council term limits, creation of an ethics commission, tax and fee limitations, and a number of measures dealing with city finances.

Only 2,494 people or 11 percent of the city's voters went to the polls.

The amendments passed by wide margins, ranging from a high of 87 percent for a measure lowering the residency requirement for council members to a low of 66 percent for one making changes in notification of lawsuits against the city.

The amendments passed in all 16 of the city's precincts.

Ten of the amendments were proposed by a charter review committee.

Committee members were elated with the outcome.

"I believe it will be good for the city," said committee member Keith Russell.

He said the overwhelming support sends a clear message to city hall.

"Citizens and voters want more accountability from elected officials," he said. "They just want to be treated like equal partners in running city government."

Former mayor Paul Stehr chaired the citizens committee. He said the amendments to the city's governing document make sense. "They were good changes and I think everybody recognized it," Stehr said.

Both Stehr and Russell said they weren't disappointed by the low voter turnout.

"There were no real hot council races," said Stehr. "I don't think there was anything that was real controversial on there."

Russell said it was one of the most low-profile elections that he has seen in Cape Girardeau.

"I definitely feel that the voters are the winners from the results of the charter vote," said Councilman Melvin Gateley.

Gateley and Councilman Jack Rickard publicly supported the amendments. Both won re-election Tuesday.

Gateley's opponent, Lawrence Godfrey, opposed most of the amendments.

Rickard's opponent, Purcell, didn't take a strong stand on the amendments.

Gateley said the council and city staff must now implement the amendments.

Addition of a preamble to the charter was approved 1,917 to 447.

A change in residency requirements that allows people who have lived in the city two years to run for council seats was approved 2,074 to 303.

Term limits for councilmen and the mayor was approved 1,607 to 755.

A minor change regarding the position of mayor was approved 1,887 to 470.

Establishment of a local ethics commission was approved 1,548 to 750.

A change that requires the city to have a balanced budget with no deficit fund spending was approved 1,808 to 457.

Intra-fund loans will be made by ordinance under a change approved 1,676 to 551.

Establishment of an emergency reserve fund was approved 1,676 to 590.

A charter provision concerning fee and tax limitations was approved 1,869 to 495.

Preparation of a city debt statement was approved 1,663 to 349.

Removal of water as a city franchise was approved 1,764 to 447.

A change in the city's notice of lawsuits was approved 1,462 to 753.