CITY FLAG BALLOTING WILL BEGIN TODAY

Voting opens today in the Cape Girardeau city flag contest.

The entries -- five for the adult city flag and three for the children's flag -- are on display in the periodicals room of the Cape Girardeau Public Library, where ballots are available.

A panel of judges chose the semifinalist entries on display. Residents will choose the final winners.

Voting will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, and from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday.

Voting will continue during those hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through March 28, said Melvin Gateley, one of the contest coordinators.

The entries reflect several symbols of Cape Girardeau's history, including roses, the Common Pleas Courthouse, the Main Street clock, Cape Rock and the Mississippi River.

Winners will be notified by May 1. Gateley said it won't be that long. "Just as soon as the people select the children's flag and the adults,' the artists will be notified," he said.

Contest organizers hope to display the winning flags by June 10. They have begun talking to flag makers to get estimates, Gateley said.