COUNCIL RACES DEVELOP IN TWO WARDS

Three candidates filed for open seats on the Cape Girardeau City Council, creating a contested race in two of the three wards with openings. Seats in Wards 3, 4 and 5 are up for election April 4. Until Tuesday no candidates had filed for the seat in Ward 5, and only one candidate had filed in each of the other two wards.

Councilmen Dr. Melvin Kasten of Ward 4 and Melvin Gateley of Ward 5 cannot run for re-election because of term limits. Both have served two consecutive four-year terms. Jay Purcell, an incumbent, was the first to file for office Oct. 4. He represents Ward 3 and is running uncontested.

When Matt Hopkins filed for the Ward 5 seat late Tuesday afternoon, he created the second race in the election. Lawrence Godfrey had filed for the seat earlier in the day.

Voters in Ward 4 also will have a contested race. Ken Lipps will face Hugh White, a former council member. White also returned his nominating petition Tuesday morning.

Hopkins, who lives at 2532 Tulip Lane, said he chose to run after being approached by residents. He didn't make the final decision until a week ago, he said.

Hopkins, who has been executive director at the March of Dimes for the past five years, said the people he talked to had no complaints about the city but "want someone to represent them."He ran for Cape Girardeau County collector last year and lost. But running for office taught him the value of meeting people and listening to what they want, he said.

Issues that concern Hopkins are increased regulations on trash and solid waste mandated by state and federal governments as well as continued improvements to the city's infrastructure and planned growth of the area. "I've got a good business sense and think I understand what the citizens want Cape's government to do," Hopkins said.

Hopkins is a member of Cape Girardeau Jaycees and a past president of the organization, a member of the Lions Club and serves on the finance committee at Grace United Methodist Church. He also serves on the board of directors for SIDS Resources and is a past board member of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He also has been a past board member and is currently a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

Godfrey also has experience with elections. He has campaigned three times as a candidate for council and helped initiate a petition drive to change the city's charter and create a ward system. He lives at 1732 Rampart.

Godfrey said his past experience in campaigning has been helpful because "you learn a lot canvassing the neighborhood."During his last campaign in 1996, he went door-to-door in the ward meeting voters and talking to them. "I like one-on-one and getting to know people," he said. His campaign likely will follow that previous format.

Godfrey didn't yet want to discuss any issues for the campaign. He said he is still looking at numbers and studying information. Godfrey expressed dislike for term limits but said he doesn't plan to initiate any changes in the system. "People voted for it, and somebody else will have to do it if they want it changed," he said. Godfrey believes petitions initiated by voters are the only way government regulations and ordinances should be changed. Godfrey has worked at Horizon Screen Printing for 10 years. He was previously treasurer of Riverside Home Center. He is a 1969 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. He also is a member the Promenaires Square Dance Club. A contested race also exists in Ward 4. Hugh White filed for office and will challenge Ken Lipps for the seat. White, who lives at 2069 Steven Dr., served on the city council from 1988 to 1992. He currently serves on the city's Planning and Zoning Commission.

That experience should help him with critical planning on the council, he said. "One of my attributes is a natural tendency for long-range planning," he said. "I like to plan ahead and anticipate for the rainy days."White said the city has done an adequate job of planning ahead for projects, and that has had a positive effect on voters. However, "there are always things to be improved," he said.

White said, "My first priority in the campaign will be to communicate my views effectively so the citizens can make an informed choice."White said he doesn't take any credit for past projects completed by the city during his former term in office, but "I am proud of my collective participation in a number of projects, some of which are only now coming to fruition."Some of those projects include flood control and the extension of Lexington Avenue and the Osage Community Centre.

White is employed by SuperValu Inc. in Scott City. His past civic organization memberships include the Evening Toastmasters Club, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, Cape West Rotary Club and the Cape Girardeau Executive Club. He is a member of First Christian Church.