GATELEY TOP COUNCIL VOTE-GETTER; KASTEN AND SPRADLING ALSO GET SEATS

Melvin Gateley, who campaigned as rigorously as any of the five candidates for the Cape Girardeau City Council, Tuesday received the most votes to win one of three four-year terms on the council.

Gateley received 2,741 votes, or nearly 27 percent of those cast. Melvin Kasten finished second with 2,422 votes, and incumbent Al Spradling III was re-elected with 2,225.

Candidates Loretta Schneider and Lawrence Godfrey lost their bids for the three seats, with 1,710 and 1,151 votes, respectively.

County Clerk Rodney Miller said Tuesday he hadn't compiled the voter turnout in the city, but that countywide turnout was only about 25 percent.

Gateley said Tuesday night he was "elated" that his hard work apparently paid off. He said he now looks forward to working with the council to face challenges confronting the city.

"We had a good campaign organization with a whole lot of people pitching in," said Gateley. "I'm very humble tonight and very appreciative of the people of Cape Girardeau."

Gateley said he's certain the new council will work well together in conducting city business.

"I always have faith and confidence in people, and I know that together we can accomplish what we set our minds to do," he said. "Let's really go forward in the next four years."

Kasten also was pleased with the election results. He said that he felt all five of the council candidates would have made good council members.

"I was hoping to get elected, obviously. But there were fine people running, which showed in the number of votes everyone got," he said. "I think there were plenty of good choices from which the people were able to choose."

Spradling said he was "elated and relieved" to be elected for another four years on the council. He said he wasn't disappointed with his third-place finish behind two newcomers.

He said some of the issues the council has tackled in the past four years have been unpopular with voters, which likely led to some "anti-incumbency" sentiment.

"Solid waste is one of the issues that was more of a detriment than anything," said Spradling. "Also, some of the dissension on the council during the past four years might have had some impact."

Spradling said he wants to be able to continue those programs the council initiated in the past four years.

"I want to continue what we've started," he said. "We need to get our budget concerns straightened out; finish a number of street projects; hopefully, finish the Shawnee Park project; get new businesses into the community; and get the water system off the ground.

"But I think it will be an excellent council, and we should go a long way to making some real progress here."

Kasten said budget concerns likely will dominate much of the council's policy decisions during the next four years.

"It's hard to have enough money to get done all the things people want done," he said. "It's definitely going to be a challenge for me and the whole council, but I'm certainly looking forward to it."

Gateley said he thinks solid waste will continue to be an issue for the council during his term. Also, the city's five-year capital improvements plan presents a number of ambitious projects that need to be completed, he said.

"I'm definitely interested in, first of all, hearing all the concerns of the people and developing a good rapport with everyone," Gateley said. "I think then we'll be able to move forward efficiently."

One issue Gateley wants the council to address is a "block-by-block redevelopment and beautification" effort in the city's historic, riverfront district. He said he hopes his good showing in Tuesday's election is a mandate to pursue that program.

"I hope that's an indication of people ready to join the team and resolve a number of these issues," Gateley said.

"I think the past council has laid some good, solid plans, and I look forward with excitement to getting started on these things."