GATELEY, WILLIAMSON FILE ON FIRST DAY FOR CITY RACES

Cape Girardeau City Councilman Melvin Gateley is the first officially to declare his candidacy for the mayor's race next spring.

Gateley filed a nominating petition at City Hall Wednesday, the first day for filing.

Also on Wednesday, James "J.J." Williamson Jr., 117 Centennial, filed a petition for the Ward 1 council seat up for election April 5.

By virtue of being the first to file, Gateley's and Williamson's names will appear first on the ballot in either the Feb. 8 primary, if it's needed, or the April general election.

Candidates have until Dec. 10 to file nominating petitions, which can be picked up at City Hall and must be signed by at least 50 registered Cape Girardeau voters.

Gateley, 67, of 1725 Brookwood, said he was encouraged by family and friends to seek the mayor's post. His term on the council doesn't expire until 1996, which means he could retain his council seat if he were to lose the mayoral bid.

"I have always enjoyed serving in a leadership role, and I think it would be rewarding to work with the council and citizens in this capacity," Gateley said Wednesday. "I'm just delighted for the opportunity."

Gateley said he would unveil his "campaign strategy and issues statement" at a news conference Friday at the Courthouse Park gazebo.

Williamson, 41, said he was encouraged to run because of the city's new ward election system.

"I just thought it was an opportune time, since we're now under the ward system, to file for the council," he said. "I live in the northeast part of city, and I feel like we need representation on the council from that end of town."

Williamson said he doesn't believe there's been sufficient city resources devoted to development in the city's northeast end -- something he hopes to change.

"The two primary issues I'm going to look into are community involvement -- I think we need more and more community development especially on the northeast end of town -- and drug and crime prevention," he said.

Gateley was an administrator in the Cape Girardeau School District for 28 years before his retirement in 1986. For 21 years, he was principal at L.J. Schultz School.

In 1990, Gateley worked as the city's liaison with the U.S. Census Bureau. He also was instrumental in the formation and implementation of Vision 2000's strategic plan for community betterment in Cape Girardeau.

Gateley is active in the First Baptist Church, the Breakfast Optimist Club, and the American Heart Association. He also formerly served on the Easter Seals Board of Directors.

Williamson and his wife, Pat, have four children between the ages of 11 and 20. He's lived in Cape Girardeau since 1981, when he was transferred here by the Missouri Highway Patrol.

Williamson was born and reared in Sikeston, and worked for the highway patrol for 13 years. He now is the finance manager for Heilig-Meyers Furniture.

Williamson has a bachelor's degree in business from Sterling College in Sterling, Kan. He's affiliated with the Professional Men's Club of Southeast Missouri and a member of the St. Matthew's Masonic Grand Lodge in St. Louis and the Golden Crown Masonic Lodge of Cape Girardeau.