Group supporting Cape school bond issue raises $12,850

Cape Girardeau voters will get a flurry of campaign fliers in their mailboxes in the next week as candidates for mayor and promoters of a $40 million bond issue make their final pitches.

Finance reports filed Monday, eight days before Tuesday's election, showed strong fundraising by Yes Cape Schools to support the bond issue. In the mayor's race, retired businessman Harry Rediger retained his cash advantage over former councilman Matt Hopkins.

Reports that detail donations and spending through Thursday showed that Yes Cape Schools raised $12,850 since Feb. 26, doubling the amount reported in the committee's February report. Like that last report, most of the money came from either labor unions or potential suppliers or subcontractors on the $40 million school construction program.

"I think we are fortunate that we have people who recognize the initiative is important to the community," said Adam Kidd, treasurer of Yes Cape Schools. "A lot of labor groups have contributed, and they represent local workers who need this because of the jobs and the economy."

The Yes Cape Schools committee has raised $24,040 and spent $6,587, leaving $17,452 for the final push. The money will be spent on newspaper advertising, radio spots and direct mail pieces, Kidd said.

Of the money raised in the recent period, $8,000 came from potential suppliers, subcontractors or service companies, including $3,000 from Bond Wolfe Architects, a St. Louis firm handling design services. None of that money was solicited, Kidd said. The final message will be focused on community needs, Kidd said.

"You have to maintain a sense of urgency all the way through to the end," he said.

In the mayoral campaign, Rediger reported raising $225, bringing his total to $28,503. He had $16,205 on hand.

Hopkins added $2,500 of his own money to his treasury along with $405 in contributions. Hopkins has raised $8,160 so far.

In the final week, Hopkins said, he will concentrate on door-to-door campaigning, as well as mail and other advertising. With $261.90 in the bank, Hopkins said he is continuing to raise money. The message in the last week will be experience, he said.

"I was there for eight years, and I have the experience necessary to move us forward in a very positive way," Hopkins said. "I don't have to have a learning curve to get acclimated to the way the city is run."

Rediger said he won't raise additional money and that voters will see direct mailings as well as newspaper and other advertising. It will emphasize his community service and his desire to implement the city's Comprehensive Plan, DREAM Initiative Master Plan and roadwork initiatives.

"I want to work on quality-of-life issues and be a good team player and a good listener," Rediger said.

Only two other area candidates on Tuesday's ballot have raised or spent enough money to report. They are:

* Teresa Robinson, a tax accountant challenging incumbent John Voss in Cape Girardeau's Ward 1. Robinson reported raising $1,650, including $500 from the city firefighters union.

* Dustin Cauble, attempting to unseat incumbent Tim Welker for a one-year term on the Jackson Board of Aldermen from Ward 1. Cauble has raised a total of $2,250 for the contest.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent addresses:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO

301 N. Clark St., Cape Girardeau, MO

101 Court St., Jackson, MO