Knudtson new Cape mayor

Jay Knudtson's often-voiced concern that he couldn't overcome mayoral opponent Melvin Gateley's name recognition garnered from serving eight years on the Cape Girardeau City Council and more as a school principal proved unfounded Tuesday.

He soundly defeated Gateley, taking 60 percent of the vote after a hard-fought campaign. Knudtson beat Gateley 2,886 to 1,900.

Knudtson and his campaign committee raised almost $30,000 to help make his name known through advertisements, yard signs and flyers. Knudtson raised about nine times more money than Gateley.

"To people who might say 'Gosh, he raised $30,000, he should have won,' I'd say the reason I had to do that is because I had to overcome Mr. Gateley's name recognition," said Knudtson at his election celebration party at the Holiday Inn. "He's done a lot of great things for this city."

In worrying about Gateley's supporters, Knudtson may have underestimated his own name recognition. Exit polling revealed many who voted for Knudtson knew him personally.

Diverse mayor

His resume is diverse. The former professional hockey referee is the chairman of the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Board and a member of the Harley Owners Group. He's also a board member of the Cape Giradeau Chamber of Commerce, a Lions Club member and a youth hockey and baseball coach.

"I coached baseball with him for a couple of years," said voter Keith Dambach as he exited Precinct 1, the Red Star Baptist Church activities building. "He seems like an intelligent guy."

Tim Kurre also voted for Knudtson.

"I know Jay and I just think he'll make a good mayor," he said. "He's a knowledgeable and trustworthy person."

Harry Rediger, Knudtson's campaign committee treasurer, said the main reason Knudtson won the election was because of his way with people.

"We covered every precinct, and Jay talked to the public and really talked about the issues relative to the city and the voters and they responded," Rediger said. "There was good, open communication."

Knudtson will be sworn in on Friday.

Second mayoral loss

Gateley was disappointed but not bitter after losing his second mayoral campaign -- the first was to current mayor Al Spradling III in 1994.

Gateley thanked his family and gave praise to his opponent.

He said he and his committee did everything they knew to do.

"Our very competent committee had everything organized to a tee," said Gateley.

Gateley's campaign focused largely on his vast experience in city government.

In addition to his two city council terms, Gateley was the mayor pro tem for four years. He was on the Vision 2000 steering committee, the Vision 2020 advisory board and is a charter member of the Cape Girardeau Industrial Recruitment Association.

Jerry Propst said he voted for Gateley based on the candidate's time on the council, but Bill Benefield said he voted for Gateley because "he's retired and he's got nothing else to do."

Benefield complained of having problems reaching city government officials in the past. "When you want to talk to them, you can't find them because they're busy doing their other job."

Ready to begin

Now that Knudtson has been elected, he's ready to get started.

One of the first things he wants to do is get the River Campus issue resolved. It involves turning the old St. Vincent Seminary into a visual and performing arts school with additional funding by Southeast Missouri State University. The city would pay $8.9 million toward the project, but the issue is on hold as the second of two lawsuits filed by Jim Drury is pending in court. The first lawsuit was dismissed.

"We're going to have some good old fashioned discussions around the table and do what's right for the city," he said. "It would be foolish to go in with any preconceived ideas. My real job at first will be to familiarize myself with the workings of the city."

bmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127