League of Women Voters to hold forum

The League of Women Voters of Southeast Missouri will hold a voter's forum on Thursday, at the Career and Technology Center. The forum, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., will be broadcast live on KAPE 1550 AM and will be filmed by students of the CTC for later broadcast on Channel 5.

The LWV has extended invitations to Mayor Jay Knudtson and challenger Walter White; unopposed newcomer for the Ward 1 council position John Voss; incumbent Ward 2 councilman Charlie Herbst; incumbent Ward 6 councilwoman Marcia Ritter and challenger Richard Hengst.

School board members running for re-election were also invited.

The forum calls for questions from the audience and from members of the league with candidates given two minutes of response time. Each candidate will also receive time to give an opening and closing statement timed at two minutes each.

Cindie Jeter will serve as moderator for the forum.

Marcia Ritter, the only council member being challenged for her seat, said she filed for re-election because she believes the next four years will be particularly important ones for the city.

'Greatest growth'

"The city has not had a new comprehensive city plan since 1987, and it needs updating. We've had some financial and zoning issues to focus on the last four years, so we haven't had the chance to address it," she said. "But I think it's so critical right now because as I heard Dr. Frank Nickell say, we're experiencing the greatest growth we've had as a city since the 25 years before 1931. It's important for all the departments to have a unified plan."

Richard Hengst, Ritter's opposition, said he will not be present at the event.

"I'm here for the people in our ward and the people in our city," he said. "I'd like to see more jobs, higher-paying jobs, and more people and younger people get involved in city government. That's why I'm running."

Mayor Jay Knudtson is also being challenged and said he will run on his track record.

"I want the next four years to continue the momentum we have right now," he said. "Because I do believe we have momentum as a city where things are running very smoothly. Our financial house is in great shape, our economic performance is good, retail is extremely hot right now, we still have work to do as it relates to job recruitment in the industrial and factory sectors ... but I'm really excited about going to work on the places we can improve."

Knudtson said he would give himself a B for his first four years as mayor just to make room for improvement.

Ole Country Store Owner, real estate investor and mayoral candidate Walter White said he knows where the mayor can improve. "We're four years behind time, we've got some major jobs to take care of because we could have had some major jobs and major businesses come here." White said Knudtson could have done more to lure automotive plants to the area. He said his slogan is "If they vote Mr. White he's going to get the job done right because he loves every citizen of Cape Girardeau."

John Voss is running unopposed to replace Evelyn Boardman to represent Ward One. Voss said he will use the forum to tell people why he wants to be involved in city government.

"It's something that I've thought about for a while," he said. "I've always been interested in local politics, and I see this as an opportunity to make a difference in the future of our city. I was born and raised in Ward One and I really look forward to the opportunity to give back to my community."

Charlie Herbst is running unopposed; a call to Herbst was not immediately returned.

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245