MCGOY APPOINTED TO FILL UNEXPIRED CAIRO COUNCIL TERM

CAIRO, Ill. -- Cordell McGoy, a city councilman at Cairo from 1987 through 1995, is the newest member of the current Cairo City Council.

McGoy was named recently to fill a seat left opened by the death of Councilman Earl Wade.

McGoy has also filed for a new term to the council. He is one of four candidates who will appear on the ballot for the February 23 primary.

McGoy, a Cairo native and longtime member of the Cairo City Council, gave up his seat on the council in 1995 to run for mayor, a race he lost to incumbent Mayor James Wilson.

McGoy, who works at the Tamms Correctional Center, was first elected to the council in 1987, from Ward III.

Wade, a retired postal clerk and former member of the Cairo Police Department, was elected to the Cairo Council in 1995, winning over four candidates in Ward III.

Wade died in November.

McGoy was appointed to replace Wade during a special meeting of the Cairo Council.

McGoy started his career with the Illinois Department of Corrections at the Vienna Correctional Center in 1972, and was recognized for 25 years of service in 1997. He was promoted to sergeant in 1974 and to captain in 1995. He transferred to the Tamms Correctional Center in June of 1995, where he is responsible for maintaining custody and control of inmates and supervision of security staff.

Filing closed for the primary here recently, with a total of 26 candidates seeking seven positions in Cairo government.

Wilson, who has served two four-year terms as mayo, will be unchallenged.

Six candidates are seeking the position of council member at-large, a four-year term. Steve R. Wiesenmayer is incumbent and will face five opponents in the primary. Filing for the at-large position were Arnold Burris Sr., Donald Earl Rushing, Joseph M. Thurston, Rodney L. Moore and Charles J. Koen.

The only ward with less than three candidates is Ward IV, where incumbent Nancy Wright will face K.R. "Duke" Jones in the April 13 general election.

Other Cairo races with primary opponents include:

Ward I: Incumbent Elbert "Bo" Purchase, Fred H. Shelton, and Pat Butts.

Ward II: Incumbent Bobby Whitaker, Berlene Jones, Joe Nelson, Thomas M. Simpson, James Purdiman.

Ward III: Incumbent Cordell McGoy, Gregory D. Walker, Danny Brown, James Tony Mallory.

Ward V: Incumbent Carolyn Ponting, James R. Wissinger, John R. Holman, Carolyn Faye Broom.