NEUMEYER, WILLIAMSON, EGGIMANN ELECTED

The results of close city council races made history and produced winners who vowed to carry out the wishes of their respective wards while working toward what is best for Cape Girardeau.

"This is such a great feeling," said James "J.J." Williamson, who is the first black city council member in the history of Cape Girardeau.

"I don't believe I was elected to the city council because I'm black, but I'm proud to be the first to serve on the city council," added Williamson, who along with Richard L. "Butch" Eggimann and Tom Neumeyer will become part of a new system of representation on the next city council.

Added Williamson, "I was picked to serve on the city council because of what I stand for and the number of people I reached during my campaign. As far as being the first black on the city council, hopefully young black people in Cape will aspire to do the same thing and use it as a stepping stone to become involved in city government."

Williamson, who received 11 absentee votes, commanded 54 percent of the votes in Ward 1. Frank Stoffregen received a total of 455 votes, 12 of which were absentee votes.

Said Neumeyer, who defeated Brenda Dohogne in the Ward 2 council race, "This is a victory for the people rather than a victory for Tom Neumeyer. I got out and asked the people what they were concerned with and I plan on taking their needs and concerns to the city council as their representative."

Added Neumeyer, "It was a very tight race, but then I'm not surprised by that because the weather probably affected the number of voters who turned out tonight. I was only ahead by three votes until City Hall put me over the top."

Neumeyer defeated Dohogne 444 to 385. He received 14 absentee votes. Dohogne received 20 absentee votes.

Neumeyer indicated the number one issue on a survey he mailed out to voters in his ward was safe, clean neighborhoods.

"That was the number one concern and that means I'm going to have to work hard to get that issue addressed at the city council meetings," said Neumeyer.

"Of course, there are several issues that need to be addressed, but that seems to be one of the main ones," he added. "Another issue that will have a big impact on the city, if it passes, is riverboat gambling."

Eggimann, who defeated Jay Knudtson in the Ward 6 city council race, believes he would have received more votes if he had run in a city-wide campaign.

"I talked to so many people who weren't in my ward expressing the desire to vote for me," said Eggimann. "Some of the newer residents of Cape Girardeau live in the west part of town. If I had run in Ward 5, where so many more people are familiar with my name, I think I would have had more votes."

Eggimann defeated Knudtson 918 to 754. A former education administrator and businessman, Eggimann received 36 absentee votes. Knudtson received 22 absentee votes.

The long-time resident of Cape Girardeau indicated he would need to apply intense and considerable study to a minimum property standard code.

"That's a very important issue and will require a careful study," said Eggimann. "I'm looking forward to being a member of the city council because I think with more true representation of the city, you'll see things move faster now than ever."

All three newly elected city council candidates welcome the council retreat, which is scheduled later this month. "It will be a working vacation," said Neumeyer.

Eggimann added, "It comes at a very good time because there's a lot I need to learn. I'm going to have to cram a lot of information in a short period of time, but I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Williamson believes the newly elected city council members have already made an impact during their campaigns.

"I think we've all noticed how much people feel like they have more of a voice in what goes on in this city than before," said Williamson. "I plan to honor my campaign pledge to have a private telephone line so that people in my ward can tell me what is on their minds. I'll take that to the meetings and weigh their needs with the overall needs of the city."