ONE COUNCIL SEAT CONTESTED AS FILING DEADLINE DRAWS TO CLOSE

So far, there's only one contested race for the Cape Girardeau City Council. But that could still change by 5 p.m. today.

That's the deadline for council candidates to file their nominating petitions.

In order to seek office, candidates must have collected signatures from at least 50 registered voters.

For council candidates, the voters must be registered within the candidates' individual wards. The mayor is elected at-large.

The only contested race so far is in Ward 1, where incumbent Councilman James "J.J." Williamson, 117 Centennial Drive, is running against Frank Stoffregen, 223 Capaha Trail.

Williamson and Stoffregen squared off in 1994, a race Williamson won by a 15-vote margin.

Williamson owns an Allstate Insurance agency.

Stoffregen is service manager at Sappington Auto Parts in Jackson and part-owner of a real estate development firm.

Mayor Al Spradling III was without competition Monday afternoon. Spradling, 842 Karau Lane, is seeking his second term. He previously served on the City Council.

Spradling is a Cape Girardeau attorney.

In Ward 2, incumbent Tom Neumeyer, 25 S. Lorimier, is seeking his second term.

Neumeyer owns a photography studio, bed and breakfast and resume service.

In Ward 3, Gerald Stevens, 329 N. Pacific, is seeking his first term.

Stevens owns H&R Block offices in Perryville and Ste. Genevieve and is also a realtor for Coldwell Banker.

He is seeking the seat vacated by Jack Rickard, who resigned from the City Council in October.

In Ward 6, incumbent Richard "Butch" Eggiman, 235 Hillview, is seeking his second term.

Eggiman is a retired contractor and active in real estate development.