ONE MAN IN THE RACE FOR CAPE CITY COUNCIL

Dru Reeves, production manager at Horizon Screen Printing, filed Friday for a Ward 3 seat on the Cape Girardeau City Council, guaranteeing a primary election in February.

Reeves, who lives at 2149 West Cape Rock Drive, is the third candidate to file from Ward 3. Councilman Jack Rickard is seeking re-election in Ward 3. Jay Purcell, who works at Dana Corp., is also a candidate in that ward.

Reeves, 26, said he thinks the city council needs a younger face to bring a new perspective to city government.

"I think we need a younger opinion," he said. "I think I could give a different perspective to the council than what has been there traditionally."

Reeves said financial responsibility and pressing forward with capital improvements as set forth by the recently-approved sales tax are his top priorities.

This is the first public office Reeves has sought. He grew up in Cape Girardeau and attended Southeast Missouri State University.

He has two daughters, serves in the National Guard and is a member of the Evening Optimist Club.

Friday was the last day for candidates to file.

A race also exists in Ward 5, where Lawrence Godfrey will challenge incumbent Melvin Gateley.

Dr. Melvin Kasten is unopposed for re-election in Ward 4.

The primary election will be held Feb. 6. A primary is held if more than two candidates file for any one ward seat. The general election is April 2.

City residents voted to change to a ward system in November 1992. The city was divided into six wards.

The April election will mark only the third ward election for council seats and only the second regular municipal election under the ward system. This will be the first election in which a councilman is running as an incumbent in a ward.