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NewsFebruary 6, 1994

Cape Girardeau residents Tuesday will set the stage for the city's first ward election since the adoption of the city charter 13 years ago. Primary races are slated for two of the three city wards up for election in April. Three candidates will vie for two seats each in Ward 2, on the city's east side, and Ward 6, on the west side...

Cape Girardeau residents Tuesday will set the stage for the city's first ward election since the adoption of the city charter 13 years ago.

Primary races are slated for two of the three city wards up for election in April. Three candidates will vie for two seats each in Ward 2, on the city's east side, and Ward 6, on the west side.

In April, voters will elect new council members from those wards and Ward 1, in the city's northeast side, as well as a new mayor.

In Ward 2, the candidates are Tom Neumeyer, Joseph Sampson and Brenda Dohogne.

Ward 6 candidates are Dennis Dobson, Jay Knudtson and Richard "Butch" Eggimann.

On Page 4 of today's paper appears compilations of the candidates views on five topics that have garnered much of the city council's attention in the past year: Solid waste service, riverboat gambling, building code and housing issues, economic development and crime.

The city council recently agreed to solicit from private trash haulers bids on the city's trash service. Meanwhile, a $1.46 per month trash-fee hike has been put on hold.

The proposed $12 fee is the third hike in the past four years and has prompted a cry for volume-based trash billing and privitization.

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Riverboat gambling is an issue that has dominated local politics for more than a year. After two elections, the final one in June, the city is poised to secure a riverboat casino operator in Cape Girardeau.

Two potential operators are vying for the city council recommendation to the Missouri Gaming Commission and are slated to present their proposals to the council Monday night.

Candidates in the two primary races Tuesday were asked their views on how best the city ought to earmark local gambling revenue.

The candidates also were asked their views on the city's building inspections program, a proposed property maintenance code before the council and a citizen advisory board's recommendation that the city pursue the development of public housing in Cape Girardeau.

The other general topics covered by the candidates were economic development and crime control.

The top two vote-getters in each ward Tuesday will face-off in the April 5 general election. That election also will include another ward and a mayoral race.

Candidates for Ward 1 are James "J.J." Williamson Jr. and Frank Stoffregen. The mayoral candidates are current council members Melvin Gateley and Al Spradling III.

The loser of the mayor's race will remain on the council until spring 1996. Because both candidates are sitting councilmen, a special election will need to be held to replace the new mayor on the council.

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