Robbie Guard enters race for Ward 4 seat

Residents of Cape Girardeau's Ward 4 will have a decision to make when they vote for their next council representative.

Robbie Guard announced Tuesday his plans to run for the seat that will be left vacant by term-limited Councilwoman Loretta Schneider.

Guard, a fifth-generation Cape Girardeau resident, is an assistant vice president in commercial lending for MRV Banks.

"I want the best for Cape and I'm proud of Cape. I grew up here," he said.

If he becomes Ward 4's next council representative, Guard will come in with plenty of service experience. He's served on the Golf Course Advisory Board since 2008 and was the board chairman in 2012. More recently, he was a member of the Transportation Trust Fund 5 public information committee, a volunteer citizen committee formed in advance of the August election.

He's also involved with the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce -- acting as chairman of the Beautification Committee in 2010 and graduating from Leadership Cape in 2005 -- as well as the Cape Girardeau Jaycees, where he has served as a past president and remains chairman of the Cape Girardeau Jaycee BBQ Fest; the Noon Lions Club; United Way of Southeast Missouri; Cape Girardeau Elks; and a Friends of Saint Francis board member.

The dedication to community that inspired Guard to become involved in so many local groups is a key factor in his decision to run for city council. He said he's "proud of our city's past" and how far it's come over the years; now he wants to help lead Cape Girardeau into the future.

Running for city council is something he said he has long considered.

"It's something that, in my adult life, growing up in Cape -- quite frankly, it's something that I've always wanted to do, to represent a group of people and help Cape get better," he said.

His goal, if he becomes the Ward 4 councilman, is "to see Cape prosper," he said, and continue making smart moves to encourage growth and activity.

A graduate of Central High School, Guard has a bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State University. He and his wife, Carrie, have two daughters.

The general election will be April 5 and includes the seats for wards 5 and 3, as well.

Candidates must be nominated by a petition, signed by at least 50 voters registered in the ward for which the candidate is seeking election. Nominated candidates may file with the city between Oct. 20 and Nov. 17.

Patrick Koetting also has announced his intention to seek the Ward 4 council seat. If a third candidate files for the ward, a primary election will be held Feb. 2.

srinehart@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, Mo.