SCOTT CITY CANDIDATE WANTS TO ESTABLISH CITIZEN CABLE BOARD

First of two articles

SCOTT CITY A candidate for mayor of Scott City says he'd form a citizens cable committee and alter the way the City Council votes on city laws if he is elected.

Larry Forhan, who is one of two candidates for mayor, issued a statement Friday stating these are two of several issues on his agenda.

The other candidate is Randy Holloway, owner of a mobile home park. Mayor Shirley Young did not file for re-election.

Forhan, 45, is a native of Arkansas. He moved to Scott City in 1982 when he married Scott City native Mary Carolyn Arnold.

He is also a former resident of Ste. Genevieve, and was mayor there from 1975 to 1977.

This is Forhan's second attempt to become Scott City's mayor. He ran against Young in 1990.

He is owner of a Scott City computer business, Abbey Consultants, which he started in 1982.

Forhan said a citizen's committee on cable television needs to be formed to review and monitor cable service. The city currently has a one-year contract with Falcon Cablevision.

"A short-term contract will assure that we will receive the best service," said Forhan, who was the first to file for the office.

He also suggests that the City Council enact a policy that any proposed ordinance must be presented at two meetings before it is approved or rejected. This would allow for more study by council members, he said.

"What I am proposing is that we simply look before we leap," he stated. "There have been several instances in the past where ordinances and other matters were passed at one meeting and at the very next one, reversed or altered."

Allowing for the ordinances to be discussed at two meetings would permit more citizen input, he said, and allow council members and the mayor time to study the proposals.

Forhan said being mayor of Ste. Genevieve made him understand the problems faced by small cities. Ste. Genevieve's population is about 4,500, slightly less than Scott City's.

Forhan said he issued a statement on his views because he wants to make his positions clear on the issues.

"I do promise that if I'm elected mayor of Scott City, I will attempt to see that the city operates in a fair and efficient manner," he said, adding he believes "all citizens should be treated the same" in city matters.

He also said he'd work to improve the city's financial status. That would include "economizing" in all city departments in an attempt to cut expenses.

"Every expenditure needs to be reviewed so that the City Council and all city departments operate in the most efficient manner," he said.

Forhan said he'd push for a street improvement plan, more industrial and commercial growth and a second northbound exit out of town.

He'd also like to cut back the number of closed sessions held by the City Council. He said closed sessions are not needed at each council meeting.

"The Missouri Open Meeting, or Sunshine Law, will be followed to the letter," he said. "The law was enacted for the benefit of the citizens so that almost all business that is conducted by the city is done in an open session."

He added that if he is elected, the council will not hold closed sessions after each meeting.

Forhan said he plans to run a positive campaign.

"While I do want to be mayor, I will not engage in a negative campaign concerning my opponent, nor will I conduct a mudslinging campaign," he said.

The election is April 7.

Tomorrow: Interview with Mayor Candidate Rodney Holloway.