SCOTT CITY'S WARD 2 ELECTION IS TUESDAY

SCOTT CITY -- Three candidates for a Ward 2 seat on the City Council will become two on Tuesday after a primary election in Scott City.

Running for the two-year term are incumbent John Rogers, and George Moit and Terry Gettings. Only voters in Ward 2 will cast ballots, and the polling place will be at the United Methodist Church, 1400 Broadway.

Primaries are held in Scott City when more than two candidates file for a seat on the council. A total of five council members will be elected in April, but only in Ward 2 were there more than two candidates for the two-year term. A one-year term in that ward will also be filled in April.

Rogers is in his third term as councilman. He served on the Illmo Board of Aldermen, and on the Scott City Council since the consolidation. He was also a police judge for Illmo and is a past president of the Scott City Chamber of Commerce.

He is a native of the town and has owned Rogers Repair Service for 12 years.

Rogers said his years of experience in city government are an asset to the city.

"We've accomplished quite a bit in the past several years, and with the port (Nash) road going in things are going to really start to happen in Scott City," he said.

Rogers said along with new projects will come a leaner city budget.

"We're going to have to tighten our belts," he said.

The recently-approved statewide fuels tax will mean federal money for street improvements, he said.

"Now that we've got the water and sewer lines completed in the industrial park, it's time we came back to the main part of town and caught up on things we've fallen behind on," he said.

Rogers said he enjoys his hometown and wants to serve another term so he can help the city grow and prosper.

Moit, a retired railroad worker who has lived in Scott City for 10 years, said he'd like to see better management of city funds and less spending on unnecessary projects.

"We're having problems paying our bills, and here we are paying for improvements in the cemetery," he said. "Let's worry about the people who are still alive and kicking."

Moit said he won't be a "yes man" if he's elected and will try to lower city taxes. He said residents are seeing less in the way of services funded by the city, but are continuing to pay more in taxes every year.

"If something needs to be done, then I'm for it," he said. "But if the city doesn't have the money, I'll be against it." Moit has not held a city office before.

Gettings, also making his first bid for a city office, has lived in Scott City for 12 years. He is a plumber and has been a volunteer fireman for seven years.

He said he has no particular agenda or changes in city policies he'd push for, but it's time for some new faces in city hall.

"I'd like to get more involved in city government, and I think more young people need to get involved," he said. "The same people have been there for a number of years, and I think it's time for a change."

Gettings, 32, is a native of Cape Girardeau. He and his wife, Rhonda, have three children.

Candidates in the April 7 election for four other seats on the council are LaDonna Phelps in Ward 1; Edith Davidson and Kenny Holder for a one-year term in Ward 2; Ron Oller and Joe Bles for a two-year term in Ward 3; and Terry Johnston in Ward 4.

Candidates for mayor are Larry Forhan and Rodney Holloway. Mayor Shirley Young did not file for re-election.