SPRADLING QUESTIONS COUNCIL TERM LIMITS

Cape Girardeau doesn't need term limits if it means losing good representation on the City Council, the mayor said Monday.

Monday was the last regular session of the City Council for Dr. Melvin Kasten and Melvin Gateley. The council will meet again Friday afternoon for a special meeting to swear in new members after today's election.

Both Kasten and Gateley have served on the council since 1992 and are prohibited from serving more than two consecutive terms. Kasten represents Ward 4 and Gateley Ward 5.

"Term limits are not what this city needs," said Mayor Al Spradling III. "It's one of the things that shouldn't happen."

Both Kasten and Gateley have served the city with "grandeur and vigor" and shouldn't have to quit that service because of a term limit, said the mayor. Spradling hopes that one day Cape Girardeau voters will reconsider the two-term limitation.

He presented both men with a plaque for their service to the council and city.

Voters approved a change to the City Charter in 1992 that created the ward system and enacted term limits for council members and the mayor. Prior to that Cape Girardeau had at-large elections for council members and no term limitations.

Kasten and Gateley were the senior members of the council.

"It will be a great loss to lose them on the council," said Councilman Jay Purcell, who is seeking a second term on the council and is the only incumbent candidate.

Purcell previously has spoken out about how term limits will mean the loss of their wisdom and judgment on the council.

Both men have done a lot for the city, their colleagues said.

"Every day more people like the city," said Councilman Richard "Butch" Eggimann, and part of that is because of their work.

Gateley said he is often asked about what is happening in the city because things seem so quiet. That cooperation shouldn't just be attributed to the council but also to the city staff, he said.

"They work hard, and this great book has everything we need other than a little legwork," Gateley said referring to the council packets and agendas distributed before each meeting. "We are very fortunate to have a great staff."

During their eight-year tenures, Kasten and Gateley have seen expansive changes in the city. "We've done a lot," Kasten said.

Major projects like separating stormwater and sewer lines, improving major streets and building new ones, annexing land, and building new public buildings and parks have taken place while they have been on the council.

Both said they ran for office because it was a chance to make the city a better place. The best part of being an elected official is "doing all the positive things for people," Gateley had said on Sunday.