TWO CANDIDATES VIE FOR SCOTT CITY MAYORS

SCOTT CITY -- Mayoral candidates in Scott City say they would work for lower taxes, better management of city money and less bickering in city government.

Businessmen Larry Forhan and Rodney Holloway are vying for the position in the April 7 election. Both say making city government work within its present budget is a priority.

"I've reviewed the budget and I think improving the financial status of the city is going to be the biggest challenge," said Forhan. "We've got to maximize our current revenues through belt-tightening, looking at every expense."

Holloway said people are "sick to death" of tax hikes and "spending wisely" will have to be the goal of the next administration.

"I'm one person that hates taxes period," he said.

Both candidates said they are against raising taxes to meet city expenses.

"That seems to be the way old-style politicians want to do things," Forhan said. "They wanted to raise taxes, and that system isn't working. The city can't be in a hand-it-out situation."

Holloway said more jobs and more business in Scott City are what's needed to help the city grow.

Both candidates stressed the need for townspeople to work with city officials to solve problems. Holloway said people don't like "the bickering that goes on" at City Hall.

"People tell me they don't like going to City Hall to express their opinions because they end up getting ridiculed," he said. "That won't happen if I'm elected."

Forhan said community members need to work together for a common goal. He said elected officials need to be in touch with the concerns of the people they represent, and have an obligation to bring those concerns to city officials who can do something about them.

"It's a matter of doing what's right," he said. "I firmly believe in a representative form of government."

Holloway said people are divided over the role of police officers in the city.

"The feedback I'm getting right now is that the controversy over the police department is a big issue," he said. "I've heard people complaining in both directions, but I think the harassment needs to stop.

"The citizens need to get off the policemen's back and the police need to get off the citizens' back."

The use of reserve officers has been questioned in recent weeks in the department. Some city councilmen have called for the department to cease staffing of reserve, or volunteer officers.

Forhan said the job of a policeman is highly visible and therefore it is easy for citizens to find fault in their work or second-guess them.

"We've got an excellent police department," he said, calling the job of a policeman difficult. "But there seems to be a feeling that maybe there are some things that need to be looked into.

"It's real easy for people to say negative things about the police department, but we need to start looking at the good they do. In my opinion, the police chief is doing a good job."

Forhan said he would like to mandate that the city council study ordinances at two meetings before allowing an ordinance to pass or fail. He said city officials and townspeople could become better informed about proposed city laws through this procedure.

Holloway said his priorities include using city-allotted money from the Missouri gas tax to ensure better streets in the town. He said a more approachable city government is also one of his goals.

Forhan said he is focused on city finances. He said financial problems in some city departments, especially the fire department which needs a better-equipped fire truck, need input of all community members.

"We as a community need to put our heads together and figure out what steps need to be taken," he said.

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.

While he was mayor of Ste. Genevieve, Forhan started a community clean-up campaign, began summer recreation programs for kids, formed a park board, oversaw street improvements and a comprehensive city plan and received a Distinguished Service Award from the Jaycees.

The town's property tax rate was also lowered under Forhan's tenure.

Holloway, 34, and his wife Karen own K & R Mobile Home Park in Scott City. They have three children. The Cape Girardeau native has lived in Scott City for seven years.