TWO SEEK MAYOR'S SEAT IN CHAFFEE

CHAFFEE -- Councilman Bill Cannon and former mayor Bob Capshaw are seeking the four-year term for Chaffee's mayor in Tuesday's municipal election.

Cannon, a councilman for the past six years who's served on all the city's major committees, said he's the best candidate for the position because he's in touch with the times.

"I know what city projects are going on," Cannon said. "I feel that I have proven over the years that I can get things done. It's mainly arbitrating and communicating."

Capshaw, Chaffee's mayor from 1971 to 1987, said he's the best candidate for the position "because of my qualifications, which constitute leadership and service to the community."

Cannon, first on the ballot, is 57, a Chaffee native, a retired railroad engineer, a member of several civic organizations and an army veteran. He's had business interests in Chaffee, owns rental property and is raising miniature donkeys on a farm outside of town

He and his wife, Donna, have been married 14 years, and they have four grown children and a son, Wade, at home.

Capshaw, 76, served on the city council before becoming mayor. He is a member of several civic organizations and has had business interests in Chaffee.

He farms with his son near New Hamburg. Capshaw was honored in 1986 as "Father of the Year" by the University of Missouri-Columbia because all seven of his children attended the university.

Cannon said the mayor's duties include following the city council's instructions, coordinating city operations to run smoothly and promoting the city.

Cannon said he intends to communicate more with residents to improve the operation of the mayor's office. He said he plans to be in the office every weekday and Saturday morning.

Cannon said that if elected, he will continue to make improvements for the city

As chairman of the street committee for six years, he said local streets are better than they've ever been. Improvements still need to be made, he said.

Capshaw said the mayor needs to provide leadership for the town, which means attention to daily operations and being constantly on the job.

Capshaw was embroiled in controversy with the city council during his last year as mayor over his proposal to increase the mayor's salary to at least $300 per month. The council declined, keeping the salary at $125 per month.

Capshaw said he doesn't know if his relations with council will improve if he's elected mayor on Tuesday.

"I'm going to do the job that the people elect me to do," he said. "I've always gone by what I think is right and opposed what I think is wrong."