New leadership will serve the city well

Congratulations to Jay Knudtson, who will be sworn in today as mayor of Cape Girardeau, and to Evelyn Boardman and Marcia Ritter, the city's new council members. They were the winners in Tuesday's election.

This week's voting and today's swearing-in ceremonies bring to an end the eight years Al Spradling III has ably and conscientiously served as mayor. Looking back to 1994, it must be satisfying to Spradling to see all of the changes for the better that have occurred in Cape Girardeau while he was mayor.

Spradling, whose manners and modesty would preclude him from taking personal credit for these improvements, provided the leadership and focus that were so important to the decision-making processes of the city council and its new ward system.

Presiding over council meetings, Spradling stuck to the agenda and kept the sessions from dragging on. In his official capacity of representing the city, Spradling was articulate and businesslike. He fostered good relations with Jackson officials as the two cities addressed common concerns and needs.

The new mayor and the two new councilwomen have displayed a commitment to keeping the city moving forward. In their public appearances, Knudtson, Boardman and Ritter have demonstrated the art of good communication and an ability to think on their feet. The city should be well-served by these additions to the city's leadership.

A word also must be said about the other candidates in Tuesday's races. Mayoral candidate Melvin Gateley and council candidates Frank Stoffregen and Walter Wildman deserve our thanks and appreciation for being willing to put their names before the voters. Contested races always bring out important issues and good ideas.

Finally, a word or two about the city's voters.

Fewer than 5,000 of them -- 18.4 percent of those registered -- went to the polls Tuesday. That means an overwhelming majority -- more than 80 percent -- of the city's voters didn't think it was worthwhile to make the effort to help choose a new mayor and two new council members.

In an era when lots of people grumble about government at every level and gripe about the decisions elected officials make, it is a sad fact that most of the grumblers and gripers don't take advantage of the opportunities they have to make a difference at the polls.

Cape Girardeau also had the distinction in this week's election of being the home of one precinct in which every registered voter is a university student -- and none of them bothered to cast a vote. Their excuse? They aren't from Cape Girardeau and don't have an interest in local affairs.

Too bad. They should have an interest, because the fortunes and future of the city and university are inextricably linked. While they are here, students are consumers of city services and community resources that are all affected, in one way or another, by city government.

Indeed, these students should have as much to say about city government as any of the more than 29,000 year-around residents who are registered voters and chose to stay home Tuesday.