PEOPLE THAT MAKE CAPE GIRARDEAU THRIVE: GATELEY AND SPRADLING

In a time when Americans must tolerate the mud-slinging and rhetoric that often go on in political campaigns, Cape Girardeau's two candidates for mayor exhibited a refreshing approach to politicking. The mayoral campaign, which ended Tuesday with Al Spradling III being chosen over Melvin Gateley, was clean and strictly issues-oriented.

The very nature of Cape Girardeau's non-partisan system of government helps minimize candidate attacks on one another. Personal attacks would have been beyond Spradling and Gateley, however, who have worked together on the Cape Girardeau City Council for so long for the betterment of the city.

Spradling conceded his errors of an earlier mayoral race when he was defeated by Gene Rhodes. His defeat in 1990, he said, probably came about because his campaign was perceived by voters as negative. He said he was pleased with this clean campaign.

Gateley, who has two years remaining in his first term on the council, likewise expressed pleasure with the positive tenor of the campaign. In a highly admirable concession speech, Gateley showed off the pro-community spirit he is known for and pledged to support Spradling and his leadership.

It's imperative that a good working relationship exists between Spradling, Gateley, and Councilman Melvin Kasten, who will be greeting three new council members as a result of Cape Girardeau's first council election under a ward system of government.

We compliment both mayoral candidates for their exemplary behavior.