Cape Girardeau City Council Ward 5 candidate profiles

Mark Lanzotti

Age: 38

Spouse: Amy

Children: Victor, 8; Marisa, 6; Anthony, 4.

Employment: Lawyer with Osburn, Hine, Kuntze, Yates, & Murphy LLC, Cape Girardeau

Education: University of Illinois (B.S.), University of Texas (M.A.), University of Missouri (J.D.)

Memberships: St. Vincent de Paul Parish

Reason for running: Public service is something I believe in, everyone within their means and talents should in some way strive to make their community a better place. For me, city council is my effort to give back.

Other experience: I believe my experience as an attorney will help me in understanding the complexities of certain issues the city council will face, e.g., real estate, financing and budgeting, contracts and other legal matters. Using this understanding I will be in position to make fully informed decisions that are in the best interest of the city of Cape Girardeau.

Main challenges: Growth. Right now I believe Cape Girardeau is at the crossroads of its future. We have been blessed as the regional hub for commercial, retail, higher education, and health-care services. Moving forward we must continue to strive to increase those aspects of our community as well as seek new opportunities for growth. Cape Girardeau is the signature community in the region, I want to be sure we keep that distinction, but in the quest for growth we must remember the core areas in town that need our support as well.

Main assets: Cape Girardeau's assets are plenty. First and foremost is its citizenry. We are blessed to live in a community where front porches are still used, children can ride a bike in their neighborhoods, and driving across town doesn't take all day.

Steven Peel

Age: 45

Spouse: Laura

Children: Anne, 20; Kate, 17

Employment: Seed Solutions, owner

Education: bachelor of science degree in agronomy from Southeast Missouri State University

Memberships: Gideons, American Phytopathological Society (an agronomy association)

Reason for running: I think the people ought to have a choice.

Other experience: I run my own business. I was a school board in Jonesboro, Ark., former United Council on Biodiversity member.

Main challenges: Declining neighborhoods. We have a great start to our transportation system, but it needs work.

Main assets: It is a small town but a big city at the same time. Wonderful symphony, education for kids and adults, wonderful sporting events and playgrounds. We all know each other and look out for each other. The city of Cape is just great.

Communication: It's not like it's a job where you've got unlimited mail abilities. but just to remain accessible. My phone number is listed in the book. Between e-mail and phone calls, let them contact you whenever.