Rocking the (local) vote

Voters can win big Tuesday. The prize may not be obvious. Consider what Harry S. Truman once said about elections and power:

"It's not the hand that signs the laws that holds the destiny of America. It's the hand that casts the ballot."

With that in mind, people who are not sure about their candidates can check out the voters' guide from Sunday's Southeast Missourian. Of the 20 or so candidates I interviewed over the last few weeks, every single one expressed hope that more residents would attend meetings. Tonight is a perfect opportunity, since many Southeast Missouri cities have meetings. With that in mind, here are some agenda highlights:

• Chaffee City Council will choose a new fire chief, according to councilmen Jaeson Fraser of Ward 1, and Tom Cunningham of Ward 4. The council meets at 7 p.m., but folks show up as early 6:30 p.m. at the city hall, 222 W. Yoakum Ave.
• In the city of Jackson, the Board of Aldermen will vote on a contract for removing what's left of the ice storm debris. After touring the city Friday with U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, I can tell you, what looks like tons of limbs and other tree debris will keep Christopher Contracting & Construction hopping through the May 16 deadline. The city would pay $2.83 per compacted cubic yard for the work.

The board will likely approve 8 a.m. April 26 for the annual Park Day and set the dates for the city's yearly Cleanup/Fix-Up Days.

Jackson's aldermen meet at 7:30 p.m. today with a study session at 8:15 p.m. in the second floor chambers of the city hall, 101 Court St. in uptown Jackson. See the complete agenda at www.jacksonmo.org/pdfs/mbagenda.pdf.

• Meanwhile, Cape Girardeau City Council meets for a 5 p.m. study session followed by a 7 p.m. meeting at city hall, 401 Independence St.

Rhett and Jennifer Hendrickson want a special-use permit to run a business at 1729 William St.; Jeff Jackson wants to rezone 611 Charles St. to R-3 (two-family residential). Developers are asking to rezone three acres at 1902 N. Kingshighway from commercial to single-family residential; and for nearly 15 acres off Wigwam Lane to be switched from single-family to multifamily, with a special-use permit for a community center. The city's planning and zoning board has given the nod to all but Jackson's request.

Cape Girardeau's complete agenda is online at www.cityofcapegirardeau.org/aboutcapegirardeau/citycouncilmeetingagenda1.aspx.

• When Scott City Council meets at 7 p.m. at the new city hall, 215 Chester St., Councilwoman LeAnn Wilthong, who runs the ordinance committee, said no new ordinances are on the agenda, but the board will hear department reports.

Here are a few more meetings funded by your tax dollars:

Jackson residents can attend a public meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at their city hall to review a proposed modification of Route PP, also known as South Farmington Road, and the construction detour.

Cape Girardeau residents can mark their calendars for 4:30 p.m. Friday, when the newly elected council members representing for Wards 3, 4 and 5 will be sworn in at city hall.

When Cape Girardeau's planning and zoning advisory board meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday, at city hall, members will consider writing a formal letter to the city council regarding peripheral zoning.

History buffs can hear Southeast Missouri State University history professor Joel Rhodes when he speaks at city hall of Cape Girardeau's Historic Preservation Commission's next meeting. He'll talk about his book, "A Missouri Railroad Pioneer: The Life of Louis Houck."

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. April 16 at city hall.

Questions, suggestions or tips for Lost on Main Street? E-mail pmcnichol@semissourian.com or call 335-6611, extension 127.