Out of the past 4/7/02

10 years ago: April 7, 1992

Melvin Gateley receives most votes to win one of three four-year terms on Cape Girardeau City Council; Gateley receives 2,741 votes, or nearly 27 percent of those cast; Melvin Kasten finishes second with 2,422 votes, and incumbent Al Spradling III is re-elected with 2,225; candidates Loretta Schneider and Lawrence Godfrey lose their bids.

Cape Girardeau City Council yesterday unanimously approved local ethics ordinance designed to better prevent conflicts of interest; law will require public disclosures of council members' financial interests; ordinance also expands penalties for violations to include council censure of a violator.

25 years ago: April 7, 1977

City council has agreed to finance dragline operation to clean out Cape LaCroix Creek, if west end merchants will obtain necessary legal permission from property owners to enter the property; steps to get permission are under way with contracts already made in some instances; businessmen are also looking into formation of storm sewer district to further protect their property.

Southeast Missouri Hospital's laboratory moves into new quarters on fourth floor of original hospital building, first occupancy in fourth stage of hospital's five-year development program; next week another step will be taken in remodeling program which will require closing of snack bar and lobby for period of about two months.

50 years ago: April 7, 1952

Prayer that members "be as men Moses chose who fear God, love truth and fight covetousness" is offered for new city administration as it formally takes office; the Rev. Laurence W. Cleland, pastor of First Baptist Church, offers prayer, as Manning P. Greer is sworn in as mayor and Louis Brune, Philip H. Steck, Roy Smith and J.W. McBride take oaths as city commissioners.

Firemen battle flames five hours before warehouse blaze is extinguished; building, at Pollack Hide & Fur Co., Kingshighway, contains paper and rags purchased as scrap; fire destroys brick and frame structure.

75 years ago: April 7, 1927

Three exchanges - at Flat River, Farmington and Bonne Terre - are included in property of Lead Belt Telephone Co., which has been purchased by Cape Girardeau Telephone Co.; Missouri Public Service Commission late Wednesday gave its approval to purchase, which had been under consideration for year.

Nearly 1,000 Missouri Rotarians are in Cape Girardeau and, despite drizzling rain, are extended enthusiastic welcome as they convene for their fifth annual convention; arriving by river steamer and special train, visitors are greeted by throng of hundreds of Girardeans; two bands play merrily as they are escorted to their headquarters and to New Broadway Theater, meeting place for conference.

- Sharon K. Sanders