Local elections took place across the state on Tuesday and voters in Cape Girardeau had five items on the ballot. Wards 1, 2 and 6 were having newly elected members but only one contested race in Ward 2. Voters also made decisions on mayor and a tax extension.

Ward 2 City Council

In Ward 2, Shelly Moore was re-elected as city council member in a close race with Scott Johnson.

Moments after the unofficial results were posted, Moore said she plans to continue where she left off.

“There is so much on the table,” Moore said. “I want to see these babies get some of the things they need. We’re going to bring the community together. Input matters.”

As a city council member and CEO of the Cape Leaders Alliance, Moore said she plans to bring together the citizens of Ward 2, and give them the opportunity to let go of some of their frustration. She said she is grateful to the people for choosing her, and that they have yet to see her best.

“Anytime they need me, I’ll be there,” Moore said.

Johnson, who said he is a fourth-generation resident of Cape Girardeau and pastor of Soulful Harvest Ministries said he and his staff are still looking toward the bigger picture. Betty Mosley, Johnson’s sister, said the loss will not stop the progress they have been making in the community.

Johnson said change will come to the south side of Cape Girardeau when people begin thinking about the area as “more than just black people.”

“It’s not going to stop us from doing what we do,” he said. “There is more that we can do as a whole city; how we turn around to reach the community.”

Tax Extension

The proposition to extend the three-eighth-cent sales tax for 15 years passed in a landslide vote Tuesday.

This decision will extend a tax increase which was put in place in 2008 and now will continue to December 31, 2033. The taxes will continue to generate revenue for parks, recreation, and storm water efforts.

The “Vote Yes” campaign pushed for this proposition to pass, and the organization held a watch party attended by many Cape Girardeau officials, including Mayor-elect Bob Fox, former mayor Jay Knudtson and Mayor Harry Rediger, as well as city manager Scott Meyer.

Attendances watched at “Vote Yes” campaign co-chair Tracey Glenn wrote the proposition votes as they came in.

“It just shows that our citizens are willing to invest in our community,” Glenn said. “What we have is fantastic, and this will make it even better.”

All newly elected officials for the City of Cape supported the tax extension.

Mayor

Fox ran uncontested for mayor of Cape Girardeau on Tuesday.

Fox succeeds Harry Rediger, who can no longer serve because of term limits. Fox previously served as the Ward 5 councilman, a position he held since 2016.

Tuesday night Fox attended the “Vote Yes” Campaign election night party, where he celebrated with his predecessor, and many other City of Cape Girardeau staff and officials.

As Mayor, Fox intends to continue moving the city forward in a similar direction to that of Rediger.

“[I plan] to continue doing a lot of the things we’ve been doing,” Fox said.

Cape Girardeau city manager Scott Meyer was also in attendance to congratulate Fox on his victory.

“All of the people being elected tonight want to move the city forward in a positive direction and keep that positive energy going,” Meyer said.

Fox is a former school board member, a former president of the Missouri Dental Association and a member of the Cape Noon Optimist Club.

Ward 1

Dan Presson, the director of Career Services at Southeast, ran unopposed for city council Ward 1 seat.

“After talking with some people and even talking with some current city council members, I decided to throw my hat in the ring,” Presson said.

Presson has been involved in the community over the years, serving on the Old Town Cape board, the KRCU advisory board, president of his neighborhood association and more.

He said one of his main focuses will be the job market and economic situation in Cape Girardeau.

“I want to make sure that the City of Cape Girardeau is developing economically,” he said. “That we are attracting vibrant new jobs and we’re keeping young people in the city and we’re making this a place that people want to retire to or raise their families in.”

Presson said he is very competitive and wants Cape Girardeau to be the “best.”

Ward 6

Running unopposed Stacy Kinder will fill city council seat for Ward 6.

Kinder is a stay-at-home mother and said she has the time to dedicate to the position and city.

She said her six years of experience on the Cape Girardeau School Board makes her a good fit for the job.

“I really enjoy taking the time it takes to find a solution to an issue,” she said.

She does not have one major issue she plans to take on once in office, but economic heath and public safety are important issues.

“Those two things are the largest on my radar,” she said.

She was raised in Arkansas and moved to Cape Girardeau in 2001.