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Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger Bids Well Wishes To Departing Councilman, Dr. Wayne Bowen

City of Cape Girardeau

Last week, Cape Girardeau’s Ward 6 councilman Wayne Bowen attended his last city council meeting. Mayor Harry Rediger recognized Dr. Bowen for his dedication to Ward 6, and the work he’s done in support of public safety. We spoke with Mayor Rediger about Dr. Bowen’s run as councilman, and their priorities in filling the vacancy.

 

Grojean: First, go ahead and tell me about Wayne and what he did for Cape Girardeau as a councilman, sort of his legacy to the city.

 

Rediger: Wayne Bowen has been a great asset to our council, support for our staff, and a great representative for his constituents and his ward. He served on the city council for four plus years. We hate to see him go, he’s been a great asset for our city; but he’s on to a bigger career opportunity. We’ll congratulate him and wish him godspeed as he moves on. Wayne has been a champion of public safety since he was elected and all during the time he served, and has supported expansion of both fire and police in many ways: infrastructure, personnel, etc. He’s always been very forthcoming with his comments in the council meetings, and all of our council, myself and staff, has greatly respected his intuition, his feelings and his response to his constituents. It’s a real loss for us as we move on, but we’ll move on, and have a process established to replace the Ward 6 councilman as it becomes open the first of August.

 

Grojean: So why is councilman Bowen departing the city council?

 

Rediger: He accepted a position in Orlando, Florida with [University of] Central Florida, it's a really good career move for him. That is the reason he is leaving at this time. He was slated to run for reelection, and he had everything to do that until this career opportunity came along.

 

Grojean: In terms of moving forward, what are your immediate priorities for getting a new councilman?  

 

Rediger: Well, we have determined and communicated to citizens in Ward 6, anyone interested in city council to make their feelings known, and we've had four, at least, that have stepped forward verbally, and written, expressed interest in serving on our city council.

 

Grojean: So what is the process for getting a new councilman, and when is it preferred that they be in the office by?

 

Rediger: The process that we will be going through is, at our next meeting, August 7, we will be inviting any of those, or anyone in Ward 6, that would like to speak to council about their interest and their qualifications for serving on the city council to attend our August 7 meeting. Then council, at the next meeting, on August 21, the intention is to make that apportionment by council to that term that will expire April of ‘18. The one thing that we emphasize is: this does not preclude them, whoever’s selected, from running for a full term for the April ‘18 through April ‘22 full term. So they can do that. This is kind of a trial run opportunity; they can see how they like it, what the time obligations are. If they feel comfortable, they can elect to run for elections for the next term.

 

Grojean: When will the temporary replacement begin their duties on the council?

 

Rediger: We intend to make that appointment on August 21, and we’ll actually seat them on the council that evening, August 21. So it’ll be immediate.

 

Grojean: Is there anything else you would like to say on behalf of Dr. Bowen's service to our city?

 

Rediger: Just again, say congratulations on the career move, and advancement. And many many thanks, as I say, in representing all of our citizens in Ward 6, and all of our citizens of Cape Girardeau, for a time well served, and for his service to our community.

 

Grojean: Thank you so much Mr. mayor.

 

Rediger: Very good, thank you.