Cape Girardeau mayoral candidates debate priorities ahead of April 7 election

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — Voters in Cape Girardeau heard directly from the two candidates running for mayor Friday morning during the Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday Coffee event at the Century Casino Event Center.

Current Mayor Stacey Kinder and former Ward 4 City Councilman Robbie Guard discussed their visions for the city and answered questions just weeks before the April 7 election.

Kinder said she wants to continue the work already underway in Cape Girardeau and argued the city should not return to past leadership approaches.

“I think my opponent is a return to the past ways of doing things that didn’t always work very well,” Kinder said. “We cannot afford to go back to a leadership model that avoids the tough things.”

Kinder also raised concerns about what she described as behind-the-scenes conversations within the city council.

“I have been told by many people who were in those dinners and private conversations… that’s where a lot is discussed,” Kinder said. “That is the opposite of transparency.”

During the debate, moderators asked candidates what leadership decisions they would handle differently if given another opportunity.

Guard pointed to a 2023 decision by the Cape Girardeau City Council to donate $600,000 annually to Southeast Missouri State University for stadium renovations. Both candidates were serving on the council at the time.

Guard said residents should have been involved earlier in the discussion.

“I thought the process, the way that we handled it, I think we got it wrong,” Guard said. “We should have talked to residents. We should have brought them in, and then we should have voted on it.”

Guard added that being willing to adjust when things don’t go as planned is part of his leadership approach.

“I’m self-aware enough that whenever things fail, we gotta change,” Guard said.

Both candidates also made their case directly to voters during closing statements.

“Proof is in the pudding,” Guard said. “The city council needs to manage the city manager and not the city manager managing the council. So that’s the type of leader I am. I roll up my sleeves and I get it done.”

Kinder told voters she hopes to continue the progress already underway in the city.

“As I said before, I’d love to see that work continue,” Kinder said. “Cape voters, you have a very clear choice in this election.”

The election for Cape Girardeau mayor is scheduled for April 7.