Few voters showed up at the polls in Cape Girardeau on Tuesday, but those who did chose to shoot down the city’s bow hunting season. It was the first time voters repealed a city ordinance through a referendum.
Of the 2,764 voters who cast a ballot, 54% voted in favor of repealing the ordinance that would establish a bow hunting season for deer within city limits.
Stephen Stigers led the bow hunting opposition. He feels good about the victory.
“I think so many people realized that this was an important choice, and violence and cruelty are never good choices,” Stigers said.
Also on Tuesday’s ballot, Adrian Toole and Jeff Glenn won election to the Cape Girardeau School Board and GeorgeanneSyler, Michael Wulfers and Emily Tuschoff Collins were elected to the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center board.
Wayne Bowen won an uncontested race to fill Kathy Swan’s seat on the Cape Girardeau City Council. He hopes to focus on economic development and public safety.
“I’ve been happy to see the city is now looking at the police station, which is an old facility that does need updating and replacing,” Bowen said. “There’s been some success at adding some equipment at the fire department, but I think those are some areas we can look at.”
In Jackson, Mark Dambach won the only contested race for alderman.