Good ideas

Each year, participants in Leadership Cape are divided into teams that identify and come up with a working plan for projects to improve the city. The four teams from the Class of 2010 presented their projects at the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee earlier this month. As usual, the plans provided food for thought.

This year's plans: A Mardi Gras celebration, a junior leadership program at Central High School, an ice rink for Capaha Park and a "passport" for visitors promoting local attractions, hotels and restaurants.

Team members said a Mardi Gras event celebrating Cape Girardeau's French heritage could give the local economy a $350,000 boost. The junior leadership program would be part of an existing class at Central High School. An ice rink could be used by a youth hockey league and a minor-league hockey team. And Passport Cape would promote local businesses that cater to tourism.

Which of these ideas will catch on? It's too early to tell. But these concepts, like those of previous Leadership Cape classes, have given us something to consider. As an exercise, the proposals give participants some idea of what it takes to coordinate and promote worthwhile city endeavors.