BOARD DECIDES NOT TO HOLD MEETINGS ON RIVERBOAT GAMBLING

The Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Committee has decided not to sponsor a series of three informational programs to discuss riverboat gambling prior to the issue being voted upon here in June.

Bob Hoppmann, chairman of the group, said during a board meeting at City Hall Wednesday, "We want to emphasize, however, that the town-hall concept for these meetings was for information only, and not an endorsement for or against the issue by the CVB."

Hoppmann said that although it is legal to use tax funds to present educational (or factual) meetings, it might be better for another entity to sponsor the sessions.

The CVB a month ago approved a motion to present three informational meetings at a cost not to exceed $1,500.

Following that action a number of Cape Girardeau citizens questioned using tax money to present the programs.

"I had a number of calls the day after the motion was approved," said Bob Hendrix, president of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. "A lot of people may not understand that these were to be educational meetings and don't feel that city funds should be involved."

In other action Wednesday, the advisory group approved CVB Director Lyn Muzzey's request to pursue a new video for the bureau and heard staff member Cathy Crites report on the new "Rush Limbaugh Home Town Ditto Kit" being prepared by the CVB.

Hoppmann also announced that May 17 had been established for a noon luncheon between Cape Girardeau City Council members and CVB advisory board members. The luncheon will be held at the Holiday Inn.

Muzzy reported that he had been in touch with an Alton, Ill., firm about producing a new tourism video on Cape Girardeau.

"I have viewed some of the company's work," Muzzy told the group. "The firm's staff did a great job with a video for Hannibal."

Cost of the new video would range between $6,000 and $6,500 for a seven-to-eight-minute tape, said Muzzy. "That is way under other estimates we have."

Muzzy said the tape could be funded from this year's budget. "We can cut down on some other advertising funds to fit it in the budget," he said.

Crites explained that the Limbaugh kit came up as a result of several telephone calls requesting information about Limbaugh, a major talk-show host.

"We're putting together a kit which will include a hand-fan with Limbaugh's picture, a bumper sticker, and information concerning Limbaugh," said Crites.

"We promote Limbaugh as an entertainer," said Muzzy, who encounters questions about the Cape Girardeau native during his travels to travel and tourism shows. "The Limbaugh Kit is a great idea."

The CVB will present its annual budget proposal to the Cape Girardeau City Council during the May 17 luncheon.