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NewsSeptember 18, 1991

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors has endorsed the proposal for the city's purchase of the Cape Girardeau water system from Union Electric. The action followed a presentation to the board by Assistant City Manager Al Stoverink during the chamber board's quarterly "open" meeting, held at the Show Me Center at Southeast Missouri State University Tuesday...

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors has endorsed the proposal for the city's purchase of the Cape Girardeau water system from Union Electric.

The action followed a presentation to the board by Assistant City Manager Al Stoverink during the chamber board's quarterly "open" meeting, held at the Show Me Center at Southeast Missouri State University Tuesday.

The Chamber board also voted Tuesday to include the presentation of a "Small Business of the Year" award at its annual dinner meeting in February; announced the new nominating committee for directors; approved eight new members into the Chamber; and heard reports on the upcoming Industrial Dinner and a new Leadership Cape session.

The Cape Girardeau City Council has placed an $11.8 million bond issue on the November ballot to allow voters to decide whether the city should purchase the water system. Stoverink explained that the bond issue includes $8.5 million for purchase of the system, and addition funds for operating costs and system improvements.

He told the board there were five primary reasons for citizen ownership of the water system:

Local control of a public service.

Lowest cost to Cape Girardeau citizens.

Local control of future development.

Local control of system improvements.

Positive impact on economic development efforts.

Using map graphics and slides, Stoverink traced the water system in the city, showing areas where improvements were needed and sites of future development.

"The water system is going to be sold," said Stoverink. "If the city doesn't buy it, somebody else will."

He explained that under existing Public Service Commission rules, a private company could increase the current average residential bill by 49.4 percent, from $13.20 a month to $19.71.

"By contrast, we feel a 3 percent increase 40 cents a month which would increase the rate to $13.60 will cover our costs the first year," he said. Stoverink added that a three percent increase may be necessary each year.

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Fourteen of the 16 board members present voted for the purchase plan.

The Chamber board voted unanimously to add a "Small Business of the Year" honor to its February dinner/dance meeting.

Steve Jackson, chairman of the Small Business Awards Committee, proposed the award.

"Criteria for eligibility for the award is that the business be locally owned, in operation at least five years, and have 150 or less employees," said Jackson. "The business must also be a member of the Chamber."

Jackson said that a number of factors would enter into the final selections: financial soundness and profitability, business growth, employee relations, innovations in product or service, customer satisfaction, and civic and business leadership of owners and employees.

Another big chamber award, "Commitment to Excellence," will be presented Oct. 3 during the Industrial Appreciation Dinner, to be held at the Show Me Center.

"We had more than 900 people at the dinner last year," said Johnny Ray Conklin of the Industrial Relations Council. "We're hoping for that many, or more, this year."

Tickets are $20 each, and tables for eight may be reserved, said Conklin.

In connection with the dinner, the Industrial Appreciation Golf Tournament will be held Sept. 30 at the Cape Girardeau Country Club.

John Grimm told the board that plans are now under way for a new Leadership Cape session.

"We had 32 members in the last class," said Grimm. "We feel that this is a valuable program, and provides a valuable experience for participants."

Additional information is available by contacting the Chamber office.

Judy Wilferth will chair the new nominating committee. Other members are Joe Gambill, Dennis Marchi, Michael Kohlfeld, Harry Rediger and Charles Haubold Jr.

"If any member of the chamber has someone he wants to nominate, they should contact a member of the nominating committee," said Harry Rust, chairman of the board.

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