CAPE CHAMBER GIVES 'THREE-MINUTE SURVEY'

Availability of competent workers, business retention and expansion of local companies, combating crime, downtown vitality, economic development/recruiting and education are among the items on the list of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's "Three-Minute Survey," which has been sent to the organization's more than 1,200 members.

The fifth annual survey is important, says John Mehner, president of the local chamber of commerce.

The survey polls the membership's feelings on numerous chamber and community issues and serves as a sounding board for the chamber to hear members' ideas.

The Board of Directors use the survey to decide its priorities for the upcoming year, said Mehner.

The survey ask a variety of question, ranging from what members rate as the most important issues the chamber should work on during the next year, to rating the chamber's performance.

"It's important that we carry out the wishes of the membership," said Mehner. "Therefore, it is very important for us to hear from the members."

The survey should be returned to the chamber no later than Dec. 28, 1998.

About a quarter of the chamber's members returned the survey last year.

Four questions are involved in the survey:

Three of them are can be answered quickly:

-- How long have you been a chamber member?.

-- What is total employment of your company?

-- What is the local issue that friends, family and co-workers are talking about?

The fourth question asks members to rate issues as high, moderate or low priority.

Issues include:

-- Availability of competent workers.

-- Business retention and expansion of local firms.

-- Combating crime.

-- Downtown vitality.

-- Economic development/recruiting new industry.

-- Education (K-12)

-- Education (Higher).

-- Governmental/Legislative Affairs (local, state, national).

-- Growth (population/annexation, etc.

-- Health Care (affordability & quality).

-- Housing (diversity & affordability)

-- Infrastructure/streets/sewers/utilities.

-- Transportation (including airport)

-- Vision 2020.

-- Welfare to work issues.

A number of areas are listed to rate the chamber's performance on topics including business services, governmental affairs, leadership roles on pertinent issues, newsletters and other means of communication, and community-based economic development.